If you're looking for a series to binge-watch when bad weather gets in the way of your next summer plans, we've got a suggestion for you, and we'll talk a bit more about it in this article. We also discuss the best restaurant in Canada, Mon Lapin, and one of the shareholders Alex Landry. Finally, we will present the outline of the next Fêtes Gourmandes de Lanaudière.
Let's start with Stefano Faita, this chef and entrepreneur, who obviously leads a hectic life with his four restaurants and his food company. Now you can follow him daily in the documentary series called “Stefano” on the Vrai platform.
During filming, Stefano had to deal with the death of his father and major renovations to his house. The series also features his partner, Isabelle Lemme, and their children, as well as his mother Elena, who runs the family business. Stefano is surrounded by a team that manages his restaurants, while he mainly focuses on his food products with his partner Michele Forgione. The Stefano line now includes more than 60 products, and the goal is to expand the presence on the Quebec and Canadian market.
The documentary series also explores Stefano's Italian roots, with a visit to his father's native village and meetings with his family. Stefano recognizes the importance of spending time with his mother and wants to better organize his business to have more time with his family.
Let's continue with this news from the Canada's 100 Best list which named the Mon Lapin restaurant, located in the Little Italy district of Montreal, as the best restaurant in Canada.
Our colleagues from Info Dimanche spoke with Alex Landry, a native of Rivière-du-Loup, who is one of the five shareholders of the restaurant that has become one of the most prominent in Montreal.
Since the rankings were released in May 2023, Mon Lapin has garnered media attention across the country and been widely discussed by food lovers. Alex Landry and his team are proud of this recognition and share this success with their entire team.
Canada's 100 Best ranking was compiled by 135 judges, including chefs, food critics and discerning consumers, who voted for their favorite restaurants in Canada based on overall experience. In Quebec, about thirty restaurants were included in the ranking, several of them appearing among the top 50. Although the ranking may be debated, it remains an important reference in the country and has a significant impact.
Mon Lapin has been acclaimed for its dishes, wines, ambiance and impeccable service, offering a "fun dining" experience that showcases seasonal produce and local flavors. Alex Landry, who began his career in the hotel and restaurant industry in Rivière-du-Loup, is inspired by his roots and seeks to offer a familiar and warm experience in his restaurant. He considers that his apprenticeship in the Bas-du-Fleuve has shaped his approach and wishes to be a showcase for Montreal and Quebec. Managing the wine list is also part of Alex Landry's responsibilities at Mon Lapin, who has developed a growing interest in sommellerie over the years.
Let's end with the presentation of the 18th Fêtes Gourmandes de Lanaudière which will take place from August 18 to 20 at the Parc des Cultures, in Saint-Jacques, with chef Jean-François Plante as spokesperson.
Chef Plante describes himself as a cook of happiness, using aromatics to give flavor and personality to his cuisine. He believes that a good cook is capable of using simple and economical ingredients to magnify them, and he wishes to highlight this approach during the Fêtes Gourmandes. Plante sees himself as a greedy communicator, eager to simplify things and share his knowledge with the public. He is delighted to be able to promote local products, agritourism and sustainable development during the event. Festival-goers will have the opportunity to meet chef Plante, discover new products and attend his cooking demonstrations.
In addition to culinary activities, the Fêtes Gourmandes will offer exhibitions, musical performances and tastings of local beers. The program will include artists such as Étienne Drapeau, King Melrose, Bleu Jeans Bleu, Martin Deschamps, Patrick Normand and Alain François.
