Experience Cheese Sommelier Vanessa Simmons at the 2026 Great Canadian Cheese Festival.

Vanessa Simmons, Professional Cheese Sommelier and Presenter at The Great Canadian Cheese Festival 2026.
Vanessa Simmons | Cheese Sommelier & Masterclass Presenter

MASTERCLASS PRESENTER

Vanessa Simmons

Cheese Sommelier & Keynote Speaker

A “fanatical” devotee of artisan craft, Vanessa Simmons is a renowned Cheese Sommelier who has spent her career bridging the gap between cheesemakers and consumers. With advanced training from Le Cordon Bleu and the Cheese Education Guild, Vanessa is a frequent keynote presenter and judge at major festivals. She is celebrated for her “creative social experiences,” where she turns a simple tasting into a deep, delicious discovery of Canadian excellence.

All Across the Cheese Board

The Trans-Canada Cheeseway

Embark on a cheese-filled cross-country trip. Join Vanessa as she explores the incredible diversity and excellence of Canadian cheesemakers, paired perfectly with select vintners.

A deeper dive into Canada’s finest artisanal cheese and wine. Experience a curated “tasting flight” from coast to coast, celebrating the makers who define the Canadian palate.

What to Expect

  • The Great Canadian Curated Flight: Embark on a geographic journey across Canada’s premier cheese regions. Discover how climate, “terroir,” and tradition shape the unique character of award-winning wedges from the Maritimes to the West Coast.
  • The Sommelier’s Edge: Go beyond the basics of pairing. Vanessa uses her sommelier training to demonstrate how professional-grade vintages and artisan cheeses interact to create complex, balanced, and elevated flavor profiles.
  • Maker-to-Table Stories: Benefit from Vanessa’s years of work on the “front lines” with cheesemakers. Learn the human stories, secret techniques, and the passion behind the individual artisans that make Canadian cheese world-class.
  • Advanced Tasting Techniques: Refine your own sensory palate. Guided by a Le Cordon Bleu-trained expert, you’ll learn the technical steps of evaluation—sight, scent, texture, and finish—to appreciate cheese like a professional judge.

June 13, 2026

1:00 PM

Reserve My Seat – $65

June 14, 2026

2:00 PM

Reserve My Seat – $65

Expertise, Education, and Excellence

Vanessa Simmons has spent countless hours on the “front lines” of the cheese world, working alongside both cheesemongers and cheesemakers. She specializes in creating “creative social experiences”—events where consumers discover fine wine, craft beer, and artisan cheese through the lens of a sommelier.

Vanessa’s formal training is extensive, including Level 2 from the Toronto Cheese Education Guild and a Basic Cuisine Certificate from the prestigious Le Cordon Bleu Culinary Arts Institute. Her tasting seminars are famous for their depth and storytelling, leading the Toronto Star to describe her as “openly fanatical about artisan cheese.”

A familiar voice in Canadian media, Vanessa has appeared on CBC Radio, CTV Morning Live, and Rogers TV. She has served as a keynote presenter at numerous festivals and as a distinguished judge at Selection Caseus—Le Concours de Fromages Fins de Québec.

Experience the Full Festival

Discover the artisan vendors, more masterclasses.

The Artisan Marketplace

Explore the award-winning cheesemakers, craft breweries, and small-batch producers.

Meet the Artisans

All Tutored Tastings

From whisky pairings to non-alcoholic alchemy—see the full weekend schedule

View Full Lineup

Tickets & Info

Get the details on admission levels, location, and how to make the most of your weekend.

Festival Home

Don’t miss out, join the community!