The American Cheese Society announced the winning cheeses for 2010 at its 27th annual competition, held this year in Seattle. Thirteen Vermont cheesemakers were awarded 36 total ribbons at the largest competition for specialty and artisanal cheeses from North America.

Two of the prizes went to Randolph's Neighborly Farms of Vermont.

Two Vermont cheeses earned special recognition in the final round of judging, where all blueribbon winners are evaluated head-to-head for "Best of Show."

Vermont Butter & Cheese Creamery's Bonne Bouche, from Websterville, earned second place overall, while third place went to Spring Brook Farm Tarentaise from Farms For City Kids Foundation of Reading.

With a record-setting 225 producers from 34 states, Canada and Mexico, an international panel of 30 judges took on the monumental task of evaluating 1,462 cheeses and dairy products.

Vermont fared particularly well. In addition to the two Best of Show recipients, four others captured blue ribbons, including Cabot Creamery Cooperative with four and one each for Grafton Village Cheese Company and Ploughgate Creamery. Blue ribbon entries from both Ploughgate and Cabot Creamery were made collaboratively with The Cellars at Jasper Hill.

Multiple ribbons were earned by Cabot Creamery (13), and Vermont Butter & Cheese Creamery (6) plus the second place in Best of Show.

Neighborly Farms' prizes were a second place in organic clotdhbound cheddar, and third place in organic Monterey jack cheese.