On the menu for this edition of Fast delivery, a great story for the rebirth of Pasta Si!, expansion plans for the chain specializing in breakfasts L’Oeufrier and the important challenges of Colombe St-Pierre.
First, Myriam Audet is the new owner of Pasta Si!. She is still amazed by the fact of leading the establishment of the Grand Marché de Québec after an unexpected invitation. The meeting with David Desmarais, founder of the company in 2007, was decisive, facilitated through his partner Philippe Labbé. The transaction was finalized last December, and since January, Myriam has been at the helm, making a radical change after 16 years in the pharmaceutical industry. She learns about administration, food production and customer service while expressing the need to slow down despite her many ideas.
Well supported by a team of nine people and with the support of David Desmarais for at least a year, Myriam Audet is gradually becoming familiar with her new role. For his part, David Desmarais explains that although Pasta Si! was not initially for sale, various factors pushed him to change course after 15 years of management, seeking to free himself from full responsibility and reconnect with his old passions.
Second, L'Œufrier, specializing in breakfasts, is strengthening its presence in Quebec, exploring new cities and planning to open branches in smaller locations over the next fifteen months. The banner, created in 1995, has an average turnover of $60 million and employs 1,400 people in the province.
In Sherbrooke among others, a group of investors will open two branches in the coming months, aiming to attract a young and dynamic clientele.
L'Œufrier aims to be present in every neighborhood of Quebec, adapting each branch to its local environment, with a diverse offering of more than 20 choices of eggs Benedict. Pedro Medina, general manager of the La Buff group, emphasizes that Quebec culture always offers a place for lunch.
Finally, chef Colombe St-Pierre, owner of the gourmet restaurant Chez Saint-Pierre in Rimouski, has already considered putting an end to her career as a restaurateur due to the persistent challenges in the environment, emphasizing that she did not see, at this moment, how she could get out of it.
This is what she declared on TVA during the show La vérité nature.
Despite her reputation and the quality of her dishes, she still faces the brutality of the restaurant industry, working 19-hour days and having experienced difficult pregnancies. The success of her restaurant has contradicted skeptics, but she recognizes the difficulties encountered. If Colombe St-Pierre is considering a career change, she could be tempted by a foray into politics.
She is still the mentor of aspiring chefs on the show Les Chefs!
