Best Western American Food Producers
Rogue Creamery was founded in 1933 in Oregon, and has since become a recognized name in the cheese industry, specializing in organic, hand-crafted cheeses with a particular focus on blue cheeses. The creamery has maintained high standards of quality over the years and has built an outstanding reputation in the United States and worldwide.
Rogue Creamery is committed to sustainability, with its business model based on environmentally responsible practices. The creamery uses only milk from local farms that meet strict organic production standards. The milk used for their cheeses comes from farms that practice sustainable agricultural methods.
AWARDS

World Cheese Awards - Super Gold
2022

World Cheese Awards - Gold
2021

International Cheese Awards - Gold
2024, 2023
BEST Rogue Creamery Cheeses
Fra' Mani is a distinguished producer of premium charcuterie, based in Berkeley, California, and founded in 2006 by renowned chef and cookbook author Paul Bertolli. Inspired by Italian flavors, techniques, and traditions, Fra' Mani is dedicated to preserving time-honored culinary customs through its products.
Their philosophy is based on the belief that time is the key ingredient in crafting exceptional products and that flavor cannot be rushed. Fra' Mani uses only the highest quality ingredients, sourced from family farms committed to the land, animals, and people, without the use of antibiotics, artificial growth hormones, or meat by-products.
BEST Fra’ Mani Meat Products
Beecher's Handmade Cheese, established in 2003, is renowned for its artisanal cheesemaking in the heart of Seattle's Pike Place Market. The company was founded by Kurt Beecher Dammeier and quickly became known for its commitment to quality and natural ingredients, producing cheese free from artificial preservatives and flavor enhancers.
Beecher's is particularly famous for its Flagship cheese, a semi-hard cow's milk cheese noted for its robust, nutty flavor that is carefully aged for 15 months to develop its complex character. Beecher's operates transparently with a glass-walled facility that allows visitors to watch the cheesemaking process, emphasizing educational outreach and community engagement.
AWARDS

World Championship Cheese Contest - Best of Class
2024, 2022

World Cheese Awards - Gold
2024, 2023, 2021

American Cheese Society Judging & Competition Awards - 1st Place
2024, 2023, 2022, 2019, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2007
BEST Beecher's Handmade Cheese Cheeses
Lucero Olive Oil is a producer based in Northern California, particularly in Corning, known for its high-quality extra virgin olive oils. The company was founded by the Lucero family, who have been growing olives for several generations. Lucero offers a variety of olive oil products including flavored oils and balsamic vinegars.
They operate a mill that processes their olives within hours of harvesting to ensure freshness. Visitors can also tour their facilities and participate in tastings.
AWARDS

Olive Japan - Gold
2023, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013

EVO IOOC - Gold Medal
2018, 2017

Terraolivo IOOC - Grand Prestige Gold
2018, 2014
BEST Lucero Olive Oil Olive Oils
Lucini Italia is an olive oil producer that sources olives primarily from Italy. Its products are known for being made from hand-picked olives and pressed within 24 hours to ensure freshness. Lucini Italia offers a variety of Extra Virgin Olive Oils, which are often praised for their rich flavor and quality.
The company also produces a range of balsamic vinegars and other gourmet food products.
AWARDS

NYIOOC - Gold
2023

Olive Japan - Gold
2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2016, 2015, 2014

Terraolivo IOOC - Grand Prestige Gold
2022, 2021, 2019, 2018, 2014
BEST Lucini Italia Olive Oils
Corto Olive Co. is an olive oil producer based in Lodi, California. The company specializes in producing high-quality, fresh olive oil primarily for culinary professionals. Corto Olive Co. employs sustainable agricultural practices and uses advanced milling technology to ensure the quality and freshness of their olive oils.
They are known for their innovative approach to olive oil storage, utilizing packaging designed to keep the oil fresh longer.
AWARDS

