Big Cheese Days Among The Finalists For Event Of The Year

Saturday, 12 October 2019 06:39

The award recognizes events or festivals in Ontario that demonstrates local food or drinks. It is one of three businesses who are nominated in the Ontario’s Culinary Tourism Awards of Excellence.

OXFORD COUNTY - Big Cheese Days has been nominated for Event Of The Year.

It is among the finalists in this year's Ontario’s Culinary Tourism Awards of Excellence, which is a part of the Tourism Industry Association of Ontario.

Tourism Specialist For Oxford County Meredith Maywood says they've very excited for the event to be recognized.

"The main focus is on providing a wonderful experience for visitors to the area and celebrating our local taste of place that we offer. Oxford's known as a very unique destination for its dairy heritage and we always are looking for ways to work with the local businesses that are telling that story to find new ways to draw visitors out, to learn our history and get a great taste of place."

The award recognizes events or festivals in Ontario that demonstrates local food or drinks.

It was created as a kickoff event to deliver the Oxford County Cheese Trail as a new tourism product.

She says upon receiving recognition, it brings more attention to Tourism Oxford.

"It really raises the profile of it as a tourism product and recognizes the important work that's being done by local businesses to grow food tourism in Oxford County. So it's very beneficial for tourism and telling our story in the region."

The event saw over 5,600 people attend in 2018, with 870 of them enjoying limited time tours and experiences.

Maywood says the different partners who were along the cheese trail offered special tours, special menu items, tasting and activities.

"You could get an exclusive tour of a dairy barn at Mount Milk Cheese or do an aged cheese tasting at Gunn’s Hill Artisan Cheese. You could also be doing a wine and cheese pairing at a local restaurant or having a wonderful, full three-course meal of local cheese items."

Tillsonburg's Local Ottercreek Woodworks was also a finalist in the Experience category. The full list of awards can be found here.

If you'd also like to learn more about Tourism Oxford and their events, you can visit their website.