In this new edition of Fast Delivery, you will be happy to learn more about the Montreal in Lights event, which has kept an important place for local gastronomy for 25 years. Also, news on this competition that grocery stores have towards restaurants with their ready-to-eat meals. Finally, we will talk about a long-awaited return to McDonald's. Good reading!
First, the Montreal Highlights festival, celebrating its 25th anniversary in less than a month, is the only major winter festival spotlighting gastronomy in North America. Over the 25 years, the gourmet wing of the event has attracted more than 700 international guests, making Montreal a capital of good food.
The festival began in 2000 with the gastronomic component quickly achieving great success, attracting renowned chefs from around the world. Beyond fashions, the festival reflected the evolution of the culinary scene, moving from formal tables to more convivial atmospheres and integrating various culinary influences.
Quebec chefs, often trained by the festival, are now recognized for their talent, creativity and commitment to responsible values.
For its 25th anniversary, the festival offers a varied program including chef duos, special events and the Quartier gourmand with free activities between March 1 and 9. The event aims to celebrate the rich culinary, cultural and identity heritage of Montreal.
Then, certain IGA supermarkets compete with restaurants by offering blackboard menus, hot dishes and areas with chairs, responding to a growing demand for prepared products.
IGA's strategy is to offer restaurant-like products, such as submarines, pizza, sushi, salad and poké, at more attractive prices. Branches, like the one in Blainville, attract a regular clientele with meals for lunch and dinner, offering a daily menu for $15. Supermarkets are adapting their concepts to meet the growing demand for prepared products, offering a variety of ready meals.
Some owners of neighboring restaurants do not see the presence of supermarket bistros as a threat to their turnover, highlighting differences in clientele and specialties.
To conclude, McDonald's announces the return of the McCôte, a legendary sandwich that had disappeared from the menu for ten years, starting now in Canadian restaurants, in response to strong customer demand.
The McCôte, made with boneless pork rib pâté, barbecue sauce, sliced onions and pickle between two slices of toasted country bread, will be available for a limited time.
Alyssa Buetikofer, Vice-President and Chief Marketing Officer of McDonald's Canada, emphasizes that the McCôte is a phenomenon appreciated by lifelong loyalists and new admirers. Despite its temporary return, McCôte will be available in the dining room, in the drive-thru, via the McDonald's application and for delivery.
