The best cheese in Canada’s going fast
What: Laliberté cheese made by Fromagerie du Presbytère in Quebec’s Eastern Townships was recently declared the grand champion at the Canadian Cheese Grand Prix, beating out 267 other Canadian cow’s milk cheeses in 27 categories. Why: Since the big win, this cheese — which judges described as an “aromatic triple crème cheese” that’s “unctuous” inside a tender bloomy rind, “with flavours of mushrooms and cream” — has become virtually impossible to obtain. Where: We checked with half a dozen shops that specialize in cheese before we tracked it down at The Piggy Market, at 400 Winston Ave., just north Richmond Road in Westboro.
“I followed the contest and pretty much as soon as it was announced, I contacted my supplier,” said Dave Neill, co-owner of The Piggy Market. “I just love it. I’ve carried it for four years.”
Neill says he has five wheels of the prized cheese in stock.
His supplier is Suzanne Lavoie of Mariposa farm in Plantagenet, about a 50-minute drive east of downtown Ottawa. “People can get it from me, but they have to pre-order,” Lavoie says. “Right now, everybody wants it.” She can be reached at 613-673-5881.
Lavoie also supplies the cheese to such restaurants as Les Fougères in Wakefield and The Albion Rooms in Ottawa’s Novotel hotel. How much: At The Piggy Market, Neill sells it for $8.60 for 100 grams, or about $15 to $16 for a medium-sized wedge. More: See a video with chef Michael Howell, one of the judges, describing the winning cheese, at: ottawacitizen.com/food