The Wallonia-Brussels regions
at the MONTRÉAL EN LUMIÈRE head table
Also on the menu: Seattle and its wine-growing regions, and the Outaouais
Tickets for Festival Special Events on sale now
Montreal, Tuesday, November 29, 2011 — The upcoming 13th edition of MONTRÉAL EN LUMIÈRE presented by RBC features Belgium and the Wallonia-Brussels region with its talented chefs, master chocolatiers and artists. The Gastronomy Program promises to be especially delectable thanks to our European guests, but it will also offer many activities with a distinctly American flair with the presence of Seattle (and the wine-growing regions of Washington and Oregon) on the menu as featured city. Closer to home, gourmands can join us at Jean-Talon Market to discover a delicious Quebec region, the Outaouais. Three gourmet destinations in one festival, from Thursday, February 16 to Sunday, February 26, 2012.
Yves Mattagne, honorary president
The gastronomy of the Wallonia-Brussels regions will be represented by the festival’s honorary president, chef Yves Mattagne, double-starred by the famed Guide Michelin and whose Restaurant Sea Grill has hugely contributed to the gastronomic renown of Brussels. The honorary president of this year’s Gastronomy Program follows Anne-Sophie Pic (Valence, 2011), Fausto Airoldi (Portugal, 2010), Alain Passard (Paris, 2009), Susur Lee (Toronto, 2008), Daniel Boulud (New York City, 2007), Émile Jung (Alsace, 2006), Gualtiero Marchesi (Northern Italy, 2005), Georges Blanc (Rhône-Alpes, 2004), Santi Santamaria (Catalonia, 2003), Serge Dansereau (Australia, 2002), Charlie Trotter (Chicago, 2001) and Paul Bocuse (France, 2000).
A Gastronomy Program to whet every appetite
Fine food is always a star of MONTRÉAL EN LUMIÈRE! As the flagship of the festival, the Gastronomy Program is renowned as a must-see (and must-taste!) event. And this year is no exception, as great chefs and vintners gather to celebrate the famous fifty Air France Finest Tables, which have helped build the city’s reputation as a gourmet destination. This unique “pairing” concept spotlights the incredible talents of Montreal chefs and that of the visiting chefs as they team together to create extraordinary dining experiences. The tables will once again be perfectly set for a global gourmet celebration with visiting chefs and winemakers:
From Brussels: Jean‑Pierre Bruneau, Bruneau, Gaëtan Collin, Le Jaloa, Nicolas Darnauguilhem, Neptune, Alex Malaise, Flâneries Gourmandes, Vincenzo Regine, Via Lamanna, Nicolas Scheidt, La Buvette, Le Café des Spores, Tjaco van Eijken, Crystal Lounge (Hôtel Sofitel Le Louise);
From Wallonia: Luc Broutard, La Table du Boucher, François Deremiens, Deremiens artisan chocolatier, Mario Elias, Le Cor de Chasse, Jacques Marit, Restaurant Jacques Marit, Éric and Tristan Martin, Lemonnier, Laurent Martin, La Frairie, Clément Petitjean, La Grappe d’Or, Pierre Résimont, L’Eau Vive, Raphaël Sabel, Le Sélys (Hôtel Crowne Plaza);
From Seattle: Matthew Dillon, The Corson Building, Jason Franey, Canlis Restaurant, Ethan Stowell, Staple & Fancy Mercantile, Thierry Rautureau, Rover’s, Jason Stratton, Spinasse, Jason Wilson, Crush;
From the Outaouais: Denis Girard and Serge Rourre, Le Baccara (Casino du Lac‑Leamy), Gérard Fisher, Le Tartuffe, Jean-Claude Chartrand, L’Orée du Bois, Gaétan Tessier, La Table des Trois Vallées, Romain Riva, Wakefield Mill, and Christopher Mulder, Bistro St-Jacques.
The wine list will feature ambassadors from vineyards Bergevin Lane (Amber Lane), Domaine Drouhin (David Millman), Gordon Brothers Family Vineyards (Jeff Gordon), Hedges Family Estate (Christophe Hedges), King Estate Winery (Steve Thompson), L’Ecole No. 41 (Marty Clubb), Long Shadows (Gilles Nicault), Milbrandt Vineyards (Butch Milbrandt), Rotie Cellars (Sean Boyd), Precept Wine (Kirk Brewer) and Willamette Valley Vineyards (Jim Bernau).
