Aged gouda crowned top U.S. cheese

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GREEN BAY, Wis., March 14 (UPI) -- A Wisconsin cheese maker's aged gouda was hailed as the best cheese in the country at the U.S. Championship Cheese Contest in Green Bay.

Marieke Pentermen, proprietor of Holland's Family Cheese of Thorp, Wis., was awarded the top prize Wednesday night at the Legends Club Room, Lambeau Field Atrium, the Green Bay Press-Gazette reported Thursday.

"Can't believe it, can't believe it," Pentermen said. "This is awesome."

A tarentaise from Spring Brook Farms in Reading, Vt., took second place in the contest and a medium cheddar by Team Cracker Barrel Natural Cheese, Agropur Weyauwega, Wis., placed third.

John Umhoefer, executive director of the Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association, said the event raised $14,000 for Paul's Pantry, a food charity founded in 1984 by Leo Frigo following his retirement as president of Frigo Cheese.

"We had a great night," Umhoefer said. "We had about 250 people here from Green Bay to watch it and help out Paul's Pantry so we're very happy with it."