Blue Jacket Dairy, 1434 County Road 11, Bellefontaine, received from the 2026 Ohio State Fair Cheese Competition three awards, which took place July 23 in Cleveland.

The local creamery's Garlic Cheese Curds won first place in the Cheese Curd Class.

“It's the flavor customers ask for by name - a fresh, squeaky curd made with local cow's milk and just enough garlic to keep people coming back for more,” cheesemaker and Blue Jacket Dairy co-owner Angel King said.

"We were thrilled to see our customer favorite flavor of cheese curds take first place.”

Silver Lake Chevre placed second in the Open Class for Other Mammal Milk. Made from goat milk sourced a few miles from the creamery, it's smooth, lightly tangy, and named for Silver Lake, the historic Harrison Township resort where generations of families once swam, boated, and gathered.

Lemon Jewel Quark took third place in the Spreadable Class. Made with whole cow's milk and real lemon zest, it's a bright, creamy spread that works as well on a bagel as it does over fresh berries.

Its name comes from These Are My Jewels, the first monument on the Ohio Statehouse grounds.

Jim and Angel King have run Blue Jacket Dairy since 2008, transforming local milk into great tasting cheese. Their cheese is sold at specialty stores, farmers’ markets, restaurants and cheese shops across Ohio, including several locations in Logan County.