Hanna Lee makes history, as first American to win Young Cheesemonger of the Year

Hanna Lee from Uplands Cheese Company in Dodgeville, Wisconsin has become the first American to win Young Cheesemonger of the Year, run by the Academy of Cheese and sponsored by Peter’s Yard. Having been put forward for the competition by Cheese State University, Hanna took the title following a hotly contested three-hour final on Thursday 13 November, which took place at Festhalle Bern in Switzerland during the World Cheese Awards, with the runner-up prize going to Cián Ó Cinnéide from Ireland, who works at Neal's Yard Dairy at Borough Market in London.

Currently a Seasonal Cheesemaking Assistant at Uplands Cheese Company, where she contributes to the production and affinage of raw milk farmstead cheeses, Hanna’s career that has already spanned cheesemaking, retail management, and artisan product curation. Gaining experience across the speciality cheese sector, Hanna was previously on the Speciality Teams at Whole Foods Market in Colorado and Washington, a Market Manager at Dedalus Wine & Market in Boulder, and a Creamery Intern at Asgaard Farm and Dairy in New York, as well as being a two-time runner-up at The Cheesemonger Invitational in New York.

Reflecting on her latest achievement, Hanna Lee said:

“It's very exciting and unexpected, but coming into the competition it was so great to meet all the other Young Cheesemongers and show the excitement for cheese that we have in Wisconsin, as well as everything I’ve learned from Cheese State University, and just the incredible talent that we have in the US. There’s a really nice culture of young mongers coming up to represent us on a world stage, so I’m humbled to have taken that responsibility, and to join Emilia D'Albero – who became the first American to win best cheesemonger at Mondial du Fromage in France this year – as some of the top women in cheese coming out of the US right now. I’m especially grateful to the Wisconsin dairy farmers for funding cheesemonger education and making this opportunity possible.”

Following applications from up-and-coming cheesemongers across the world, the Academy of Cheese selected six finalists for Young Cheesemonger of the Year 2025, representing six different nations. In what was to become the closest run final in the competition’s history, the other four contestants included Emma Cachau from Fromagerie Chataigner in Paris, who was selected by La Fédération des Fromagers de France, Tori McDonald from Mellis Cheese in Edinburgh, Scotland, Magdalena Gruber from Mühltaler in Salzburg, Austria, and Harry English from La Fromagerie in Marylebone, London.

Featuring five rounds of judging, including cutting and wrapping, cheese identification, pairing with Peter’s Yard crackers, and the ‘MasterRind’ quiz, the competition was judged by some of the most established and respected names in the industry. The panel included cheesemonger and broadcaster, Morgan McGlynn Carr from Cheeses of Muswell Hill, cheesemonger and cheesemaker, Andy Swinscoe from The Courtyard Dairy, Ruth Raskin from The Fine Cheese Co., and Sarah Miness from Waitrose & Partners.

Commenting on his experience judging at Young Cheesemonger of the Year 2025, Andy Swinscoe said:

“The absolute quality of the finalists was incredible to see, a higher level than I think we’ve ever seen before. It was really hard to choose a winner, but what a bright future cheesemongering has, if this is what’s coming through.”

Tracey Colley, founding director of the Academy of Cheese, commented:

“The scores were so tight this year, which I think says everything you need to know about the standard of our finalists and how well Hanna performed to take the title of Young Cheesemonger of the Year 2025. The competition, supported so wonderfully by Peter’s Yard, is all about celebrating and nurturing professional development within the industry, and these six young cheese professionals have done their international peers proud, showcasing some incredible talent, knowledge, passion and pride in what they do. It’s a wonderful achievement for Hanna, and another great moment for the Cheese State University and the cheese community of Wisconsin, so huge congratulations to everyone involved.”

Visit the Academy of Cheese website for more information on Young Cheesemonger of the Year 2025.