A Day @ The Great Canadian Cheese Festival

This time of year, food festivals are a dime a dozen.   As a foodie it has become increasingly difficult to find quality festivals.   Food festivals usually fall into one of the following categories:  the multi-national corporate sponsored; the money grab where you pay big money for so called artisanal micro portions of average food; and the festivals where they sell life insurance, Vitamix and the latest dicer- slicer that also functions as a hedge trimmer gadget for $19.95 and today only 2 for $19.95.

Then there are the true foodie festivals,  the ones that focus on quality vendors, true artisans, and the true spirit of the festival.   The Great Canadian Cheese Festival is one such event that holds this spirit of quality to the highest standards.

For the price of admission you get unlimited artisanal cheese, charcuterie sampling and generous beer and wine sampling.   Passionate and knowledgeable staff manned the booths and were  eager to showcase their products.   The difference between these vendors and the average food show vendor was that these people worked with their products and took pride in showcasing and explaining what they do.   However, there was an exception to this in one section of the fair that featured small batch cheeses from Quebec.   These producers were so small and artisanal that they would not have the resources to showcase their cheeses individually.   They were grouped together and showcased by festival staff.   This also presented a rare opportunity to purchase some truly unique and artisanal cheeses at exceptional prices.   The fair overall presented excellent value when purchasing artisanal cheeses.

Here are some of the vendors with unique products:

Well known for their exceptional chocolate and coffee.  They are a regular at the Brickworks farmers market.

Local, Pesticide Free, and full of Flavour.  Christina's pride was magnetic.  One of the better hot sauces I have tasted.
   

Cows Creamery Cheese of the Year

Cows Creamery Prince Edward Island

Awesome local Charcuterie.  Products made locally and with pride.  https://seedtosausage.ca

Fifth Town Cheese

I have been a fan of Fifth Town Cheese for many years.   Their Cape Vessey is one of my all time favourites.   Patricia and her partner Kelly are the only remaining licensed dairy in Prince Edward County.  Apart from an award winning lineup of cheeses they have a small vineyard,  and three acres of orchard fruit and berries.   

Visit their website here for more information and locations to purchase their cheese.

Nude Bee Honey

For some amazing raw, natural and flavourful honeys check them out here.

Ryan and Anne showcasing Raw and Natural Honey

Jus-Jellin

Have you heard of Beer Jelly ?  Neither had I until now.  This was neat however at that moment I could not think of a use for it.   Then I tried it and wow.   All I could think about was beer brined baby backs, ancho rub, smoked over cherry wood, and glazed with beer jelly to finish.   They have an assortment of different beer jellies and definitely a unique gift for a foodie.    There are limitless possibilities with this product.  You can find them here.

Terry and Lorna showcasing their Beer Jellies

From chocolates to moonshine,  The Great Canadian Cheese Festival is a must attend event for cheese lovers and foodies alike.  I even got to meet my doppelgänger.

My Doppelgänger