By The Food Tease 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.
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.
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!
"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!!🏅🤩
#travelblogger #foodblogger #travelwriter #foodwriter #chef #cheflife #chevalier #meriteagricole #prestigious #accolades #frenchculture #promoting #published #luxelife #tmac #tmacontario #ifwtwa1 #frenchchef
Oct 1
It`s been a busy couple of weeks, but I wanted to share the love on this `must visit` eatery.😍😋
It was a treat to discover and dine at @amusekanata! This charming restaurant delivers BIG on flavourful dishes. It`s perfect for sharing and discovering new ingredients. A true gem! 🔥🙌
Here is the list of the tasty dishes that my table enjoyed:
🧀 TORCHED BRIE
🐟 TUNA AND SCALLOP TARTARE
🥩 STEAK TARTARE
🥩 BISON CARPACCIO
🍄 MUSHROOMS ON TOAST
🧀 HALOUMI
🐑LAMB SHANK
Both the restaurant ambiance and hospitality were top-notch...A must try! 😋😍
#foodblogger #foodporn #foodphotography #newexperiences
#sharingplates #sharing #ottawarestaurants #supportlocalbusiness #newdiscovery #amuse #amusekitchen #musttry #wantmore #thefoodtease #thefoodteaseeats #tmac #tmactravel #ifwtwa1 #indulgence #livetoexplore #livetoeat
Sep 26
Vegas wouldn’t be complete without visiting Freemont Street and taking in breathtaking sunset views from @stratvegas Tower. 😍😍
Experiencing a ride to the top of the Tower, at 1,149 feet tall - the tallest freestanding observation tower in the United States for a 2nd time, did not disappoint!! 😱😍
Several years ago I experienced the thrill of the X-SCREAM roller coaster - it "teeter totters you over the edge of the Tower from 866 feet high, propelling riders head first 27 feet over the edge of the tower. After being shot over the edge, passengers are dangled weightlessly above the Las Vegas Strip before being pulled back and propelled again. " 😱😱🎢 It was a BLAST, but this time around, I was a viewer... perhaps on my next visit 😉
Seeing the Vegas views and watching the incredible visual display of the @spherevegas was incredible.
All must do`s when in Vegas!!
#traveldestination #travelblogger #vegas #travelwriter #travelphotography #thrillingrides #vegastrip #strat #sphere #vacation #thrill #awesome #funtimes #getaway #tmactravel #tmac #ifwtwa1 #thefoodteasetravel #freemontstreet #mustsee #mustdotravels
Sep 15
Indulgence of any kind is a good one in my book, and indulging in a carnivorous feast at the award-winning Bazaar Meat by José Andrés, Las Vegas was EPIC!!🤩🤩😋
The attention to detail from both the back and front of the house was beyond exceptional. It was a true celebration of meat! 🥩🥩
I was in a very addictive meat trance - I loved every dish.🦪🥩😋😍
For the outstanding carnivore feast, these are the dishes that I feasted on:
✳️ Caviar Cone: crème fraîche, classic Ossetra caviar. 🤩🤩
✳️ A5 "Philly Cheesesteak": airbread, cheddar, Wagyu beef. 🔥🔥😋😋
This dish was HEAVEN in your mouth, that a second order was needed.
✳️ Sloppy Joe: beef Bolognese, steamed bun, straw potatoes.
✳️ First time tasting Shigoku oysters from Samish Bay, Washington, and they didn`t disappoint. 🦪🦪
✳️ Bone-In Strip Loin, Washugyu/Angus Blend. 🥩😋
✳️ Chateaubriand, Tenderloin, Holstein: (Brandt Beef, CA) Périgordine sauce and straw potatoes.
✳️ Buttered Potato Purée: butter, butter, more butter, some potatoes.😱😍
So silky smooth, it should be illegal!!
It was a bucket list item of mine to eat at this award-winning restaurant by this outstanding chef and humanitarian. 😊😊
Chef @chefjoseandres is founder of @wckitchen World Central Kitchen - first in the frontlines providing fresh meals in response to humanitarian, climate, and community crises. A real inspiration 🙌
#foodblogger #foodphotography
#foodporn #travelblogger #carnivore #feastagram #feast #joseandres #vegas #lasvegas #bucketlist #indulgence #epicfood #awardwinning #humanitarian #thefoodtease #thefoodteaseeats ##ifwtwa1 #tmactravel #tmac #meat #meatlover #meatporn #caviar #wagyu
Sep 13
Hello Arizona, and your jaw-dropping natural wonders! 😍😍
I didn`t think I could make the long bus ride from Vegas to Arizona to see the beautiful Canyon "X" in 40° degree heat... but I made it. It was hot, BUT it was sooo worth it!!
