Bon Appétit has released its preliminary list of America’s best new restaurants, a roster of 50 spots that will eventually be whittled down to the official Hot 10 (last year’s included Portland Monthly Destination of the Year 2014, Maurice). 

This year, perpetual Soviet drinking party Kachka (Portland Monthly’s Cuisine of the Year 2014), and breakfast sandwich phenom Milk Glass Mrkt join the lengthy list of candidates, as decided by restaurant editor Andrew Knowlton and senior editor Julia Kramer. On August 18, BA will announce the final Hot 10, a major accolade for any eatery.

Oregon cheeses took home several top prizes at the 2015 American Cheese Society Competition held in Providence, Rhode Island last week.

Of the 1,700 plus contenders, Oregon creameries were crowned for everything from cheese curds to queso fresco to yogurt. Face Rock Creamery out of Bandon proved their cheddar is literally better by taking first place in the Aged Cheddar (over 12 months) category, a highly competitive arena according to cheese authorities. Even closer to home, Portland’s Ancient Heritage Dairy took third for their Willow Creek, a raw milk cheese that is as beautiful as it is delicious. 

Oregon’s Award-Winners 

• Ancient Heritage Dairy, Portland, OR
• Tillamook County Creamery Association, Tillamook, OR
• Face Rock Creamery, Bandon, OR
• Rogue Creamery, Central Point, OR
• Ochoa Queseria, Albany, OR
• Briar Rose Creamery, Dundee, OR 
• Willamette Valley Cheese Company, Salem, OR 

For a full list of winners, visit: cheesejudging.org