2026 Best Canadian Cheesemonger Competition

The Best Canadian Cheesemonger Competition, organized by SIAL Canada, successfully held its 2nd edition on April 29, 2026, in Montreal. Open to professional cheesemongers from across the country, this national competition highlights the artisans behind dairy counters who work every day to showcase and promote exceptional cheeses to consumers.

Through a series of practical challenges inspired by real-life industry conditions, candidates demonstrate their expertise, technical mastery, product knowledge, and creativity, whether they work in specialty cheese shops, grocery store cheese counters, or fine food boutiques.

In this latest edition, six finalists competed live before a panel of expert judges and SIAL Canada visitors, in a competition celebrating professional excellence and the dynamism of the Canadian cheese industry.

This biennial competition alternates with the SIAL Canada International Cheese Competition in Toronto, offering a complementary national and international showcase for cheese professionals.

The Best Canadian Cheesemonger Competition will return at SIAL Canada 2028 for a new edition bringing together the country’s top cheese talents and celebrating professional excellence on a national scale.

Discover the winner of the Best Canadian Cheesemonger Competition

Anne Gauvreau-Sybille is the co-owner of Anne et Frères Cheese Shop, located in the Villeray neighborhood of Montréal.

After a career of nearly twenty years as an engineer, she decided to open her cheese shop in 2022 alongside her brother, François. Their constantly growing business now offers around 200 cheeses, half of which are from Québec, and stands out for its excellence in customer service.

With both Québécois and French roots, cheese has always held an important place in her life. Family meals, whether intimate or large gatherings, as well as celebrations and special occasions, have always been enhanced by moments, often the best ones, shared around a cheese platter. Cheese has therefore, in many ways, always been part of her DNA.

Always eager to stay informed about developments in the industry ,whether related to milk sourcing, cheesemaking, affinage, or marketing , she regularly attends food and cheese trade shows in France and visits numerous cheese shops and producers across Québec and Europe.

Some of her professional cheese competition participations include:

2025 – Canadian Champion, Professional Category, National Selection for the Mondial de la Fondue, Sainte-Agathe-des-Monts, Canada
2025 – Jury Member, International Cheese Competition, SIAL Toronto, Canada
2025 – Jury Member, International Cheese Competition, Mondial du Fromage, Tours, France
2024 – Finalist, Best Canadian Cheese Merchant Competition, SIAL Montréal, Canada

2026 Challenges

CHEESE PLATTER

Creation of a presentation platter based on a defined theme: “Cultural Mosaic in Canada”

(1 hour)

ORAL PRESENTATION

Each candidate selects a Canadian cheese of their choice and must present and taste it to the jury.

(3 minutes)

CUTTING

The candidate has 5 minutes to cut four 0.250 kg (250 g) portions from different
cheeses provided by the Organizer.

(5 minutes)

MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONNAIRE

MCQ of 20 questions related to general knowledge about Canadian cheesemaking and PDO available in Canada.

(20 minutes)

2026 Prizes & Recognition

By winning the competition, the champion has received:

A $3,000 scholarship to support professional development and to enable the candidate to present their application on the international stage in France in September 2027.
A prestigious national title
Official recognition as Best Canadian Cheesemonger 2026, awarded by SIAL Canada – a national distinction that can be leveraged throughout a career, both in Canada and internationally.
High-impact media visibility
- Interview in Grocery Business magazine, reaching key retail and industry decision-makers
- Featured across SIAL Canada’s social media channels
- Visibility in the SIAL Canada newsletter
- Mention in an official press release distributed to trade media

These awards do not only recognize performance in the competition: they reinforce the winner’s status as a leading figure in the Canadian cheese industry and open the door to broader recognition, both nationally and internationally.

Jury Members

Yannick Achim

Cheese merchant

Amélie Tendland

Winner of the 2024 Best Canadian Cheese Merchant competition

David Beaudoin

Canadian Cheese Ambassador

Olivia Janse

Director of Innovation and Master Cheesemaker

Roland Barthélemy

Master cheesemaker

Allison Van Rassel

culinary communicator, journalist, and columnist

David Laurin

Cheese technology consultant

Contestants

Anne Gauvreau-Sybille

Frédérique Legoupil

Nyome Giroux

Pascal Fortin

Sarah McNulty

Stacy Lee-Scott

Why participate ?

This unique opportunity allows you to showcase your talent and elevate yourself in the professional world of cheese. Join us for an event that makes a mark on the Canadian cheese industry.

SHOWCASE YOUR EXPERTISE

Demonstrate your skill and passion for cheese, and stand out among the best in your field.

EXPAND YOUR NETWORK

Connect with industry professionals and experts, opening up new career opportunities.

BUILD YOUR REPUTATION

Increase your visibility and strengthen your position as a nationally recognized expert in the cheese industry.

A word from....

A Word from the Competition President, Yannick Achim of Fromagerie Yannick

“This competition represents an unparalleled opportunity for cheesemongers to showcase their expertise and passion, while increasing recognition of our craft within the culinary world. In Canada, thanks to the creativity of artisan cheesemakers and the gourmet curiosity of fine cheese consumers, the role of the Cheesemonger continues to leave its mark in this specialized sector of the food industry. We look forward to discovering the skills and originality of the candidates.”

2024 Grand Champion, Amélie Tendland of Fromagerie Laiterie Charlevoix

“I am very proud to have participated in and won this challenging competition, which truly highlights the wonderful craft of the cheesemonger. It was an intense and highly rewarding experience. I am honored and humbled to represent Canada next year at the Mondial du Fromage in Tours, France. I will spend the coming months preparing with dedication and passion.”