Who can participate?
The competition is open to all Dutch cheese brands, including:
✔ Cheese producers
✔ Trading companies
✔ Retailers
As long as the cheese meets the official competition rules, participants can enter their finest cow or goat cheeses for a chance to claim the prestigious title.
The competition process
Each submitted cheese is carefully prepared and cut by cheese experts before being anonymously sent to Essensor—a specialized taste research company. Essensor conducts qualitative and quantitative taste analysis using a panel of over 800 trained consumers who evaluate the cheeses based on flavor, texture, and overall impression.
Every participant receives detailed jury feedback from Essensor, offering valuable insights into their cheese’s performance.
The final in Gouda
Only the top three cheeses per category advance to the highly anticipated final. Here, a panel of judges crowns the winners with gold, silver, and bronze awards. The winning cheeses earn the ultimate recognition as the tastiest in The Netherlands within their respective categories for an entire year!
The Gouda Cheese Awards is more than just a competition—it is a celebration of Dutch cheese heritage. Set against the backdrop of Gouda’s famous cheese market, this event attracts cheese lovers, producers, and traders from across The Netherlands and beyond. Whether you are a participant, a visitor, or a devoted cheese enthusiast, the Gouda Cheese Awards promises an unforgettable experience.
