Self-taught cheesemaker from Skowhegan wins Super Gold and Bronze at the World Cheese Awards

Crooked Face Creamery’s Amy Rowbottom making her ricotta. (contributed photo)

Crooked Face Creamery, an artisan creamery based in Skowhegan, has received global recognition at the 37th annual World Cheese Awards in Bern, Switzerland. The small-batch creamery took home a coveted Super Gold award for its Plain Whole Milk Ricotta and a Bronze award for its Applewood Smoked Ricotta.

The World Cheese Awards, organized by the UK’s Guild of Fine Food, is the largest and most prestigious cheese-only competition in the world. This year’s event featured a record-breaking 5,244 cheeses from 46 countries, judged by a blind panel of 265 international cheese experts.

The Super Gold award is one of the competition’s highest honors, designating a cheese as one of the best in the world. Super Gold winners are selected by each judging team as the most outstanding cheese at their table, advancing it to the final round to be judged by a Super Jury of international judges and becoming a finalist for the title of World Champion Cheese. Crooked Face Creamery’s Plain Whole Milk Ricotta was one of 110 cheeses to receive this distinction, putting Crooked Face Creamery in the top two percent of the best cheeses in the world.

The World Cheese Awards brings together producers, retailers, buyers and food commentators from across the globe to celebrate excellence in cheesemaking. Crooked Face’s success highlights the growing reputation of American artisan cheese and the dedication of small producers who prioritize quality and traditional methods.

“For our small creamery in Skowhegan, Maine, to be recognized on the world stage, surrounded by centuries-old traditions, is a testament to the power of hard work and a deep love for this way of life,” said Crooked Face’s founder, Amy Rowbottom. “Being awarded Super Gold and Bronze at this year’s World Cheese Awards is a moment I will never forget. When I look at this award, I see not only the quality of our cheese and thousands of batches it’s taken to get here, but the quality of the people who make it all possible.”

Rowbottom, who is entirely self-taught, discovered her passion for cheesemaking in her late twenties. Over fifteen years of late nights and weekends at the stovetop, she refined her ricotta and other cheeses into celebrated, award-winning products.

“Amy is our hometown cheesemaker, and I feel so lucky to be able to enjoy her fresh ricotta each week,” said Amber Lambke, co-founder and CEO of Maine Grains, and owner of the Somerset Grist Mill, where Crooked Face’s cheese shop is located. “Our community is thrilled to see her receive recognition on the international stage among such accomplished cheesemakers from around the world!”

Phil Buchstaber, owner of Kάnu, in Old Town, said, “I’ve been so proud to introduce her cheeses in the dining rooms as ‘my friend Amy’s at Crooked Face Creamery.’ I have also met her cows and they are happy cows!” He added that he and his executive chef, Justin Bard, “Don’t like using any other ricotta. We’ve known she makes the best ricotta in the world for years now. It’s nice to hear the rest of the world say it, too.”