Professional Mac & Cheese Taster Wanted

Grate Canadian Cheese Cook-Off competition in search of cheese-loving fourth judge

TORONTO, June 2, 2014 /CNW/ - If you are one of the many Canadians who love the creamy, comforting nature of one of our country's favourite dishes - mac & cheese - then this could be your moment to shine. Dairy Farmers of Canada has put a call out to Canadians to find the fourth and final judge for this summer's Grate Canadian Cheese Cook-Off competition, to be held at the Canadian National Exhibition in Toronto on August 27, 2014.

At this year's Cook-Off event, Dairy Farmers of Canada has challenged four Canadian foodies and chefs to compete against each other by creating their own unique mouth-watering Canadian mac & cheese recipes. The competing foodies are Bal Arneson, a Food Network TV host and award-winning author from Vancouver, British Columbia; chef David Bohati, executive chef at MARKET Restaurant in Calgary, Alberta; Kevin Durkee, owner of CHEESEWERKS in Toronto, Ontario; and chef Andrew Farrell, executive chef at 2 Doors Down in Halifax, Nova Scotia.

"Mac & cheese is a much-loved classic comfort food that inspires endless creativity in the kitchen," said Geneviève Latour, assistant director, communications. "We anticipate the competition this August will be fierce with foodies and chefs from across Canada vying for the honour of being Canada's Grate Canadian Cheese Cook-Off champion. The competition will certainly be a delicious experience for our judges."

A fourth judge is needed to join three top celebrity foodie judges to select the best mac & cheese recipe. The winner will join Sue Riedl, journalist, blogger and cheese ambassador; Rita DeMontis, Sun Media food editor; and Jason Bangerter, executive chef and 2012 Grate Canadian (Grilled) Cheese Cook-Off champion.

Cheese lovers who think they have what it takes to be a top notch mac & cheese judge can apply for the position online by filling out the contest form at www.allyouneedischeese.ca/tasterwanted. The period to apply runs until July 5, 2014 at 11:59:59PM (ET), and is open to residents of Canada (except Quebec and the Territories) who have reached the age of majority where they reside at the time of entry.

About the Prizes
One lucky cheese lover will help our celebrity judges pick Canada's best mac & cheese. Valued at $8,000, the prize includes the following:

• A trip for two to the Canadian National Exhibition 2014 in Toronto;
• Two entries to the Canadian National Exhibition;
• The opportunity for the winner to take part as the fourth judge in the Cook-Off Competition;
• Round-trip airfare for two between an airport near the winner's residence and Toronto Pearson International Airport;
• Two nights accommodation at the Hôtel Le Germain in Toronto.

Ten secondary prizes will be awarded, each valued at approximately $100. The secondary prize is a basket containing a selection of Canadian cheese products.

For more information on the contest, rules and regulations, please visit www.allyouneedischeese.ca/tasterwanted.

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 promotes quality Canadian dairy products made from 100% Canadian milk as part of a healthy, balanced diet.

SOURCE: Dairy Farmers of Canada (DFC)

Geneviève Latour / Sandra Da Silva
Dairy Farmers of Canada
514.284.1092 x. 233 / 905.817.2001
[email protected] / [email protected]