A Sylvan Lake area cheese farm is a finalist for a number of awards at the Canadian Cheese Grand Prix, and has some of its own products competing against one another for the top prize.
Sylvan Star Cheese was announced as one of the competition’s finalists with six cheeses competing in four different categories.
The company’s Grizzly Gouda and Aged Gouda are both competing in the Gouda category. This is a category that was opened during the judging process due to the number of cheeses entered.
Grizzly Gouda is also a finalist in the Farmhouse Cheese category. Its Cayenne and Green Peppercorn Spiced Gouda and its Italian Herbs Spiced Gouda are both competing in the Flavoured Cheese with added particulate solids and flavourings category.
Natural Smoked Gouda is the company’s finalist in the Flavoured Cheese with added non-particulate flavourings category.
A panel of judges gathered Feb. 16 and 17 to select 58 finalists to advance in the competition, and will announce the competition’s winners Apr. 18 during a ceremony in Montreal.
The Grand Prix saw more than 220 cheeses submitted for judging. The event is held as a celebration of cheeses made from 100 per cent Canadian milk.
“Canadian cheese makers from coast to coast are producing top quality, impressive cheeses,” said Phil Bélanger, Canadian Cheese Grand Prix jury chairman, in a press release. “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.”
Sylvan Star Cheese has experienced success in the competition in previous years. At the 2011 Canadian Cheese Grand Prix the company received the Champion Cheese award for its Gouda Herbs and Garlic entry in the flavoured cheese with added particulate solids flavouring category.
The company captured three category awards at the 2009 contest. Its Gruyére won the Swiss-type cheese category, its Smoked Gouda was named winner in the Flavoured Cheese with added non-particulate flavouring category and its Old Grizzly won the Farmhouse Cheese category.