Attention, Canadian cheesemakers!
Entries are open for the 2022 Canadian Cheese & Butter Competition presented by Dairy Farmers of Ontario at the 100th anniversary Royal Agricultural Winter Fair with more than $33,000 in prize money provided by Dairy Farmers of Ontario.
It’s the oldest cheese and butter competition in Canada dating back 100 years to 1922 when the Fair was first held at Exhibition Place in Toronto.
Entry deadline is June 1. Judging for the competition takes place June 10 with winners announced soon after.
The competition is open to Canadian cheese made with all milks—cow, goat, sheep, water buffalo and mixed—by producers in all provinces.
Click to read and download the 2022 competition book with rules and regulations in English.
Cliquez pour lire et télécharger le livret du concours 2022 avec le réglementation en français.
Judges for the prestigious competition are selected on the basis of their knowledge, understanding and appreciation of cheese. The Jury is evenly divided between judges strong on technical aspects of cheese and those strong on aesthetics.
Technical Judges: Art Hill, Kelsie Parsons, Barry Reid, Cecilia Smith, Heather Thelwell.
Aesthetic Judges: André Derrick, Erin Harris, Andrew Moulton, Martin Raymond, Sue Riedl.
Judging Facilitator: Connie Smith. Competition Superintendents: Debbie Levy and Lisa McAlpine.
Presenting Sponsor of the Cheese & Butter Competition: Dairy Farmers of Ontario.
Evaluation of cheese will be based on the following:
- Aroma
- Flavours
- Texture and Body
- Appearance and Rind Development
(if rind is appropriate to the cheese)
In the 2021 competition, the Grand Champions were:
Grand Champion in Cow Milk: Miranda, Fromagerie Fritz Kaiser, Noyan, Quebec, Cheesemaker Fritz Kaiser;
Grand Champion in Goat, Sheep, Water Buffalo and mixed milk: Fuoco, Fromagerie Fuoco, St. Lin Laurentides, Québec, Cheesemaker Jason Fuoco;
Grand Champion Cheddar and Ontario Champion Cheddar: Balderson Medium Cheddar, Lactalis Canada, Chesterville, Ontario;
Grand Champion Butter: Lactantia Cultured Salted Butter, Lactalis Canada, Chesterville, Ontario.
The Royal Agricultural Winter Fair celebrates 100 years of world class Equine and Agricultural excellence on November 4-13, 2022.
Since its inception in November 1922, The Royal Agricultural Winter Fair has become the world’s largest combined agricultural and equestrian show.
The Royal draws more than 300,000 visitors to Toronto annually to see thousands of unique entries from elite Canadian and international breeders, growers and exhibitors, more than 4,500 large and small animals, shows, activities, shopping, dining and—of course—The Royal Horse Show.
Come and experience The Royal, there’s truly something for the entire family. Click here for information and tickets.
We’re planning a road trip across Canada, from our home near Toronto to the Canadian Rockies and home again. We’ll be on the road for almost two months, covering close to 8,000 km, camping most of the time—and eating well.
