Who is Gurth M. Pretty?

Being an ex-Montrealer, my love of cheese was instilled into me as a child by my parents. My father during his business travels throughout La Belle Province, would bring home his latest cheesy discoveries, including fresh, squeaky cheddar curds. My paternal grandparents opened my eyes and awakened my appetite for fine European cheese.

About Me

My knowledge and passion of cheese grew as I worked in professional kitchens in Toronto, Atlanta, Dublin and at international food trade shows in Paris, Nuremberg, and Brussels. I learned from my executive chefs and fellow cooks of the local cheese and how to cook with them.

A professional foodie who shares his passion of food with others.

Cheese professional certified by the Cheese Education Guild of Toronto

Author of the 2007 World Gourmand Cookbook Award-winning The Definitive Guide to Canadian Artisanal & Fine Cheese (Whitecap Books 2006)

Co-author of The Definitive Canadian Wine & Cheese Cookbook (Whitecap Books 2007)

Canadian contributor to the World Book of Cheese (DK Books 2009)

Judge at Canadian and international cheese competitions

Inducted into the Paris-based La Guilde Internationale des Fromagers. 

Certified Red Seal Cook.

Cheese Expert and stage manager at the SIAL Canada trade shows.

Past national spokesman for the Canadian Cheese Grand Prix, organised by the Dairy Farmers of Canada.

 Owned and operated Cheese of Canada, an Oakville-based cheese distribution and retail company .

 I am a big cheesy mouse.

International Cheese Judge

My professional knowledge of cheese is often requested as a judge at Canadian and international cheese competitions.

I have participated at:

  • 2009 and 2011 Canadian Cheese Grand Prix
  • 2017 The Royal Agricultural Winter Fair
  • 2018 Canadian Cheese Awards
  • 2016 and 2020 World Championship Cheese Contest
  • 2011, 2017, 2019 American Cheese Society’s Cheese Competition
  • 2019, 2022 & 2023 President of the jury at the International Cheese Competition by SIAL Canada

Published Author

My love of sharing my cheese knowledge includes the following published books:

The Definitive Guide To Canadian Artisanal & Fine Cheese

Wrote the 2007 Gourmand Cookbook Award-winning The Definitive Guide To Canadian Artisanal & Fine Cheese (Whitecap 2006)

The Definitive Canadian Wine & Cheese Cookbook

Co-wrote The Definitive Canadian Wine & Cheese Cookbook with wine expert Tony Aspler (Whitecap 2007)

World Cheese Book

Contributed the Canadian content and photos for the World Cheese Book (DK 2009)

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