This morning, the Lauriers de la gastronomie québécoise unveiled the finalists for the 2021 edition during a virtual event hosted by Christine Plante, founder and director of the event.
In December 2019, the Lauriers de la gastronomie québécoise announced the launch of its third edition, its jury, and even new categories. In March 2020, in the midst of a global pandemic, the organization was forced to postpone the gala, which was scheduled for late April. Ultimately, this third edition never took place.
PHOTO ANDRE PICHETTE, PHOTO ; ANDRE PICHETTE
Christine Plante, founder and general director of the Lauriers.
"Last year at this time we were in shock. The Lauriers were not spared by the pandemic and we skipped a year. We decided, at the dawn of 2021, to come back. The industry needs to come together. When things are not going well, it is even more important to be together and support each other." - Christine Plante, founder and CEO of the Lauriers
In January, the ovens were reignited for a special edition, under the theme of reviving the industry. The organization invited the jury, chaired this year by sommelier and columnist Véronique Rivest, and the brigade, which brings together some 5,000 industry professionals, to vote for ambassadors of this revival, in 17 categories.
From Val-David to Percé
The finalists, determined 50% by votes from the brigade and 50% by the jury, come from a variety of backgrounds. The awards showcase the work of chefs, artisans, and entrepreneurs—some more established, others emerging—in Montreal, Quebec City, and several regions across the province.
PHOTO MARCO CAMPANOZZI, THE PRESS
La Belle Histoire restaurant has been nominated for Restaurant of the Year. Its co-owner, Sophie Allaire, is a finalist for Sommelier of the Year and Best Service Award.
Sophie Allaire, of La Belle Histoire, is nominated twice, in the categories of "Sommelier of the Year" and "Best Service Award." Fanny Ducharme, chef at L'Épicurieux restaurant, as well as the duo of Arianne Faucher and Nicolas Quinto, who formerly worked at L'Épicurieux and behind the new Baumier Bar à vin, in Piedmont, are nominated for "Revelations of the Year," alongside Anita Feng (J'ai Feng), Christophe Mamelonet (La Maison du pêcheur, Percé) and Menu Extra, composed of sommelier Alexis Demers, Martin C. Pariseau and chefs Camillo Nacimento-Lapointe and Francis Blais.
PHOTO MARTIN TREMBLAY, LAPRESSE
Menu Extra is a finalist in two categories: Revelation and Chef of the Year.
The Menu Extra chefs are also in the prestigious "Chefs of the Year" category, alongside Colombe St-Pierre (Chez St-Pierre), Charles-Antoine Crête (Montréal Plaza), Dyan Solomon (Foxy, Olive+Gourmando, Un Po Di Piu), Fisun Ercan (Bika Ferme & Cuisine), Graziella Battista (Graziella), John Winter Russell (Candide), Julien Masia (ARVI), Marc Olivier Frappier (Vin Mon Lapin) and Vincent Dion-Lavallée (La Cabane d'à côté).
New category
The new "Brewer, Winemaker or Beverage Producer of the Year" category highlights the work of five finalists from Brasserie Auval, Menaud, Ferme Apicole Desrochers D., Cirka Distilleries and Domaine du Nival.
PHOTO PATRICK SANFACON/LA PRESSE
Fernande Ouellet, of Rusé Comme Un Canard, is a finalist in the “Producer of the Year” category.
Food autonomy has been a hot topic for the past year. The "Producers of the Year" category features Antoine Nicolas (Un Océan de Saveurs), Fernande Ouellet (Rusé Comme Un Canard), Jean-Martin Fortier (La Ferme des Quatre-Temps), Lysiane Roy Maheu and Dominique Lynch-Gauthier (Blanc de gris), and Vicky Vaillancourt (O'Citrus). The "Artisan of the Year" category highlights the work of the artisans behind Couleur Chocolat, Lecavalier Petrone, Fou du Cochon, Pascal le boucher, and Aliments Viens.
The other categories are: Pastry Chef, Baker, Sommelier, Mixologist, Best Service Award, Producer, Artisan, Business or Initiative of the Year, Event of the Year, Culinary Culture Promotion Award, and Gastronomic Tourism Award. Visit the Lauriers website for full details.
Voting to determine the winners will continue until April 12. The winners will be announced on May 24 during a free, open-to-all virtual studio gala hosted by Christian Bégin. The organization plans to hold small gatherings in restaurants across Quebec, following the health guidelines in effect at the time. Details will be announced in early May.
