Cheesemonger Invitational founder Adam Moskowitz, a New York cheese importer and hip-hop fanatic, hosted competitions testing skills such as cheese pairing, cheese wrapping and cheese cutting.

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Alex Armstrong, Nick Bayne, Quinn Kenworth and seven other cheesemongers create cheese pairings under time pressure at the Cheesemonger Invitational.

STEVE REMICH FOR THE WALL STREET JOURNAL

Steven Hall from Zingerman's Deli in Ann Arbor, Mich., talks about his favorite cheese at the Cheesemonger Invitational.

STEVE REMICH FOR THE WALL STREET JOURNAL

Neal Kennedy's creation for the ‘Perfect Bite’ competition at the Cheesemonger Invitational is made with French Chabichou du Poitou goat cheese dipped in Valrhona 68% dark chocolate and coated with Effie's oat cakes.

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Rachael Faulds and Jen Roit cheer on competitors in the final cheese-themed contest pairing cheese and beer.

STEVE REMICH FOR THE WALL STREET JOURNAL

Joseph Ciardullo of C'est Cheese tries to cut a block of cheese into exactly one-third pound sections.

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Nick Bayne and Quinn Kenworth watch as cheese sections are weighed to see if they are exactly one-third pound.

STEVE REMICH FOR THE WALL STREET JOURNAL

The crowd cheers on competitors in a contest pairing cheese and beer.

STEVE REMICH FOR THE WALL STREET JOURNAL

Leslie Uhl of Di Bruno Bros. in Philadelphia celebrates after taking second place in the Cheesemonger Invitational competition.

STEVE REMICH FOR THE WALL STREET JOURNAL