Looking for an excuse to get together with friends and enjoy some wine and cheese? Host a Cheese Judging Party with a variety of cheeses and let your friends pick their favorites. I’m excited to be working with Kraft’s Cracker Barrel Cheeses on a variety of entertaining ideas like this one! Read on for tips and ideas for hosting your own Cheese Judging Party! Let’s get started shall we?

How to Host a Cheese Judging Party

• Cheese Varities: This is my #1 because you can’t host a cheese judging party without a variety of fantastic cheeses. I chose several of my favorite Cracker Barrel Cheeses including baby swiss, jalapeno, extra sharp cheddar, and aged reserve. They’re award-winning and full of flavor so your guests will truly love them. Other faves to add? Blue cheese, feta, and brie! 
• Judging Stations: Give each guest a judging station. I used simple slate boards to hold the cheese along with a few accompaniments like dried pomegranates, arugula, pecans, honey, and crackers. These additions help cleanse the palate. Be sure each guest also has a glass of wine to sip along too.
• Be sure each guest knows the types of cheeses so they quickly judge away at their faves. Create a list or label them with toothpicks and little flags.
• Cheese judging is an art so make it easier on guests by providing them with a copy of the “Cracker Barrel Tasting Square” below. Click here to download the the PDF.

Here is a brief introduction into more detail of cheese styles by moisture. Most of my choices fall into the medium category but I encourage you to include cheeses from all 4 columns to give guests a wide variety!

Every cheese judging party needs a score sheet! This one divides choices by points and makes it very easy to determine the winner. I love all the details and room for comments.

I truly had a fabulous time judging away at the cheeses. What came out on top? The Aged Reserve by Cracker Barrel. It’s full of flavor without being overwhelming. It paired well with all the accompaniments including the wines. It’s rich and distinctly sharp with a clean, tangy dairy flavor. Tasty! Host your own cheese judging party and see which cheese comes out on top for you and your friends!

Disclaimer: I’m working together with Cracker Barrel Cheese to bring a variety of cheese recipes + party ideas to you. Though I am being compensated for my time + effort, the opinions above are my own.