Ignite your passion for fromage
Saturday and Sunday, June 2 and 3 Three tutored tastings per day
It’s all cheese, all day, each day during The Great Canadian Cheese Festival. There are three different guided tastings offered each day.
- Artisan Cheese Tasting 101, presented by Julia Rogers
- Cheddars Coast to Coast, presented by Andy Shay
- Pairing Cheese with Wine, presenter by David Lawrason
- Breakfast of Champions, presented by Georgs Kolesnikovs
- Best of the West, presented by Janice Beaton
- Taste of Québec, presented by Vanessa Simmons.
Tasting seminars run concurrently with the Artisan Cheese & Fine Food Fair in the adjacent Prince Edward Community Centre. Tickets are sold separately. Most presentations include sampling of wine or beer with tasting of cheese.*
Saturday, June 2
10:00 to 11:15 am
ARTISAN CHEESE TASTING 101
A primer for those who want to appreciate cheese, not just eat it. Get acquainted with the different families and flavours of cheese. Gather tips for how to serve and accompany your favourites. Learn to taste and talk about cheese like a pro, as you enjoy a flight of seven selections.
Presenter: Julia Rogers of Cheese Culture, cheese and wine educator. Read more . . .
12:00 to 1:15 pm
CANADIAN CHEDDARS COAST TO COAST
Is there anything more Canadian than a fine cheddar? Marvel at the different taste sensations delivered by a cross-section of cheddar cheeses made in Canada, from British Columbia to Prince Edward island, with several stops in Ontario and Québec.
Presenter: Andy Shay, cheese consultant and cheese buyer at Sobeys Ontario. Read more . . .
2:00 to 3:15 pm
HOW TO PAIR ARTISAN CHEESE WITH FINE WINE
The birth of Canada’s burgeoning artisan cheese industry is mirrored by the evolution of fine Canadian wine, especially in the past decade. Discover the amazing synergy and vitality of Canadian cheese and wine with David Lawrason, a leading Canadian wine expert who shares a personal passion for cheese. The choices go far beyond red or white, and so will your enjoyment once you try some inspired and unusual pairings.
Presenter: David Lawrason, wine writer and educator. Read more . . .
After the Saturday tastings, you will want to take a breather—or a nap—before returning for the Cooks & Curds Cheese Gala at 6:00 p.m. Tickets sold separately.
Sunday, June 3
10:00 to 11:15 am
BREAKFAST OF CHAMPIONS
An introduction to what arguably are the best cheeses made in Canada today—from cow’s milk, goat’s milk and sheep’s milk. Taste the three cheeses, meet the three makers, start the day on a high.
Presenter: Georgs Kolesnikovs, Festival founder and blogger-in-chief at CheeseLover.ca
12:00 to 1:15 pm
BEST OF THE WEST
An introduction to the stunning cheeses of Western Canada that will forever change your perception of Canadian cheese.
Presenter: Janice Beaton of Janice Beaton Fine Cheese and Farm Restaurant, Calgary. Read more . . .
2:00 to 3:15 pm
TASTE OF QUEBEC
Sample a selection of the iconic and the new from Canada’s leading artisan-cheese region. Paired with craft beer and crisp cider from la Belle Province.
Presenter: Vanessa Simmons of Savvy Company, cheese sommelier. Read more . . .
TUTORED CHEESE TASTINGS: $50 each BUY TICKETS NOW!
* Being Ontario, no alcoholic beverages can be served prior to 11 a.m. on Saturday and 12 noon on Sunday. Age of majority regulations apply at Festival functions where alcoholic beverages are served.