Olive Japan - Gold
2023, 2022, 2020, 2017, 2016

EVO IOOC - Gold Medal
2023, 2022, 2020

London IOOC - Gold
2023, 2022
BEST Corto Olive Olive Oils
Cypress Grove is a cheese producer that specializes in goat cheese varieties. The company began with a few goats to provide milk for her children. Cypress Grove gained popularity with its flagship product, Humboldt Fog, a soft-ripened cheese with a distinctive layer of edible ash.
The company has expanded its product line to include other types of fresh and aged goat cheeses.
AWARDS

World Championship Cheese Contest - Best of Class
2024, 2022, 2020, 2014, 2010

World Cheese Awards - Gold
2024, 2023

World Cheese Awards - Super Gold
2024, 2022
BEST Cypress Grove Cheeses
Bellwether Farms, located in Petaluma, California, is a family-owned creamery that produces a variety of artisan cheeses and dairy products. They are known for using traditional methods and primarily sheep's milk, along with cow's milk, to create their products.
Bellwether Farms also offers a line of yogurts alongside their cheeses.
AWARDS

American Cheese Society Judging & Competition Awards - 1st Place
2024, 2023, 2022, 2019, 2018, 2016, 2013, 2010, 2009, 2004, 2003
BEST Bellwether Farms Cheeses
The Olive Press is an olive oil producer located in Sonoma, California. It was established in 1995 and is known for offering a variety of extra virgin olive oils and balsamic vinegars. The Olive Press operates both a mill and a tasting room where visitors can sample and purchase their products.
They also produce flavored olive oils and offer tours and educational experiences related to olive oil production.
AWARDS

Terraolivo IOOC - Grand Prestige Gold
2019, 2014

Terraolivo IOOC - Prestige Gold
2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014

Olive Japan - Gold
2014, 2013, 2012
BEST The Olive Press Olive Oils
Harley Farms, located in Pescadero, California, is a goat dairy farm that produces a variety of award-winning goat cheeses. The farm spans nine acres and houses a herd of over 200 Alpine goats, from which the milk is sourced for cheese production.
Harley Farms offers a selection of cheeses including chevre, fromage blanc, ricotta, and feta, as well as farm tours and events for visitors.
AWARDS

American Cheese Society Judging & Competition Awards - 1st Place
2009, 2008, 2007, 2006, 2004, 2003, 2001, 2000
BEST Harley Farms, Inc. Cheeses
Best Western American Food Products
Lucini Premium Select Extra Virgin Olive Oil is a high-quality product crafted by Lucini Italia. Renowned for its robust and well-balanced flavor, this olive oil is made from 100% Italian olives harvested at their peak. The production process involves cold pressing the olives within 24 hours of harvest to ensure the maximum retention of flavors and nutrients.
Lucini Italia emphasizes sustainable farming practices and careful selection of olives to maintain the premium quality of their olive oil. It is often used in gourmet cooking and appreciated for its fresh, fruity aroma and slight peppery finish.
AWARDS

Olive Japan - Gold
2022

Terraolivo IOOC - Grand Prestige Gold
2021, 2019, 2014

Terraolivo IOOC - Prestige Gold
2018, 2016, 2015
Marco Polo Reserve from Beecher's Handmade Cheese is a unique cheese that incorporates both green and black cracked peppercorns, adding a distinct peppery zest to its profile. This cheese is traditionally cloth-bound and aged in open air, which intensifies its flavor by reducing moisture and enhancing its salty and rich notes.
The texture is slightly crumbly due to the aging process, and it has a robust flavor that combines nutty, earthy tones with a tangy finish. Marco Polo Reserve has been recognized in several cheese competitions, winning awards at both the American Cheese Society and the World Cheese Awards, affirming its high quality and distinctive taste.
AWARDS

World Cheese Awards - Gold
2024, 2021

American Cheese Society Judging & Competition Awards - 1st Place
2022, 2016, 2014, 2012, 2011
AWARDS

