For a population of over 6,000 people, Armstrong can certainly squeak its claim as a top cheese town in the country.
Now entering its 12th year, The Big Cheese Festival promises something for everyone, from cheese lovers to industry professionals and food enthusiasts.
Hosted by the Armstrong Spallumcheen Chamber of Commerce, the event, from April 11-12, is chock-full of fun events, including the amateur cheese ball challenge, amateur grilled cheese challenge and the professional grilled cheese competition, where the winner will be crowned the big cheese.
As part of the lead up to the festival, media guests were invited to judge the seven tasty creations themselves.
As a rookie grilled cheese judge, I leaned on the expertise of Patti Noonan, the executive director of the Chamber.
"I want a nice thick piece of cheese, and when I pull it apart, I want to see the cheese pull," said Noonan. "Of course, using 100 per cent Canadian dairy cheese is a must."
The seven participating businesses, and their creations, are:
- Farmstrong Cider Co.- Sunshine at the Farm
- Village Cheese Dairy - Village Choice Rueben
- Wild Oak Cafe - The Birds 2.0
- PV BLVD Coffee - Charcuterie Grilled Cheese
- Branding Iron Pub - Lobster Attack
- The Clove - Grilled Cheese Eh!
- Tiffany's Asian Treats - The Pure Bread Canadian
The grilled cheeses were rated on their looks, colour, cheese content, imaginative other ingredients, Canadian cheese content and overall taste.
While the media scores will not be announced until the April 12 Local Food Festival, let's just say all the competitors made something unique and tasty.
The public can also have their say by trying out the selections until April 12 and vote for their favourite. The Food Fest goes fro, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Hassen Arena and is a farm-to-table showcase of tastings, seminars, cheese challengesa and more than 60 vendors. Admission is $5.
"The big cheese originally started as a one-time event to celebrate Armstrong's 100th birthday, as it is home to the original Armstrong Cheese," Noonan said. "We kept growing and growing and it's been 12 years now."
Buttressing the grilled cheese challenges will be a food and buyers expo on Friday, April 11, and an ambassadors dinner on Saturday night.
More information can be found at
