Cows Creamery wins gala prize for cheddar cheese

Cows Creamery of P.E.I. has received national recognition for one of the cheeses it produces.

The creamery wonfor aged cheddar, one to three years for its Avonlea Clothbound Cheddar at the Canadian Cheese Grand Prix Gala of Champions in Toronto. The winners were announced April 22.

A Halifax chef was one of the 11 judges that ranked 250 cheeses at the gala. Michael Howell says Cows Creamery is close to winning the grand championship.

"Cows is so close to winning, I think, at this stage in the game, that if it's not next time, it's going to be the following year," saidHowell.

"The clothbound is a stand out internationally I believe. I suspect that sooner or later they're going to take home a grand championship."

The Avonlea Clothbound Cheddar is made with raw, Holstein cow milk, wrapped in cloth andaged for 14 months under monitored temperature and humidity conditions.

The Extra Old Cheddar produced by Cows Creamery was also a finalist in the same category.