The Big Cheese! Celebrating 12 Years of Local Food

Armstrong and Spallumcheen will once again host The Big Cheese on April 11 & 12, 2025, celebrating local cheese, regional foods, and more. This annual event, launched in 2013 to mark Armstrong’s Centennial, promises something for everyone—industry professionals, cheese lovers, locals, visitors, and food enthusiasts.

Friday, April 11, 2025 - Industry-Only Events

FOOD & BUYER EXPO2:00 pm - 5:00 pm | Oddfellows Hall & Hassen Arena, Armstrong

This industry-only event brings together local food producers, buyers, and distributors. Local producers can showcase their products in a relaxed setting, while buyers engage in rapid-fire product introductions (speed-dating style). Note for Buyers: Re-registration is necessary through the Armstrong Spallumcheen Chamber of Commerce.

Saturday, April 12, 2025 - Local Food Festival

LOCAL FOOD FESTIVAL9:00 am - 3:00 pm | Hassen Arena, Armstrong

This public event showcases over 65 local producers, offering artisan cheeses, dairy products, and farm-to-table foods. Attendees can sample and purchase products from across the North Okanagan Shuswap and beyond. 

Canadian Cheese Ambassador David Beaudoin will host a Whiskey & Cheese seminar at 11:00 am at Oddfellows Hall. Featuring Okanagan Spirits and After Dark Distillery whisky paired with amazing Canadian cheese! Pre-registration required by April 9th - go to aschamber.com/thebigcheese.

Think you are the ‘big cheese’? Join the fun in the amateur challenges found under the Valley First tent in Hassen arena!

• Amateur Cheese Ball Challenge: Entries accepted 10 am - 12 noon, judging at 12:30 pm. 

• Amateur Grilled Cheese Challenge: Begins at 1:00 pm. 

• Professional Grilled Cheese Challenge: Who will be crowned The BIG Cheese! Winners of all challenges will be announced at 2:00 pm.

Admission: $5 at the door, with food donations encouraged for the Armstrong Food Bank. Live music by Turtle Valley Band thanks to sponsorship from Armstrong General Store. Canadian 2 For 1 Pizza (Armstrong), Gord Oh’s, Moose Caboose and Tsilhgot’in BBQ will be on site and there are lots of amazing local restaurants and businesses that will be happy to have you stop in. 

Ambassadors Dinner 5:30 pm - 10:00 pm | St.Joseph’s Hall

Join David Beaudoin for an intimate dinner featuring courses highlighting 100% Canadian Milk cheese, local produce, beverages and artisan products. This carefully curated menu is the product of an amazing team: Chef Miles Kroeker, Chef Terra Wolsey Orchard Valley Retirement, Chef Colton Syrota Farmstrong Cider Co. & Chef Georgia Mclean The Clove. Tickets are $80, available by April 7 online  This is a 19+ event.

The Big Cheese is presented by Valley First - A Division of First West, with support from Village Dairy, BC Dairy, Dairy Farmers of Canada, BC Food & Beverage, and Land to Table Network. The event is also made possible through contributions from Avalon Event Rentals, Armstrong Spallumcheen Parks and Recreation, the Township of Spallumcheen, City of Armstrong, local media, vendors, and of course - our amazing volunteers!

Follow the Event:  For updates, vendor lists, and more, visit The Big Cheese aschamber.com/thebigcheese.html or follow @TheBigCheeseArmstrong on Facebook and Instagram