Before Prince William and his lovely bride, now the Princess Kate, left eastern Canada for the stunning beauty of the Pacific Northwest, they visited Quebec’s prestigious culinary school - the ITHQ or Institut de Tourisme et d’Hotellerie to take a cooking class featuring some of Canada’s best ingredients and finest young chefs-in-training.
The Institut’s esteemed instructors, Chefs Pasquale Vari and Jean-Louis Themis, and 24 of their talented students worked together for many weeks to also prepare a menu customized to accommodate the lifestyle of a unique celebrity couple, just started married life together, without any servants.
Working side by side with this skilled staff, the Prince and Princess helped create this delightful menu crafted with a wealth of wonderful “Quebecois” ingredients:
Canapes
- Foie Gras on Brioche with Apple Cider Jelly
- Eastern Townships Goat Cheese with Baby Cucumbers and Elderberry Jam
- Brome Lake Duck Confit
- Mini Bagels with Cream Cheese and Smoked Atlantic Salmon
Entrée
- Herb-Crusted Loin of Charlevoix Lamb with Cranberries and Seasonal Vegetables from Jean Talon Market
- A Couple Requested Escoffier-Inspired Souffle Featuring Isles de la Madeleine Lobster
Dessert
- Iced Cheesecake Filled with a Maple Caramel Topped with Meringue, Served with Granite of Fresh Regional Starberries and Blueberries
Wines and Beverages
Delightful, no? Wish you could have joined in the tasting?
Well, have no fear – you can, if when visiting Quebec, you call the Institut de Tourisme et d’Hotellerie (514-282-5161) and request luncheon or dinner reservations at the Center’s demonstration restaurant.
The cost is more than reasonable, $55-$90 with wine pairings, depending on the seating time chosen.
Any chef would agree that’s more than fair and you will, of course, also be supporting one of North America’s great culinary schools – all with an amazing glass of great Canadian wine in your hand. Bon Appetit!
Your Culinary World copyright Ana Kinkaid/Peter Schlagel 2011