Two cheeses from Amalgamated Dairies Ltd. in Summerside and three from Cows Creamery in Charlottetown, are in the running for the Dairy Farmers of Canada’s prestigious 2013 Canadian Cheese Grand Priz.
Cheese-makers from B.C. to P.E.I. submitted 225 entries in 19 categories for this year’s competition.
A panel of industry experts selected 58 finalists (three in 18 categories and four in one category) recently in Montreal to compete for the title of grand champion cheese.
The category winners and the grand champion will be announced at the 2013 Canadian Cheese Grand Prix Gala of Champions at Montreal’s Hyatt Regency Hotel on April 18.
The P.E.I. cheeses still vying for top honours are mild and medium cheddars from ADL and Applewood Smoked, Avonlea Clothbound and Extra Old cheddars from Cows Creamery.
Cows Extra Old and Avonlea Clothbound are two of the three finalists in the aged cheddar, more than one year, up to three years category.
Jury members carefully observed, touched, smelled and tasted each cheese and evaluated them based on very specific criteria including flavour, texture and body, colour, appearance, and salt content, before selecting the finalists.
“Canadian cheese makers from coast-to-coast are producing top-quality, impressive cheeses,” said Phil Bélanger, chair of the eight-member Canadian Cheese Grand Prix jury.
“The diversity we saw within the 19 categories really showcases how evolved this craft has become in Canada. From aged cheddars to organic cheeses, cheese makers from across Canada are taking it to the next level and are the envy of other cheese-making nations.”
