Summer Recipe Challenge
2009 Oregon's Best Winners
Sponsored by Dairy Farmers of Oregon

Last summer at county fairs and the Oregon State Fair, Oregonians used their culinary imaginations in the Delicious, Nutritious Summer Cheese Recipe Challenge, an Oregon's Best Contest sponsored by the Dairy Farmers of Oregon. 

Entrants were asked to create an original snack, salad, main dishes, side dishes and desserts that used a special blend of ingredients, and one or more of the delicious tasting cheeses produced in Oregon from the milk of Oregon dairy cows. 

Oregon’s dairy industry began 170 years ago with the settlement of the Oregon Country. Today it is composed of some 320 dairy farm families and 20 dairy processors who, with the help of 120,000 dairy cows, produce top-quality milk and award-winning cheeses and other dairy products.  The industry has responded to consumer needs and wishes by consistently providing an increasingly diverse line of dairy products. Nearly 60 percent of the state’s milk is sold as fluid; the remaining 40 percents goes into cheese, yogurt, sour cream, ice cream, butter and other cultured products. Dry milk and dry whey are also produced from Oregon milk.

Congratulations to All 2009 Oregon's Best Winners!

State Fair Winners
1st Place:
Frances Benthin, Scio, OR, Savory Cheese and Nut Tart

2nd Place:
Michelle Garrett, Salem, OR, Smoked Salmon Cheese Ball

3rd Place:
Laura Lange, Lebanon, OR, Rogue Blue Cheese-Pecan Crackers