Olive Japan - Gold
2018

Terraolivo IOOC - Prestige Gold
2018, 2016, 2015

Terraolivo IOOC - Gran Prestige Gold
2017
Tranquilidad, Bolivia 70% Dark is a chocolate bar produced by LetterPress Chocolate. It is known for its unique flavor profile derived from cacao beans sourced from the Tranquilidad Estate in Bolivia. This specific region is celebrated for its high-quality cacao, which contributes to the distinct taste of the chocolate.
The bar typically includes tasting notes that highlight a blend of fruity and nutty undertones, making it a popular choice among dark chocolate enthusiasts.
AWARDS

Academy of Chocolate - Gold
2022, 2021, 2020
AWARDS

Terraolivo IOOC - Prestige Gold
2018, 2016

Terraolivo IOOC - Gran Prestige Gold
2017, 2015

Terraolivo IOOC - Best of Country
2015
Stranahan's Diamond Peak is an annual limited-release American single malt whiskey that showcases unique cask finishes. The 2024 edition, known as the Caribbean Rum Cask, is crafted from a blend of six to nine-year-old Stranahan's whiskey, initially aged in virgin American oak barrels.
This whiskey is then finished in select rum casks from the Caribbean islands of the Dominican Republic, Barbados, and Martinique, imparting rich and complex flavors. Bottled at 90 proof (45% ABV), it offers tasting notes of dried apricot and crème brûlée on the nose, bright tropical fruit flavors against a backdrop of brown sugar on the palate, and a viscous, nuanced sweetness with a hint of cola spice on the finish.
AWARDS

SFWSC - San Francisco World Spirits Competition - Double Gold
2024, 2023

The American Whiskey Masters - Master
2023

NYWSC - New York World Spirits Competition - Gold
2023
AWARDS

Terraolivo IOOC - Prestige Gold
2021

EVO IOOC - Gold Medal
2020

OLIVINUS - TOP 20
2020
AWARDS

Terraolivo IOOC - Grand Prestige Gold
2021

EVO IOOC - Gold Medal
2020

Terraolivo IOOC - Best of Country
2021
Marinated Labneh by Brush Creek Creamery is a handcrafted, creamy cheese made from strained yogurt, creating a thick, spreadable consistency. This labneh is marinated in high-quality olive oil, infused with aromatic herbs such as rosemary, thyme, and sometimes spices like garlic or pepper.
The marination process enriches the cheese with a tangy, savory flavor and a luscious texture. Known for its versatility, Brush Creek Creamery’s Marinated Labneh pairs beautifully with fresh bread, crackers, or as a topping for salads, making it a delightful gourmet addition to any meal.
AWARDS

American Cheese Society Judging & Competition Awards - 1st Place
2022, 2018, 2017, 2016
Pepato is an aged sheep milk cheese made by Bellwether Farms. This farmstead cheese incorporates whole peppercorns for a distinctive, savory flavor. Pepato is aged for a minimum of 2 months, during which it develops a firm yet creamy texture and a complex taste profile.
The presence of peppercorns adds a subtle spiciness that complements the natural richness of the sheep milk. Pepato can be enjoyed on a cheese board, grated over dishes, or paired with various wines and accompaniments.
AWARDS

American Cheese Society Judging & Competition Awards - 1st Place
2018, 2013, 2009, 2004














TasteAtlas food rankings are based on the ratings of the TasteAtlas audience, with a series of mechanisms that recognize real users and that ignore bot, nationalist or local patriotic ratings, and give additional value to the ratings of users that the system recognizes as knowledgeable. For the “Top 100 Western American Foods” list until March 27, 2025, 7,585 ratings were recorded, of which 6,727 were recognized by the system as legitimate. TasteAtlas Rankings should not be seen as the final global conclusion about food. Their purpose is to promote excellent local foods, instill pride in traditional dishes, and arouse curiosity about dishes you haven’t tried.