Michele Forgione and Stefano Faita have raised the bar in Montreal’s Little Italy, setting a new standard with a local and unique take on Italian food. In this generous interview, Michele, echoing in his book Montréalissimo, explains what sets Montreal’s Italian community – and cuisine – apart. He also recounts his long history in the…
Jean-Philippe Tastet: 20 ans et plus dans les restaurants de Montréal
Jean-Philippe Tastet est critique de restaurants pour le quotidien Le Devoir pour plus de 20 ans. Au cours de notre premier balado GRILLED en langue française, il nous parle de son parcours à travers des millers de restaurants qui font de Montréal sa renommée gastronomique. Comme d’habitude, vous pouvez écoutez en cliquant sur le lien…
Hanging with David McMillan at Joe Beef (in the backyard)
We recently had the pleasure of sitting with internationally-respected chef David McMillan on an uncharacteristically warm and sunny late Fall day in the garden behind his signature restaurant, Joe Beef. He was generous and open and spoke to us at length about his career, his fellow chefs, and what it has been like to…
Making Beauty’s a Montreal landmark since 1942: Hymie and Larry Skolnick speak.
From Dean Martin, Dustin Hoffman and Alan Arkin to avid fans from Montreal, Toronto and points abroad, Hymie (95!) and Larry (69) Skolnick and their family have made welcomed satisfied customers from all walks of life for four generations. For decades, they’ve made Beauty’s Luncheonette a Montreal culinary and cultural landmark. In this podcast, they…
A personal history of the Montreal bagel: an interview with Saint-Viateur’s Nick Morena
Nick Morena and his brothers were born into the bagel business. Their father, Joe Morena, worked at and eventually became the owner of Saint-Viateur Bagel, a 24/7 mainstay of Montreal’s food scene for decades. From its original location in Montreal’s Mile End district, the Saint Viateur Bagel brand has spread throughout the city, with retail…
Discipline, conscience and strength: Emma Cardarelli defines culinary leadership
Following in a lineage that extends from Normand Laprise to Martin Picard, Diane Solomon, David McMillan and Fred Morin, Emma Cardarelli made a mark at Montreal’s celebrated Liverpool House before co-founding critical and popular favourite Nora Gray. With strength and determination, she brings rigour and an insistence on freshness and seasonal products to her work….
What puts the “Montreal” in Montreal restaurants: Chef Joe Mercuri speaks
Joe Mercuri is chef and co-owner at mercuri, a hotly-anticipated new restaurant in Old Montreal. He is Executive Chef at Houston Restaurants, and, with his wife, was the owner of Brontë, named “Best New Restaurant in Canada” by En Route magazine in 2004. In this Grilled interview, he talks about his career, and about what…
The Whys, What, and Where of Wine – wine expert Nick Hamilton speaks from the heart
Through his website, les conseillers du vin, and through private consultations and tastings with individuals and restaurants, Montreal-based wine expert and teacher Nick Hamilton shares his passion for wine and spirits of all kinds. For over 30 years, Nick has turned that passion into an ongoing exploration of a rapidly-changing world. In this podcast, he…
Creating “must see” TV in an age of disruption: an interview with Roy Bank
Roy Bank is a Los Angeles based producer who worked with Mark Burnett on unscripted TV mega hits . He currently heads his own company, Banca Studios, and created and produced popular favorites Are You Smarter than a 5th Grader?, Deal with It, Flea Market Flip and more. This wide-ranging audio podcast is the first…
Flyjin Café, Velvet Speakeasy,Soubois and more: Alexandre Brosseau on creating experiences that work
Alexandre Brosseau is a creative force to be reckoned with. The founder of Speakeasy, a successful marketing, events and branding agency, he has moved on to make a significant impact on Montreal’s storied restaurant and nightclub scene. From Les Enfants Terribles to Soubois and beyond, he has crafted experiences that locals and tourists love —…
From Air Canada’s En Route magazine to the 21st century novel: Arjun Basu speaks
Arjun Basu is the former Editor-in-Chief of En Route, and created the magazine’s celebrated “Best New Restaurants” annual listing. He is currently Content Director of Spafax, a “branded content” pioneer that creates and curates what you see, hear and read on 60 Airlines and counting around the world. Having grown up watching celebrated author Mordecai…
Frank & Oak’s Eric Alper – on Montreal, working hard, and the future of retail
Eric Alper became a Strategist at international marketing powerhouse Sid Lee when he was still a student at McGill University, at the tender age of 20. He was named one of Marketing Magazine’s Top 30 Under 30, working with leading brands all over the world. Ten years later, he has become the VP Marketing…
