Karoun Dairies, Inc. of Turlock took home gold this year plus three 4th places and a 5th place award at the U.S. Championship Cheese Contest, hosted by the Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association.
Karoun won the gold for its Oaxaca (hand-braided string cheese) in the Hispanic Cheese category. A record-setting 1,702 entries from 30 states took part in the United States Championship Cheese Contest, held in March.
Karoun also won fourth place for its feta with kalamata and thyme, marinated string cheese and smoked string cheese; and fifth for its queso fresco.
Founded in 1992, Karoun Dairies, Inc. is a family business that adheres to centuries of yogurt and cheese making traditions. The company has grown from producing small-run specialty cheeses, to nationwide mainstream distribution of a wide variety of cheese and yogurt products.
Karoun has an international story, as the Baghdassarian family immigrated to the United States from Lebanon in 1990 to pursue the American dream and a passion for the art and science of yogurt and cheesemaking.
"As a family business that is living the American dream, all of us at Karoun Dairies, Inc. take great pride in creating and manufacturing the most delicious, best quality all natural cheeses on the market," said Rostom Baghdassarian, company COO in a statement. "Serving the Mediterranean, Indian, Middle Eastern, Hispanic and natural markets using old country methods and family recipes, we are proud to share delicious new options for a healthy and flavorful approach to cooking and eating."