On Friday, August 7, at 10:00 a.m., Marco Hoebe, foreman of the cheese-making facility at CONO Kaasmakers, will ring the bell at the Alkmaar Cheese Market. This will mark the official start of the cheese market, which, according to centuries-old tradition, takes place on Waagplein in Alkmaar.
Before his visit to the cheese market, Marco is welcomed at Alkmaar City Hall by Alderman Gijsbert van Iterson Scholten.
At CONO Kaasmakers, the belief that the best cheese is made together is paramount. Together with dairy farmers—who care for their cows—cheesemakers, and partners, they work every day to produce cheese in which quality, attention to detail, and care for the environment take center stage. The recent recognition of Beemster® Royaal Grand Cru as the best cheese in the world underscores what this collective craftsmanship can achieve. Behind such a world title are the people who dedicate themselves every day with passion to the craft of cheese-making.
This year, Marco is celebrating his 25th anniversary at CONO Kaasmakers. For a quarter of a century, he and his colleagues have been at the heart of the production process, contributing every day to the creation of the highest-quality cheese. As a foreman in the cheese-making facility, he plays a key role on the production floor, where craftsmanship, experience, and teamwork come together every day.
Marco’s anniversary is therefore more than just a personal milestone. It symbolizes the commitment and dedication of all the colleagues who have been working hard for CONO Kaasmakers for many years. Colleagues like Marco are the foundation of the quality for which CONO is known: making cheese with care, expertise, and a love for the craft.
The ringing of the bell at the Alkmaar Cheese Market not only continues a wonderful tradition, but also pays tribute to the craftsmanship behind the cheese.
About the Alkmaar Cheese Market
The Alkmaar Cheese Market is the oldest and largest traditional cheese market in the Netherlands. Every year, this centuries-old spectacle attracts more than 200,000 visitors from the Netherlands and abroad to Waagplein, where cheese has been traded in the traditional manner since 1593.
Today, the Cheese Market has become an icon of Alkmaar and a major tourist attraction in North Holland. The two Michelin stars for tourism underscore the special value of this tradition.
The Cheese Market takes place every Friday morning from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., from late March through late September. In July and August, there are also evening cheese markets on Tuesday evenings from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
