This past weekend I went on an adventure that took me to a town known for Shakespeare and producing the world’s most popular pop star, Justin Beiber. That said — Stratford should really be known for cheese, starting with The Milky Whey Fine Cheese Shop on Ontario St. It’s pure cheese lover’s heaven!
Proprietor Liz Payne is a true Maître D’Fromage and, although her passion is local her palette will take you on a global adventure. Liz educated me on Ontario artisanal cheese, telling me that most find their origins in sheep, goats and buffalo milk as cow milk quotas are in short supply.
With my mouth wind open my finds included Thunder Oak Gouda from Thunder Bay, Mouton Rouge from Ewenity Dairy Sheep’s Milk in Fergus and Buffalo Ricotta from Bella Casara Quality Cheese in Vaughan, made with buffalo milk from St. Mary’s.
But my favourite find of all comes from Stratford itself. Monforte Dairy is an artisanal cheese lover’s delight. Its creator Ruth Klahsen believes it’s the small things in life that make a difference, and her cheese is made with that same philosophy.
After diving into Monforte Goat Milk Cheddar, Monforte Toscano (Sheep Milk) and Monforte Little Prince Goat Milk Cheese made using vegetable ash, I can tell you a little sliver gives a big impression. In fact Toronto Life awarded Monforte Cheese the best in Ontario, and in 2006 the Dragons on CBC’s the Dragon Den offered Ruth a deal, one that she respectfully declined.
The Milky Whey and Monforte Cheese is worth the drive to Stratford. however the flavours of Stratford (Monforte Dairy) can be found weekly at Evergreen Brick Work’s Farmers Market on Saturdays as well as the St. Lawrence Market in downtown Toronto.
- THE MILKY WHEY FINE CHEESE SHOP, 118 Ontario St. Stratford; Themilkywhey.ca
- MONFORTE DAIRY, 49 Griffith Rd. E., Stratford; Monfortedairy.com.
Frank Ferragine is the weather and gardening specialist for Breakfast Television Toronto on Citytv, and appears regularly onCityLine. Follow Frank on twitter @frankferragine or email frankieflowers@citytv.com.
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