World Cheese Awards confirms more than 4,000 entries from record 45 countries

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Oviedo is hosting this year's World Cheese Awards. Pic: Getty Images/LucVi

This year’s World Cheese Awards, to be held in Oviedo, Spain, has received entries from 45 different countries, the most in its history.

The event takes place November 3 as part of the Asturias Paraíso Natural International Cheese Festival 2021 at the Palacio de Exposiciones y Congresos.

Cheese from India, Guatemala, Japan, Colombia, Israel and Ukraine will line-up at the event alongisde 4,000 entries that will be blind-tasted in a single day at the Palacio de Exposiciones y Congresos. Bronze, Silver, Gold and Super Gold awards will be decided during the morning session, before the Top 16 are debated in front of a live audience to find this year’s World Champion Cheese.

World Cheese Awards 2021 in numbers:

• 4,079 entries

• 7.2% increase in entries from 2019

• Entries representing 45 countries from six continents

• 825 companies taking part

• 230 judges from more than 35 nations

• 10,000 visitors

• 100 exhibitors

The 33rd edition of the World Cheese Awards, organized by the Guild of Fine Food, will be the headline event at this year’s International Cheese Festival, run by the Instituto del Queso in partnership with the Principality of Asturias and the City Council of Oviedo.

The consumer and trade event will include an international cheese market, an exhibition showcasing the best food and drink from Asturias, a Gastro Cheese Comedy line-up and a schedule of forums and presentations that will consider the past, present and future of cheese.

The Parmigiano Reggiano Consortium, sponsors of the World Cheese Awards 2021, will also be running an online auction of a 21-year-old wheel of Parmigiano Reggiano. The wheel will be on show at the awards and the auction will be live from October 27 to November 6, with all proceeds donated to Parmigiano Reggiano’s chosen solidarity projects.