Special Events
Honorary President Yves Mattagne’s Dinners presented by RBC
MONTRÉAL EN LUMIÈRE brings the menu of Restaurant Sea Grill to Montreal featuring the culinary creations by chef Yves Mattagne at the prestigious Honorary President’s Dinners presented by RBC. The great chef will be welcomed to Toqué! by Normand Laprise, in collaboration with Belgian-born Montreal chef Marc De Canck of restaurant La Chronique. And for the first time, the festival will present three gourmet evenings – Friday, February 17, Saturday, February 18 and Sunday, February 19, starting at 6:30 p.m., Toqué!
The Wallonia-Brussels Convivial Meal
Honest, comforting market-fresh cuisine: that’s what young chef Nicolas Scheidt offers on the menus of his restaurants, Le Café des Spores and La Buvette. He devises his daily menus according to available ingredients and the inspiration of the moment. In that same spirit, he will create dishes for this Wallonia-Brussels Convivial Meal, featuring local and seasonal Quebec products along with Walloon chocolate maker François Deremiens and the Fairmont The Queen Elizabeth brigade. Saturday, February 25, 7 p.m., Marché Bonsecours.
Presenting: Quebec Chefs and Cheeses—Toqués des fromages d’ici competition
Four chef finalists from Montreal restaurants will once again craft 12 culinary dishes using Quebec cheeses presented in 3 thematic courses and paired with excellent wines. This popular event is judged by 400 dinner guests to award the winning chef with the grand prize of $5,000. Presented by Quebec Cheeses. Saturday, February 18, 6:30 p.m., Grand Salon, Fairmont The Queen Elizabeth.
The Outaouais in the spotlight at Jean-Talon Market
On Saturday, February 18 and Sunday, February 19, Jean-Talon Market is the place to discover the tastes of a Quebec region where 10 producers and processors invite the public to bite into the Outaouais with the delights that have made them famous. Gourmands can also attend culinary workshops hosted by Jean-Paul Grappe, chef-consultant to the festival, and five chefs from the Outaouais — Guy Blain (L’Orée du Bois), Gérard Fischer (Le Tartuffe), Romain Riva (Moulin Wakefield), along with Luc Gielen and Gaétan Tessier (Chocolaterie ChocoMotive).
The Air France Culinary Workshops
Thanks to Air France, MONTRÉAL EN LUMIÈRE and the La Guilde Culinaire, epicures can take part in culinary workshops presented by chef and owner Jonathan Garnier and his team, refining their cooking techniques and delight in savoury dishes they can recreate at home. The first course (February 16, 17, 18, 24 and 25, 6 p.m.), will feature a marriage of typical Belgian and Quebecois ingredients (mussels, beer, maple syrup…), while the second (February 18 and 25, 10 a.m.) will sweeten things up with six traditional desserts, also inspired by Belgium and Quebec.
Lunching Around the World
Seven ambassadors of Montreal’s culinary diversity—Byblos Le Petit Café, La Khaïma, Salon Mogador, Prato Pizzeria et Café, Rumi, Restaurant Tasca and Stromboli— welcome the public to the relaxed ambience of Lunching Around the World, where the exotic flavours of their daily creations are offered in three courses for one price: $12.95. Monday, February 20 to Friday, February 24.
Fine Dining and Film
MONTRÉAL EN LUMIÈRE, in collaboration with Cinema Excentris and restaurant Méliès, offers two activities where the public can enjoy a theme meal inspired by a film served in a screening room specially appointed for the occasion.
Voluptuous dining delight: chocolate for all your senses! — Enjoy a unique menu of savoury aromas, inspired by the movie Chocolat, directed by Lasse Hallström. Saturday, February 18, 7 p.m.
Ratatouille: the Ciné-Brunch! — Rediscover the Oscar-winning movie Ratatouille while enjoying the inspired dishes of chef Alfredo Linguini and his mentor, Remy the rat. Sunday, February 19, at noon.
