MONTREAL, QUEBEC, CANADA (April 29, 2026)
Roland Barthélemy, Provost of the International Guild of Cheesemakers, travelled from France to recognize and induct ten cheese professionals in North America on April 29, 2026 in Montreal, Canada, during the 672nd Chapter Induction Ceremony, held as part of the SIAL Canada Food Show. Inductees are considered not only experts in cheesemaking, but also experts in the production, ripening, and preservation of fine cheese standards, quality, and education. The winners are exemplary individuals in their support, education and promotion of traditionally produced cheeses through many organizations.
Among them are top cheesemakers, creamers, refiners, distributors and retailers, all part of a group of dedicated culinary professionals receiving this great honour. Ten people were recognized at the level of Guard and Juror, one person honored as a Prud’homme, one honored as a Master Cheesemaker and one as a Master Honoris Caseus of the International Cheesemakers.
Inductees at the Guard and Jury level
- Anne Gauvreau-Sybille – Fromagerie Anne et Frères, Montreal, Canada
- Massimo Delle Donne – Saputo, Montreal, Canada
- Daniel Allard – CDA Distribution, Anjou, Canada
- Olivier Perret – Sofitel, Montreal, Canada
- Alex Porras – Fromagerie Hamel, Montreal, Canada
- Nancy Portelance – Plaisirs Gourmets, Sainte-Julie, Canada
- Etienne Biotteau – Blue and Blue, Montreal, Canada
- Claudine Laverdure – Yannick Fromagerie, Montreal, Canada
- Nick Tsioros – Olympic Cheese, Toronto, Canada
- Stephanie Vallière – Fromagerie des Nations, Montreal, Canada
- Frédérique Legoupil – Fromagerie des Nations, Montreal, Canada
Promotions and distinctions:
Promoted to the rank of Prud’homme: Simon-Pierre Bolduc, Fromagerie la Station, Compton, Canada
Promoted to the rank of Master Cheesemaker: Maryse Lamoureux – Centre d’Expertise Fromagère du Québec, Montreal, Canada
Highest Distinction, Master Honoris Caseus: Louis Aird, Ambassador of the Guild and Saputo, Montreal, Quebec
This induction celebrates the 15th anniversary of this chapter, which includes members from Australia, Canada, Mexico and the United States.
The event, sponsored by Yannick Fromagerie and Juraflora, representing the Australian, Canada, Mexican and United States Chapters, was held in the Bâtisseurs de Montréal exhibition hall at the Pointe-à-Callière Museum in Montréal, Canada. Following a tradition of splendour of more than fifty years, the ceremony took place with the wearing of dresses and the presentation of medals and certificates.
Internationally renowned cheese expert and Provost of the International Guild, Mr. Roland Barthélemy led the ceremonies, and Yannick Achim, Canadian Ambassador of the New World Chapter, Cathy Strange, President of the Chapter, and Ambassador Stephanie Ciano, representing Australia, Canada, Mexico and the United States, delivered complementary remarks. The ceremony celebrated the 15th anniversary of the Guild Chapter and the contributions of all members.
Chapter Board of Directors
- Chair: Cathy Strange – Whole Foods Market, USA
- Vice-President and Treasurer: David Gremmels
- Ambassador: Stephanie Ciano – World’s Best Cheese, USA
- Ambassador: Yannick Achim – Yannick Fromagerie, Quebec, Canada
- Ambassador: Will Studd – Will Studd Cheese, Australia
- Ambassador: Georgina Yescas – Lactography, Mexico City, Mexico