Armstrong will be home to everything cheese as the city hosts its second annual cheese event Saturday at Centennial Hall.
This year, the popular event will feature two opportunities for cheese lovers to enjoy the taste of artisan cheese produced in the North Okanagan as well as from other areas of B.C.
Beginning at 10 a.m., cheese-makers, artisan food producers, small-batch wineries and art exhibitors will provide samples and information. Those attending will pick up a cheese pass which will allow one complimentary tasting from each exhibitor until 2 p.m.
At 1 p.m., David Beaudoin will host a Cheese 101 seminar.
Beaudoin has built a successful business with a product known as Squeaky Cheese as well as leading and operating one of the oldest cheese factories in B.C.
Now working as a cheese expert and consultant with the Dairy Farmers of Canada, Beaudoin, known as the “cheese poet,” will surely educate and entertain with his great knowledge and profound passion for cheese.
North Okanagan cheese producers Bella Stella, Terroir Cheese, The Village Cheese Co., Happy Days Dairies and Grass Root Dairies will be in the spotlight joined by other B.C. cheese producers – all proud supporters of ‘100% Canadian Milk’ products.
Artisan food producers including Chocoliro Finest Chocolate, Rogers Foods, Sapori Oils & Vinegars, Okanagan Rawsome, Maw’s Orchard, Fresh Valley Farms, Crescendo, Rancho Vignola and White Lake Organics are participating – truly a taste of slow food.
Think you are the ‘big cheese’?
Don’t miss the cheese ball and grilled cheese competitions – amateur and professional categories. Winners will be crowned ‘the big cheese’ with bragging rights for an entire year.
Local artisans and antique stores, including Country Home Antiques, will provide displays sure to enhance the event.
At 7 p.m., the doors of Centennial Hall will reopen and live music provided by The Whiskee Zippers will set the mood for the spirited cheese tasting.
The ticketed event will feature eight carefully selected tastings, including a Swiss specialty racelette, that showcase cheese proudly featuring the 100 per cent Canadian Milk designation. as well as local produce and artisan meat products.
Complementing the tastings will be wines produced by North Okanagan wineries – Edge of the Earth, Larch Hills and Recline Ridge – in addition to other B.C. spirits.
Tickets are $35 and can be purchased at the Armstrong Spallumcheen Chamber of Commerce office and Chocoliro Finest Chocolate. This event is made possible by sponsors Dairy Farmers of Canada, The Morning Star and Kiss FM, in addition to the volunteers and slow food producers.