Le Bureau du Québec Spotlights innovative Gourmet Products from La Belle Province in Ontario
Toronto, May 10, 2023 – Quebec’s status as a foodie destination is sometimes overshadowed by its long history of maple syrup production (they are in fact, the world’s largest maple syrup producer), and its stereotypical love of poutine (just look at any comic strip referencing the province and you’ll see a plate of the famous fries covered with curds and gravy), but Le Bureau du Québec aims to set the record straight once and for all. Happening during the 11th edition of Rendez-vous Gourmet, an annual event organized by Le Bureau that introduces Ontario buyers and chefs to gourmet brands and products that are making waves in La Belle Province, Le Bureau will be showcasing over 500 products that are representative of Quebec’s robust and innovative food scene during a media tour hosted by Chef Romain Avril, Ambassad’Or and Dean of training at Chefs Canada, the organization that manages our national culinary teams including the Bocuse d’Or. Lucky Torontonians will also be able to snag a selection of the Quebec-made gourmet products at Pusateri’s Fine Foods locations for a limited time leading up to Quebec’s national holiday – Saint-Jean-Baptiste – on June 24.
This year’s Rendez-vous Gourmet importantly marks the 50th anniversary of Le Bureau du Québec à Toronto, who work to promote Quebec’s innovation and savvy across the political, economic, social and cultural sectors, to the rest of Canada. The Bureau’s agrifood experts help companies in their market development outside Québec by organizing different activities such as trade missions, business-to-business meetings, trade shows, product validation and strategic market studies.
“We are so proud to promote these brands and products that really define the inventive food scene in Quebec,” explains David Dupuy, Agrifood & Commercial Attaché at Le Bureau du Québec à Toronto. “We look forward to seeing what the next 50 years brings in terms of innovation and creativity on behalf of Quebec gourmets.” The Bureau partners with the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food in Québec to bring the Rendez-vous Gourmet Quebec to Ontario cities each year.
Some of the brands that will be making their Canada-wide debut in time for Saint-Jean-Baptiste feasts are:
Nos Cabanes: taking Quebec’s time-honoured tradition of maple syrup production in a new direction, the small batch maple syrup company capitalizes on the different saps from Quebec’s varied growing regions to make terroir-based maple syrups that are as visually pleasing as they are delicious.
Healtea: bringing their Canadian backyard to yours, Healtea uses healthy and wild “weeds” to make their caffeine-free, organic beverages—the healthier alternative to sodas and cocktails. Made with only four ingredients: water, herbs, lemon juice, and maple syrup, Healtea is available in a range of flavours and in both sparking and still varieties.
Malyna: the solution to healthy snacks on-the-go, Malyna offers single-serve snacks suited to the tastes of the whole family, from the kid-size Snack Attack Mini, which comes in flavours like the fibre-full vanilla cookies & dried apples, to the regular size Snack Attacks. “M2” is an iron-rich combination of corn chips with flaxseed and puffed quinoa that will see you through that afternoon slump.
Fumix: led by like-minded lovers of all things smoked, their snack mixes include S’mores and Maple flavours that have all been smoked using 100% Quebec wood.
Kanel: founded by a group of food and wellness-loving women in Montreal who juggle full-time jobs and families, Kanel offers perfectly balance spice blends using real, premium ingredients, with no preservatives, fillers, allergens and artificial flavourings. From around the world and from sustainable sources, Kanel makes everyday meals easier, faster and tastier.
Allo Simone: Say goodbye to industrial spreads! With no palm oil, less than 30% sugar and made with all-natural ingredients Allo Simone’s nine spreads are made with the best local ingredients to offer decadent, creamy, flavour-full spreads. The best part? They aren’t just for kids! We can’t get enough of their “Hazelnut, dark chocolate and buckwheat” combo as well as their “Almond cardamom and coco nibs” and “Hazelnut, dark chocolate and coffee” concoctions.
La Pimenterie: the brand is known for hot sauces with unique flavour combinations as in their popular ‘Bon Matin” where coffee from Montreal roasters, ZAB cafe, collides with spicy lantern peppers, resulting in “the sauce that wakes you up.”
Anhydra: makers of healthy dried fruit with no additives or preservatives, the founders pride themselves on serving the cocktail and chocolate industries with a trend-driven selection of dried fruits and fruit powders.
“We are so proud to promote these brands and products that really define the inventive food scene in Quebec,” explains David Dupuy, Agrifood & Commercial Attaché at Le Bureau du Québec à Toronto. “We look forward to seeing what the next 50 years brings in terms of innovation and creativity on behalf of Quebec gourmets.” The Bureau partners with the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food in Québec to bring the Rendez-vous Gourmet Quebec to Ontario cities each year.
Look for the brands that will be featured in the 11th edition of Rendez-vous Gourmet Quebec (and in the Foods of Quebec food tour), online at www.media.mapaq.gouv.qc.ca/rdv-gourmet-2023/index.html (live June 1st) or visit a Pusateri’s Fine Foods to take some home to try for yourself.
About the Bureau du Québec à Toronto
The Bureau du Québec à Toronto has the mandate to promote Quebec’s political, economic, social and cultural interests in Ontario, the Prairies and in British Columbia. The Bureau’s solid market expertise to offer a wide range of economic services to promote Québec innovation and know-how and supports Québec businesses in their quest to expand into new markets.
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For more information or to schedule an interview with Chef Romain Avril or someone from Le Bureau du Quebec, contact The PR Department at 416-535-3939. Email: [email protected]
