2017 Pied de cochon sugar shack.

The Gluttony Seasons of Chef Martin Picard

By on November 21, 2017

There is the love of food, and then there is A LOVE FOR FOOD! There aren’t many things in life for which I would wake up at midnight, but for outstanding food, I will always make the exception!

Just like Cinderella at the stroke of midnight, I placed my reservation at the highly coveted Pied de Cochon Sugar Shack, made famous by the gourmandizing chef himself, Chef Martin Picard.

For years now, hardcore food lovers have been setting their alarm clocks to make online reservations for either of Chef Picard’s glutton fests: the Maple Syrup Season or the Harvest Season.

These two food lovers events are something else. The best way I can describe it is to imagine yourself in the Renaissance period when food was so abundant that even the most voracious foodie would have been challenged. The dishes are exaggerated and very imaginative…from gravy boats that resemble small kegs just oozing wonderfulness to generously overstuffed pastries…the sheer volume of food is beyond all comprehension.

As you’re speaking to yourself with every passing oh-so-tantalizing dish, that it MUST be the last one, out comes another. Your tongue is introduced to an explosion of flavours as each ingredient seems to surpass one another. It is literally a feast for all senses!

And these are just a few of the reasons why food lovers try to make their reservations three months in advance. I use the word TRY because attaining a seat at this bucket list food utopia has become a food lottery of sorts. It is highly recommended that you have a strategy in place if you wish to taste such exhilaration.

In the heat of the kitchen during Pied De Cochon Maple Syrup Season.

Gluttony Strategy

In order to increase your odds of attaining a reservation at this highly coveted food emporium, let me share a few tips with you that I have learned.

  • Have several people go online at the same time when Pied De Cochon (PDC) opens their website (www.cabane.aupieddecochon.ca) for reservations. I have been informed that this year, they will be accepting reservations at 10 am on December 1, 2017 (normally it’s at midnight, but they are trying to accommodate everyone) for their March 2018 Maple Syrup Season.
  • Once you have submitted your reservation request, it will take a couple of months before hearing back from the restaurant of your placement – be patient.
  • If you and your friends are successful in being contacted to make a reservation (at this point, no set date has been granted, it is solely a time frame you are given) – make sure everyone diligently looks at their emails as PDC has in the past given a 24hr-48hr window to reply to their emails before they proceed to the next reservation request in queue.
  • After being notified of your reservation, be sure to have the number of people that will be accompanying you. This is very important as the shack is designed to be very communal. You will be sitting with strangers at long picnic-like tables. If you are just two of you, you can request to sit at the bar if you wish. Like most places, it is always easier to reduce the number of people in your party as opposed to increasing it.
  • Once you have your glorious food date set, give yourself time to enjoy the drive down to Mirabel, Quebec (when I went I was white-knuckling it during a freak snowstorm….but it was so worth it!).
  • Don’t worry about not being able to eat all the food – no one can finish all the courses and that’s why PDC happily supplies everyone with takeaway packages (feel free to eat more during your car ride home).
  • And the most important tip…..WEAR SUPER COMFORTABLE CLOTHING for all that gluttonous yumminess to set in!

On both occasions that I had the opportunity of tasting le PDC dishes, I found the food insanely flavourful and very artistic in regards to their presentation. It’s one thing to be creative, but to have jaw-dropping flavours and textures join in is absolutely mind-blowing!

Pied De Cochon Maple Syrup Season (left to right) PDC signature maple syrup used in many dishes; poultry ballotines stuffed with pork and cabbage with a madère maple sauce; maple boeuf bourguignon with pearl onions and mushrooms; Cheung Fun with lobster, pork, shrimp and foie gras served in a ponzu sauce and maple bisque; ramen soup with Yakitori foie gras marinated in maple syrup, quail egg in a chicken and pork broth served with shitake mushrooms and cilantro; salmon tartar served in an almond milk dome; maple chocolate branch filled with a maple and praline mousse; maple cake and maple infused rice with salmon roe and daikon.

During the Maple Syrup event, the menu was very much Japanese influenced as I had learned that Chef Martin Picard had recently gone to Japan to celebrate his birthday. With each decadently rich dish, one could easily see and taste the Japenese inspiration behind it. Much was the same for the Harvest Season event; except we had the pleasure of going west to Italy. Every mouthful was paying homage to the pasta motherland. Mangia! Mangia!