Sensory Lectures
In collaboration with the Cœur des sciences cultural scientific centre of UQAM, the festival invites the public to attend two interesting lectures and sensory experiments. Cœur des sciences — UQAM (Agora Hydro-Québec).
The raw materials of chocolate, Tuesday, February 21, 6 p.m.
Cheeses: shedding light on regional differences — Why do cheeses have specific identities? What are the scientific and cultural causes behind their unique flavours? Includes a tasting of Quebec cheeses. Thursday, February 23, 6 p.m.
Tickets already on sale
Tickets for the special events are already on sale:
· Honorary President Yves Mattagne’s Dinners—reservations: 514 499-2084 (Toqué!).
· The Wallonia-Brussels Convivial Meal—reservations: 1 855 790-1245, admission.com or ticketmaster.ca.
· Air France Culinary Workshops—reservations: 514 750-6050, laguildeculinaire.com.
· Ratatouille: the Ciné-Brunch! and Voluptuous dining delight: chocolate for all your senses!—reservations: 514 847-9272 (Ex-Centris)
· Sensory lectures: The raw materials of chocolate and Cheeses: shedding light on regional differences—reservations mandatory: 514 987-0357, coeurdessciences.uqam.ca
· Presenting: Quebec Chefs and Cheeses—reservations: 1 855 790-1245, admission.com or ticketmaster.ca.
· Air France Finest Tables—reservations required with participating restaurants.
· Lunching Around the World—reservations required with participating restaurants.
Give the gift of gastronomy!
Christmas, Valentine’s Day, birthdays… gift certificates to the Finest Tables make a delectable gift idea for all your foodie friends on any occasion! With events taking place at some 50 restaurants over the span of eleven days, treat someone you love to an exciting gourmet experience. Simply contact the restaurant directly to get your certificates.
MONTRÉAL EN LUMIÈRE accommodation packages
To fully experience MONTRÉAL EN LUMIÈRE, Fairmont The Queen Elizabeth and the Hôtel Delta Montréal will offer the Winter Tasty Treats package from $282, from February 17 to 19 and February 24 to 26, 2012, which includes:
Two nights accommodation in a charming hotel located in downtown Montreal
Two breakfasts
Culinary tour Flavours and Aromas of Old Montreal
A wine & cheese tasting at SAQ Bistro (for 2 people)
A $10 rebate for the “Circuit d’eaux” package at Bota Bota Spa-sur-l’eau
A $10 gift certificate from Les Délices de l’Érable
A package of black tea from Sri Lanka, soaked in maple syrup
Hard candy made from 100% pure maple syrup
Two scarves with the festival’s logo
· A bag with the festival’s logo
Also, the Hyatt Regency Montréal and the Days Inn Montréal Centre-ville will offer the MONTRÉAL EN LUMIÈRE Family Package from $124, from February 17 to 26, 2012, which includes:
Two nights accommodation in a charming hotel located in downtown Montreal
breakfasts
A voucher for the dairy bar le Lait (for 2 people)
A $10 gift certificate from Les Délices de l’Érable
A package of black tea from Sri Lanka, soaked in maple syrup
Hard candy made from 100% pure maple syrup
Scarves with the festival’s logo
· bags with the festival’s logo
Taxes and administration fees are not included. Prices are in Canadian dollars, based on double occupancy. For further information and to reserve this package: montrealenlumiere.com.
Get all the info on MONTRÉAL EN LUMIÈRE
The free official program with all the info on the MONTRÉAL EN LUMIÈRE gastronomy and arts programs is available from all Renaud-Bray and SAQ outlets in greater Montreal, participating venues, CD stores, theatres, the restaurants of the Air France Finest Tables, and from most Montreal cultural sites. You can also call the Info‑Lumière line at 514 288‑9955 or toll-free at 1 85LUMIERES, or visit montrealenlumiere.com.
The free outdoor site program will be unveiled on February 1, while the program of the Nuit blanche presented by Hydro-Québec will be announced February 7. The 13th edition of MONTRÉAL EN LUMIÈRE will be held from Thursday, February 16 to Sunday, February 26, 2012.