Italian Cheese Awards 2026 Final Held at Ancona's Mole Vanvitelliana

The eleventh edition of the Italian Cheese Awards will conclude on Sunday 8 November 2026 at the Mole Vanvitelliana auditorium in Ancona. Thirty‑four cheeses selected from 13 Italian regions will be judged by a panel of experts, technical cheese operators and journalists, and the ceremony will begin at 17:00.

The competition features ten category awards – from Freschissimo to Erborinato – plus seven special prizes such as Best Milk Derivative and Cheese Bar of the Year. Winners receive a brass statuette. After the awards, the public can taste all finalists by reservation. The event is organized by the Associazione Rete del Turismo Caseario with the patronage of the Comune of Ancona; the Veneto region leads with eleven entries.

The final will also be streamed live on the award’s website, Facebook page and the Cheese Timer YouTube channel, allowing cheese enthusiasts nationwide to follow the verdicts.