The International Cheese Competition took place on the first day of SIAL Canada 2025, returning to Toronto for its fourth edition. Dedicated exclusively to cheese, the biennial event featured 205 entries from 10 countries, evaluated across 27 categories by a jury of 14 industry professionals, chaired by Gurth M. Pretty.
Ontario-based Stonetown Artisan Cheese was awarded Grand Champion for its Grand Trunk cheese, and its Wildwood cheese received the Special Prize for Best Canadian Cow’s Milk Cheese—a new award introduced this year by Dairy Farmers of Canada to spotlight excellence in cheeses made from 100% Canadian cow’s milk.
The Quebec Dairy Processors Association (CILQ) also presented a special award for Best Quebec Farmstead Cheese, selected from among cheeses certified under the province’s “Fromage fermier” designation. This year’s winner was Chemin Hatley from Fromagerie la Station Inc.
All winning cheeses were made available for tasting during a special Happy Hour networking event held later that day at the SIAL Dairy booth.
“The 2025 edition was a great success,” said Gurth M. Pretty. “All of the cheeses submitted were champions in my eyes.”
Photo: © Josée Lecompte