The Schalkwijk family
Sylvan Star Cheese was founded when the Schalkwijk family emigrated from Holland to Alberta in 1995, settling on a dairy farm near Sylvan Lake. With decades of cheesemaking experience passed down through multiple generations, John Schalkwijk began crafting authentic Gouda in Alberta. In 1999, they imported cheesemaking equipment from Holland and officially launched Sylvan Star Cheese, quickly gaining recognition for their exceptional Gouda.
Sylvan Star’s commitment to quality led to numerous awards, including several Canadian Champion titles at the Canadian Cheese Grand Prix. Their renowned Extra Aged Gouda, “Grizzly,” earned global acclaim, ranking as the #4 Gouda worldwide.
Long line of cheesemakers
In 2023, Sylvan Star was taken over by current owner Art Snoek. Art comes from a long line of cheesemakers in Vlist, South Holland. He was inspired by Alberta’s charm during family visits as a teenager. He moved permanently to Canada in 2015 after completing his studies in Dairy Farming and Agricultural Management and established his own cheesemaking business, Alberta Pike, in Innisfail.
In 2022, John approached Art with a proposal to take over Sylvan Star Cheese. Seeing a great opportunity to apply his expertise with an established brand, Art merged his business with Sylvan Star.
New age
Since then, Sylvan Star has refreshed its branding, increased production, and added new product lines. The team is working hard to make the farm store a true tourist attraction. Under Art’s leadership, Sylvan Star aims to become a household name, bringing authentic, premium cheese to tables across Canada.