PATTI NOONAN
ARMSTRONG – The struggle is real but the judges – and the people – have spoken! The Professional Grilled Cheese contest ‘People’s Choice’ award went to The Wild Oak Café.
This wasn’t the first time win for the café, but it was for new owner Elizabeth Reimer.
‘Winner of the Professional Category Grilled Cheese Sandwich was The Wild Oak Cafe, followed closely by Country Bakery and Overlander Restaurant,’ said Patti Ferguson, contest organizer. ‘Comments on the voting cards showed that everyone thoroughly enjoyed themselves tasting all these amazing concoctions!!
The Amateur Grilled Cheese contest was again won by crowd favorite Bridget Kirkland who won the judges over with its tasty ingredients and perfectly melted cheese.
Professional Grilled Cheese winner Elizabeth Reimer of The Wild Oak Café with Cheese Ambassador David Beaudoin
Cheeseball judges also had a tough time but in the end they awarded the top prize to Rhonda Keating with her ‘Wasabi Cheese Ball’ and Carol Hill- Lonergan with her ‘Chocolate Orange Cheeseball’. This was the first time to have a savory and a sweet category in the cheeseball competition. Competition was tight with 7 entries. This is the fourth time Hill-Lonergan has taken home the coveted award and the third time Keating has won.
‘Thank you to everyone who entered and thank you to everyone who went out and tasted the restaurants entries – they appreciate you taking the time to do that,’ said Ferguson, ‘Everyone is looking forward to next year’s competition’!
This year, a new ‘industry only’ event for vendors to mingle with buyers was held on Friday evening through the generous support of ETSI-BC in partnership with Land 2 Table and Design Farm Inc. The event was preceded by opportunities for vendors to gain new skills with free resources and a ‘Experts on Tab’ webinar.
With 30 slow food producers including cheese producers, cheese pairing workshops hosted by David Beaudoin with Dairy Farmers of Canada and lots of tasting opportunities, over 1500 people enjoyed the daytime event at Hassen Hall the next day. This was followed by the sold out ‘Meet the Cheesemaker’ event Saturday evening where ticket holders were served 7 plates each pairing a delicious cheese, slow food and spirits.
Cheeseball judge, Heather on left, winners of the cheeseball contest, Rhonda and Carol in the middle and judge, Tyler on the far right.
‘We were overwhelmed by the response from the public.’ said Patti Noonan, committee member. “Thank you to David Beaudoin, Dairy Farmers of Canada, BC Dairy Farmers, ETSI-BC and our volunteers for their support in making this event such a success.’
Patti Noonan is Executive Director of the Armstrong Spallumcheen Chamber of Commerce. She can be reached at manager@aschamber.com