Pied De Cochon Harvest Season (left to right) Pied De Cochon very own cheesies called parmesan fondue; Elena’s Timpano lasagna with ziti; gnocci served 5 ways; eggplants a la parmigiana; homemade burrata cheese with seasonal fruits and herbs; beef tournedos brochettes wrappped in bacon roasted on the BBQ served with Farotto (spelt risotto), cabbage and foie gras beignets; roasted seasonal vegetables; strawberry tart with strawberry pastry cream, pink pepper panna cotta and balsamic meringue and a frozen cake with layers of black currant ice cream, olive oil ice cream, morello cherries sorbet and shortbread.

From ramen soup with Yakitori foie gras to Italy’s eggplant a la parmigiana guests indulged, indulged and indulged some more.

Looking forward to PDC’s upcoming season and seeing where Chef Picard’s imagination and inspiration takes him. The PDC Maple and Harvest Seasons are for those that enjoy creativity for all senses as Chef Picard takes us on a culinary tapestry of flavours!

My love of food has no bounds!

 

 

The perfect marriage - garlic escargots and @moetchandon Ice Imperial Champagne 🍾 🥂😍😍

If you haven't had the pleasure of tasting this incredibly refreshing Champagne, then I'd suggest you do it and do it now!! You'll thank me for it😉😋

What is unique about this Champagne is the fact that it was created to be served over ice, hence its name - Ice Imperial. It is the perfect accompaniment to any dish or simply alone...sheer perfection!!

Here's to more 'occasions' or 'simply because' 😉

Cheers🥂

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"Cook with love always, and people will feel it" - Chef @antonyannick70

It was a pleasure and honour to witness Chef Yannick Anton from @lecordonbleuottawa receive the Chevalier de L'Ordre du Mérite Agricole. 

This award, bestowed by the French Ministry of Agriculture, recognizes his contribution to promoting French culture in Ottawa and across Canada through his work as a chef and culinary instructor. 
🇨🇵 🇨🇦🧑‍🍳

Read about his extraordinary career in my article published in the Fall issue of @luxeottawamagazine 

A lifelong passion for his craft - Congratulations again, Chef!!🏅🤩

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The @brookstreetott hotel is a dreamy setting for couples embarking on their marital journey, especially with their all-in-one location. 🤩🤩

Discover their exclusive curated services in my recently published article featured in the Fall/Winter issue of the @ottawawedding magazine.

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Make your next stay a memorable one with the Brookstreet Hotel! 

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Those who know me know I'm weak for tasty popcorn and @fromfarmtotablecanada
 spoiled me with theirs!! 🍿 😋

Proudly Ontario-made and woman-owned, From Farm to Table Canada has debuted their limited-edition CNE Kettle Corn in collaboration with the Canadian National Exhibition @letsgototheex for the 2024 season.Their beautiful package illustrations captures the fun that we have, when at the CNE 🎢.

It's the perfect blend of sweet and salty - my favourite!! 😍

They are available in two sizes: Family Bag and Grab & Go. Sold online as well as in retail chains and many independent stores.

This must-have snack for the summer is available until Labour Day. 

Get yours today and enjoy!!🍿🍿
A couple of evenings ago, I had the pleasure and honour of being invited by my alma mater, @lecordonbleuottawa to witness Chef @antonyannick70 be awarded France's L'Ordre du mérite agricole, the highest civilian honour from the embassy @franceaucanada 😃

This distinction recognizes the contributions of Chef Yannick to promote French culture in Canada and Ottawa specifically - through his work as a chef and instructor at Le Cordon Bleu Institute in Ottawa. 

Special moments of the evening included Ambassador of France to Canada, Michel Miraillet sharing with guests the numerous accomplishments that Chef Yannick Anton has accomplished over the years. Simply remarkable!!👏👏
A very touching and inspiring moment came when Chef Yannick Anton gave praise and gratitude to his mentors, who helped him attain his dream in the culinary industry. He also reminded the graduating class of chefs to always have a vision and to never let it go.👨‍🍳👩🏼‍🍳😍

And it wouldn't be a celebration without some tasty treats that exude French flare! They even had chocolate graduation hats - very cute and apropo 🎓🎓

Bravo Chef!!😊
Muy Caliente!!🔥🔥🌞🌞

With the insanely hot weather, nothing is more refreshing than this tasty Brazilian lemonade with some @bacardi Gold
Rum for the win!!🤩😋

And let me tell you, a pitcher was made...as it's THAT delicious!!

At this rate, I will finally start to enjoy the summer heat...providing I have my 'special' lemonade!😉

Cheers!

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