Molecular cuisine at Pullman: Chef Alejandro Digillo of La Vinería de Gualterio Bolívar in Buenos Aires has worked with the godfather of cutting-edge contemporary cuisine Ferran Adria. Chef Digillo has received several honours for his trendy yet unpretentious local and seasonal cuisine that focuses on applying new techniques in the kitchen. Expect some showmanship and a little bit of the theatrical when he takes over the Pullman kitchen during this year’s fest. February 26-27, 2013, Pullman, 3424 Parc, (514) 288-7779

Lunch around the world: What better way to spend your lunch hour then to travel around the world in search of exotic flavours? From February 25 to March 1, take your taste buds – and your coworkers – on a whirlwind culinary trip. All 6 of these restaurants will be offering 3-course lunch menus for $14.95. Any of these spots would be wonderful but my personal favourites are Byblos and Rumi. February 25 to March 1, 2013, Various locations

Festival of Quebec cheeses: This free activity is a must for all cheese lovers. It’s a great opportunity to discover more than 60 Quebec-made cheeses and meet some of the cheesemakers who will all be gathered at Complexe Desjardins for a 4-day cheese extravaganza. Quebec cheeses have come a long way in the past 20 years and they now rival some of the best imported cheeses. Go on the hunt for your new favourite cheese, learn how to distinguish regional qualities and discover everything you always wanted to know about the intricate process of cheese making from the masters themselves. February 20-23, 2013, Complexe Desjardins, 150 Sainte-Catherine West, (514) 281-1870

Sweet Sucre at Auberge Saint-Gabriel: Sucre is one of the hottest restaurants in Buenos Aires right now and we are lucky to have its chef Hugo Macchia at Montreal en lumière this year. Chef Macchia has worked in some of the world’s best kitchens, including 3-Michelin starred Mugaritz in Spain. He will be a guest chef at Auberge Saint Gabriel where he should be in his element thanks to the similarities between his native and adoptive restaurants, mainly the large cellar and roaster set in a welcoming, hip ambiance. February 21-22, 2013, Auberge Le Saint-Gabriel, 426 Saint-Gabriel, (514) 878-3561

Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean at the Jean-Talon Market: The Jean-Talon market mezzanine will play host to a makeshift bazaar that will welcome 12 producers and food processors from the Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean region. Discover these welcoming producers, exchange recipes and ideas and discuss their unique products, from dairy products and meats to spices, preserves, jams and regional specialties. February 23-24, 2013, Jean-Talon Market (Mezzanine level, 2^nd floor), 7070 Henri-Julien, (514) 277-1588

The post TOP 5 MONTRÉAL EN LUMIÈRE FOODIE PICKS appeared first on Tourisme Montréal Blog.

Like every year, Montréal en lumière will blow a gust of warm air through Montreal. About 30 guest chefs will pair up with some of Montreal’s very own to create special dining experiences for this festive occasion.

The festival’s gastronomy program will be headed by renowned Argentinean chef Francis Mallmann (Patagonia Sur), who will take over restaurant Europea’s kitchen on the evenings of February 22 and 23. The 11 days of festivities planned will see some of Argentinia’s most famous cooks taking over the city’s kitchens. The flavours of Buenos Aires will shine in the dining rooms of the 50 participating restaurants for the festival’s Finest Tables segment.

Montreal’s culinary diversity will be highlighted during the festival in the Lunching Around the World segment. The 6 ambassadors – Byblos, La Khaïma, Salon Mogador, Prato Pizzeria, Rumi and Restaurant Tasca – will be offering a fixed price lunch menu for $14.95.

The Jean-Talon market will see Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean producers and chefs exchanging ideas and showcasing their products, while l’Académie Culinaire Culinary workshops will teach the tricks and techniques required to recreate rich and flavourful Argentinean dishes. You’d also be wise to check out the Quebec Chefs and Cheeses competition, which is looking for judges of 12 culinary creations by 4 chef finalists and concocted using Quebec cheeses.

THE DETAILS

Montréal en lumière, February 21 to March 3, 2013

The post INTERNATIONAL CUISINE DELIGHTS DINERS AT MONTRéAL EN LUMIèRE appeared first on Tourisme Montréal Blog.

As part of the Montreal High Lights Festival, the Festival of Quebec Cheeses will have more than 50 Quebec cheeses to taste and a vast selection of wines during its 6^th edition. Here’s a head start: try Caseus, Le Louis d’Or, Le Pizy and Mont-Jacob, which are all top prize winners and more than delicious, so you will probably buy one (or two!) after tasting.

During the event you’ll be able to chat with master cheese-makers. They will explain how different regional qualities (for example: how types of grass affect the milk used for the cheese) define the character of their products. As well, you will have the opportunity to see (and sip!) wines that pair best with the Québecois cheeses.

Two locations for the Festival of Quebec Cheeses

At Complexe Desjardins, you can sample the tasty products in the main concourse. While up at Jean-Talon Market, chefs from Charlevoix, a charming rural area of Quebec where the river, forests and climate contribute to a grassy land rich for goats and cows, will host free workshops in the Mandoline Room. Among the five topics offered each day will be the region’s specialties: lamb, veal, smoked salmon and foie gras. Montreal chef Jean-Paul Grappe will work with four Charlevoix chefs (Jean-Michel Bréton, Mario Chabot, Steve Rondeau and Pascal Gavel) and producers to discuss the yummy variety of products.

Jean-Talon market is the internationally famous outdoor market that is open all year round (yes, even in our snowy months!). This is a really fun market, so you should put aside at least a couple of hours to stroll, to see – and to sample. Many stands put out a free offering of their produce, so you can munch on a bit of local cucumber or celery while trying a sharp cheddar. There will also be free workshops conducted by cheese producers from around Quebec.

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DETAILS

February 17-27: Montreal High Lights Festival

February 19-20: Festival of Quebec Cheeses

Jean-Talon Market, 7070 Henri-Julien, Metro: Jean Talon

Complexe Desjardins, 150 St-Catherine Street West, Metro: Place des Arts

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