TORONTO – Expert culinary dueler and grilled cheese mastermind, chef Jason Bangerter, took home top honours today at the 2012 Grate Canadian Grilled Cheese Cook-Off for his Niagara Gold Crunch. The big grilled cheese showdown took place at Dairy Farmers of Canada's All You Need Is Cheese exhibit at the Canadian National Exhibition in Toronto in front of a crowd of drooling cheese fans.
Four accomplished chefs from across Canada took to the stage in an attempt to create the perfect combination of Canadian cheese, bread and a little imagination. However, it was chef Jason from O&B Luma and Canteen restaurants in Toronto who emerged victorious.
Chef Jason's Niagara Gold Crunch was voted best overall by a panel of four cheese experts. The sandwich combined the nutty notes of Niagara Gold cheese, the saltiness of prosciutto and the sweet and sour pop of pickled grapes.
"The one thing that's clear after today's competition," said chef Jason Bangerter. "Everyone loves grilled cheese sandwiches. I am so thrilled my Niagara Gold Crunch featuring Niagara Gold cheese won the hearts and taste buds of the judges."
This year's four fierce competitors included Jason Bangerter, executive chef at O&B Luma and Canteen restaurants in Toronto; Ned Bell, executive chef of Yew Restaurant at The Four Seasons Hotel in Vancouver; Michael Howell, executive chef of Tempestuous Culinary in Nova Scotia; and Liana Robberecht, executive chef of the Calgary Petroleum Club in Calgary.
The esteemed judging panel consisted of renowned Canadian food writers Elizabeth Baird, Rita DeMontis and Sue Riedl, and Kevin Durkee, founder of CHEESEWERKS restaurant in Toronto.
The Cook-Off was organized by Dairy Farmers of Canada to take the grilled cheese sandwich to a whole new level and showcase the outstanding quality, variety, taste, and versatility of Canadian cheese made from 100% Canadian milk.
"I'd like to congratulate all four chefs, and of course the winner, chef Jason Bangerter, for doing an outstanding job today and helping us all celebrate Canadian cheese in its melted form," said Solange Heiss, assistant director, marketing and nutrition communications at Dairy Farmers of Canada. "I hope we've inspired Canadians to put their own spin on this classic comfort food and enjoy some fantastic cheese produced in this country."
Cheese lovers across Canada can access these amazing grilled cheese recipes and find tips for making the perfect grilled cheese by visiting www.allyouneedischeese.ca/grilledcheese.
About Canadian Cheese
Cheese is a staple food in the Canadian diet, with 98 per cent of Canadians eating cheese regularly. The cheese making industry is one of Canada's oldest, dating back nearly as far as the fur trade.
About Dairy Farmers of Canada
Dairy Farmers of Canada (DFC) strives to create favourable conditions for the Canadian dairy industry, today and in the future. DFC works to maintain policies that foster the viability of Canadian dairy producers and to promote quality Canadian dairy products made from 100% Canadian milk as part of a healthy balanced diet. DFC is completely funded by dairy producers.
Source: Dairy Farmers of Canada (DFC)
