The Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association (WCMA), Madison, Wis., announced a break with tradition, as it plans to host the World Championship Cheese Contest in February 2021.

The competition, the world’s largest technical evaluation of cheeses, butter, yogurt and dairy ingredients from around the world, set a new record for participation in March 2020, WCMA said. Its paired event, CheeseExpo, was postponed in April 2020, and WCMA is bringing both events back in 2021.

“Our utmost concern is the health and safety of our industry, so we have moved CheeseExpo to April 2021 and plan to host again its natural partner, the World Championship Cheese Contest, a few weeks ahead of this international trade exposition,” said John Umhoefer, WCMA’s executive director.

The World Championship Cheese Contest will be held Feb. 17-19, 2021, at the Wisconsin Center in Milwaukee. The contest’s crowning reception, Cheese Champion, will be held the evening of Friday, Feb. 19 at the Italian Community Center in Milwaukee, WCMA said. Complete entry details will be available Aug. 18 at WorldChampionCheese.org, followed by online entry opening Oct. 14.

CheeseExpo will be held April 6-8, 2021, also at the Wisconsin Center in Milwaukee.

“CheeseExpo draws more than 4,000 dairy processing industry professionals from all over the world to Wisconsin for educational seminars, interactive displays of equipment, unparalleled networking opportunities and a jubilant salute to the world’s best cheesemakers,” said Judy Keller, WCMA’s events director. “We are thrilled to be able to keep these events — and the people who join in them — connected.”

WCMA said it plans to hold the U.S. Championship Cheese Contest and the nationally focused Cheese Industry Conference again in 2022. Learn more at WorldChampionCheese.org and CheeseExpo.org.