Montreal Highlights Festival 2009

It’s out... the schedule of the 10th Anniversary of the Montreal Highlights Festival that is. This annual celebration that livens up our brutal winter includes a spectacular gastronomy program worth considering. Every year, a city is featured and chefs from the selected metropolis are invited to cook side by side with some of Montreal’s finest. A wine region is also featured. As this is a milestone year, they have decided to reinvite Paris and make the focus French wines.

What I particularly enjoy about this event is the opportunity to sample some of the world’s best cuisine, by some of the most talented individuals, and this often for a fraction of the price of what it would cost if I patronized their restaurants. Not to mention that the wine pairings are a great opportunity to try new combinations and varietals one might otherwise shy away from. We often speak of restaurants as being an experience; this is about as amazing of an experience as you can get.

For the full schedule, click on the following link: http://www.montrealenlumiere.com/documents/2009/FML_guide_plaisirs_2009.pdf

Street Food Montreal: A Documentary

As part of a documentary series created to showcase the cultures of the world, television station Al-Jazeera English produced a two part show on Montreal.

The Street Food series travels the world and uncovers the foods common to various cultures, all while discussing the politics behind them, be they religious like in Jerusalem or language-based like in Montreal.

We don’t have “street food” in Montreal like in most cities (thankfully because I can’t say that a hot dog from a cart ever appealed to me), however we do have a particular approach to food, especially in our quest for the authentic. So rather than Street Food in Montreal, I like to think we are defined more as “Word on the Street About Food”. Who makes the best gelato, where do they have the most bona fide falafel, and which cheese monger takes the best care of his products? These are the questions that pepper a Montrealer’s discussions regarding their culture at the table and in the markets.

So take a few months to view these two clips. Perhaps they will confirm what you already think about our epicurean ethos or spark desire to debate the truths (or not) proffered by the participants of the documentary. In the least, you’ll get some great views of our beautiful city and especially the markets.

Street Food Montreal: Part 1

Street Food Montreal: Part 2

Taste Some Mushroom Butter!

As a fan of La Table des Jardins Sauvages, I feel it is my obligation to spread the word on the good stuff that comes out of the collaboration between François Brouillard and Nancy Hinton. And they have just created a reason for us to spread some more mushroom love with their new boletus mushroom butter.

If you have been to their restaurant then you have been privy to this product, but in case you haven’t for some odd reason made it there yet, there will be an opportunity for you to taste it in town. On November 29th as of 9am at the Jean-Talon Market, François will be on the second floor with some journalists, ready to answer your questions and hand you a sample. Be warned however, after a taste, you’ll certainly want to make some extra room in your Saturday market shopping bag for this treat.

For any inquiries, please contact François at (450) 588.5125 or email him at info@jardinssauvages.com. And please check out the web site as well: www.jardinssauvages.com

Vin-no-va-tion Blog

Here is a blog by a friend - someone who has a great palate and is a pleasure to be around. A newbie to the blogging world, Dominic is an expert when it comes to Burgundy wines as well as when it comes to letting us know what the real deal is when it comes to wines. Read it for fun and/or for learning - either way, you'll be rewarded:

http://vin-no-va-tion.blogspot.com

And don't hesitate to send him an email in order to be included on his mailing list and discover what other gems he has unearthed for us to taste and enjoy: info@vinnovation.ca

Gremolata Collaboration

Sharing is always fun and when I was asked to be a "local contributor" on Gremolata, a Canadian food and wine web site, I just couldn't resist.

From time to time, I plan to write pieces about the research that I do, come across, or just find interesting. The topics will be a bit more academically infused than those found on my personal site but they remain steeped with the same curiosity. On a personal note, it's nice to be able to fuse my two passions, and hope you find it relevant as well.

The first intallment discusses Canadian grocery shoppers, their profiles, and some considerations when it comes to marketing in this retail space. Happy reading!

Understanding the Canadian Grocery Shopper