Cheese champions crowned at The Royal

Judges pick winners from more than 230 entries and 180 kilograms of cheese

TORONTO, Nov. 4, 2015 /CNW/ - You could call them the big cheeses of this year's Royal Agricultural Winter Fair — literally.

After savouring hundreds of delicious samples, judges have made their picks in The Royal Cheese Competition.

The competition, featuring dozens of cheese producers from across the country, was judged in advance of The Royal's upcoming 10-day run from November 6-15, 2015 at Exhibition Place in Toronto.

"The quality of the cheeses competing this year was outstanding," said Peter Hohenadel, The Royal's Director of Agriculture and Food. "We saw a lot of passion, creativity and talent on the table in all categories."

Winners included:

Cheddar Cheese:

• Grand Champion: Parmalat Canada - Winchester, Mature Cheddar 12- 24 months
• Reserve Champion: Agropur Cooperative, Mature Cheddar 12- 14 months

Variety Cheese:

• Grand Champion: Argopur Cooperative - Oka L'Artisan
• Reserve Champion: Fromagerie Alexis de portneuf – La Sauvagine

Goat and Sheep milk variety cheese

• Grand Champion: Mariposa Dairy - Lenberg Farms Classic Reserve - Zoey
• Reserve champion: Fifth Town Artisan Cheese -Farmhouse Goat Gouda

Ontario Champion Cheddar, Sponsored by Dairy Farmers of Ontario

• Parmalat Canada – Winchester

The Royal Cheese Competition includes more than 180 kilograms of cheese of all varieties, from huge blocks of cheddar and rounds of soft brie, to flavoured goat's cheese and buffalo milk cheese.

Judges must decide who earns the Champion title among more than 230 different entries – so many entries that judges divided into teams and evaluated the entries.

The Royal has been celebrating the very best in Canadian agriculture and food for more than nine decades. These competitions are another way to connect people with delicious local foods and showcase the talents of Canadian producers.

Funding support for The Royal has been provided by the City of Toronto and the Government of Ontario.

About The Royal:

The Royal Agricultural Winter Fair is the world's largest combined indoor agricultural and equestrian show.  This year, the 93rd Royal Agricultural Winter Fair runs November 6-15, 2015 at Exhibition Place, Toronto. For competition schedules, live webcasting, results and to purchase tickets, please visit www.royalfair.org.

SOURCE Royal Agricultural Winter Fair

Image with caption: "Winners of The Royal Agricultural Winter Fair Cheese Competition (CNW Group/Royal Agricultural Winter Fair)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20151104_C6396_PHOTO_EN_537156.jpg

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