Rich Rogers, Cheesemonger and Proprietor of Scardello Artisan Cheese, has served this year as the American Cheese Society (ACS) Chair of the Judging and Competition Committee. Each year of the two-year term culminates in the premier cheese competition held in the Americas in conjunction with the ACS Annual Conference. This year the conference was held July 29-30 in Richmond, Virginia.
Rogers’ volunteered for the American Cheese Society Competition for two years before joining the Judging and Competition Committee in 2013. In the two years prior to becoming committee chair, Rogers’ has served as the Vice-Chair of the Judging and Competition committee, regularly participating in weekly meetings throughout the year to plan and execute the ACS cheese competition. Working alongside Rogers is Scardello Cheesemonger and Operations Manager Lance Lynn, who has been appointed as Vice Chair of the ACS Education Committee, providing its members, industry professionals and cheese enthusiasts with educational resources at the annual conference and throughout the year.
Rogers’ is proud to have the opportunity to share his expertise and serve on the committee. The ACS Judging & Competition, the largest competition of its kind, is held each year in conjunction with the ACS Annual Conference.
“It is a privilege to work with a team of dedicated volunteers who give their time and energy for one purpose, to honor the hard work of our cheesemakers and help them improve their craft,” Rogers said.
This committee is responsible for determining all criteria for the cheeses entered into the competition by ACS member cheesemakers. The committee determines the roster of judges and their compensation, the categories of cheeses, the judging processes, scoring, reporting, and awards criteria. The committee also runs the Judging & Competition and Awards Ceremony, manages logistics, coordinates volunteers, and guides the production of a published awards brochure that is available on the ACS app and website.
There are many things that make this ACS Judging and competition unique including anonymity. All entrants’ products are judged anonymously and on their own merits, not against other entries. A team of two judges, one technical and one aesthetic score and comment on the cheese giving the producer feedback from two different and valuable perspectives. The scores received then place each product competition leading to potential awards and finally the Best of Show award. Many cheesemakers enter primarily for the chance to receive feedback from the judges. American Cheese Society membership is constantly growing to provide the cheese industry with educational recourses and encouraging the highest standard of cheesemaking possible. For more information visit www.cheesesociety.org
About Scardello Artisan Cheese
Scardello Artisan Cheese offers traditionally made, handcrafted foods, with approximately 150 cut-to-order small-production cheeses from Europe, all across America and the great state of Texas, plus charcuterie, artisan breads, spreads and wine and beer. ScardelloOak Lawn is located at 3511 Oak Lawn Avenue, Dallas, Texas 75219 and the phone number is 214.219.1300. The shop is open Monday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sunday from 1 to 6 p.m. Scardello Farmers Market is located at 920 S. Harwood #131, Dallas, Texas 75201 and the phone number is 214.238.2312. The shop is open Monday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., Friday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. For additional information, please visit www.scardellocheese.com.