<strong>World Cheese Awards:</strong> This year's event was held in Newport, Wales. It was originally to be staged in Kyiv, Ukraine, but the venue was shifted because of the Russian invasion.
World Cheese Awards: This year's event was held in Newport, Wales. It was originally to be staged in Kyiv, Ukraine, but the venue was shifted because of the Russian invasion.
Barry Neild/CNN
<strong>On song: </strong>Some 250 international judges were tasked with tasting and evaluating the cheeses. Here, Tom Chatfield and Kazuaki Tomiyama try their first few of about 50 cheeses. "Some cheeses have a song that keeps on going," says Chatfield.
On song: Some 250 international judges were tasked with tasting and evaluating the cheeses. Here, Tom Chatfield and Kazuaki Tomiyama try their first few of about 50 cheeses. "Some cheeses have a song that keeps on going," says Chatfield.
Barry Neild/CNN
<strong>Field of cheese:</strong> More than 4,400 cheeses from 42 countries were entered into this year's contest.
Field of cheese: More than 4,400 cheeses from 42 countries were entered into this year's contest.
Barry Neild/CNN
<strong>Fromage flowers:</strong> The cheeses came in all sorts of shapes, sizes, styles and colors.
Fromage flowers: The cheeses came in all sorts of shapes, sizes, styles and colors.
Barry Neild/CNN
<strong>Judging criteria: </strong>The judges evaluated each cheese for its visual appearance, aroma, flavor and "mouthfeel."
Judging criteria: The judges evaluated each cheese for its visual appearance, aroma, flavor and "mouthfeel."
Barry Neild/CNN
<strong>Going for gold: </strong>The best cheeses were awarded bronze, silver or gold status. Each of the 98 groups of judges also picked a "super gold" cheese from their assigned cheeses. Of these, 16 went into a final judging round.
Going for gold: The best cheeses were awarded bronze, silver or gold status. Each of the 98 groups of judges also picked a "super gold" cheese from their assigned cheeses. Of these, 16 went into a final judging round.
Barry Neild/CNN
<strong>Works of art:</strong> Did Jackson Pollock paint this cheese? Either way, it's a masterpiece -- awarded gold status.
Works of art: Did Jackson Pollock paint this cheese? Either way, it's a masterpiece -- awarded gold status.
Barry Neild/CNN
<strong>Rainbow colors: </strong>The judges tried this unusual purple cheese so that we don't have to. It didn't make the grade.
Rainbow colors: The judges tried this unusual purple cheese so that we don't have to. It didn't make the grade.
Barry Neild/CNN
<strong>Messy moments: </strong>Australian cheese maker Kris Lloyd, left, and her fellow judges double check their choice for "super gold." "You can tell when someone starts off with really good milk and doesn't mess with it," she said. "But we've seen a lot of messing this morning."
Messy moments: Australian cheese maker Kris Lloyd, left, and her fellow judges double check their choice for "super gold." "You can tell when someone starts off with really good milk and doesn't mess with it," she said. "But we've seen a lot of messing this morning."
Barry Neild/CNN
<strong>Ukrainian cheeses: </strong>The contest included 39 Ukrainian entries. The country sent a delegation, which also offered samples including an unusual jet black cheddar.
Ukrainian cheeses: The contest included 39 Ukrainian entries. The country sent a delegation, which also offered samples including an unusual jet black cheddar.
Barry Neild/CNN
<strong>Palate cleanser: </strong>Between cheeses, the judges used slices of apples to cleanse their palates.
Palate cleanser: Between cheeses, the judges used slices of apples to cleanse their palates.
Barry Neild/CNN
<strong>Tools of the trade:</strong> These "irons" are used like corkscrews to bore samples out of larger cheeses.
Tools of the trade: These "irons" are used like corkscrews to bore samples out of larger cheeses.
Barry Neild/CNN
<strong>Finding a winner: </strong>Emma Young and her fellow judges inspect a fruity Spanish cheese, which earns their first gold award of the morning.
Finding a winner: Emma Young and her fellow judges inspect a fruity Spanish cheese, which earns their first gold award of the morning.
Barry Neild/CNN
<strong>Tough job:</strong> After sampling so many cheeses, some judges said they experienced a "cheese high" and "the sweats."
Tough job: After sampling so many cheeses, some judges said they experienced a "cheese high" and "the sweats."
Barry Neild/CNN