Light peaking through the incredibly beautiful and surprisingly smooth Canyon X was just spectacular. It`s amazing what nature can create. Canyon X is a hidden treasure in the heart of the Navajo Nation.
The 2nd photo displays why the canyon is called Canyon "X" - the opening of the canyon with the sky in the backdrop naturally forms the "X" formation.
Overall, the canyon trip surpassed all of my expectations, and I`m happy that I had the opportunity to see the canyon up close and be in the moment, on the sacred land. 😍😍
A must-see!!
#travelblogger #foodblogger #nature #hiddentreasures #naturephotography #naturalphenomenon #canyon #canyonx #navajonation #mustsee #tourist #bucketlist #desert #hiking #hikingadventures #tmac #tmactravel #ifwtwa1 #thefoodtease
Sep 11
From Nevada ➡️ Utah ➡️ Arizona to visit and explore incredible natural sights, including the famous Horseshoe Bend.
It was an incredible day seeing this sight up close.😍😍
The stunning Horseshoe Bend in @visit_arizona also referred to as the "east rim of the Grand Canyon". A geologic masterpiece sculpted by the Colorado River. I must admit that I was nervous taking these photo, as there are no rails or gates to prevent any accidents...and it`s very slippery. 😱
It was the perfect day to explore and get away from the glitz and bright lights of Vegas...atleast for a brief time😉😂
#travelblogger #foodblogger #traveldestination #travelwriter #arizona #horseshoebend #sightseeing #naturalphotography #nature #naturephotography #getaway #tmactravel #tmac #ifwtwa1 #thefoodtease #playingtourist #coloradoriver
Sep 8
Hello Sin City, it`s been a while😈😉
A getaway at the stunning @resortsworldlv, specifically Crockfords Hotel, made for a great trip to disconnect, have fun, and discover new things!🍹🍸🎰
Nightlife on the strip is a sensory overload... but that`s part of the fun😉
Delicious mojitos by the Crockfords pool made the scorching 40°degree weather bearable.🥵🥵🍹🍹
The mind-blowing @spherevegas is a literal driving distraction - its graphics are simply amazing!!😱😱
Love seeing the Venetian gondolas in action.
Stay tuned for some tasty activities, including some beautiful desert sights! 😃
#travelblogger #foodblogger
#vegas #lasvegas #lasvegasstrip #longweekend #disconnect #recharge #vegasbaby #onthestrip #friendsvacation #sphere #crockfords #ifwtwa1 #tmac #tmactravel #thefoodtease
Sep 5
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.
● Premiere wedding venue 💍✅️
● 18-hole championship golf course ⛳️✅️
● Exceptional cuisine 🍽 ✅️
Make your next stay a memorable one with the Brookstreet Hotel!
#foodblogger #travelblogger #traveldestination #weddingvenue #ottawa #championshipgolfcourse #golfcourse #curated #awardwinning #getaway #ottawawedding #ottawaweddings #travelwriter #ottawaweddingmagazine #published #lovemyjob #ifwtwa1 #tmactravel #tmac #tmacontario
Aug 24
An evening out to @anabellaskitchenandlounge was exactly what I needed...friendly hospitality, tasty flavourful dishes, and the perfect ambiance to enjoy a beautiful outing. 😊😋
Amongst the appetizers, I chose their HIGHLY addictive zucchini crisps, which were the bomb!! This is one dish where you wish they had endless offerings!!
😍😍
Another tasty appetizer was their arancini - simply flavourful. And the piece de résistance was their refreshing grilled Halloumi Salad. It was watermelon sweet and Halloumi salty...Simply perfect! They nailed this salad with all the different flavours.
The perfect summer outing!😊😋
#foodblogger #travelblogger #foodphotography #foodporn #ottawa #ottawarestaurants #supportlocalbusiness #diningout #summervibes #summerouting #thefoodteasedrinks #thefoodteaseeats #ifwtwa1 #tmac #tmactravel
Aug 17
Summer means...
BBQ time ✅️
Gardening ✅️
Relaxing ✅️
🪻🌺🐝🥩😍😋
Summer love...BBQ season in full effect!! 😋😍 These marinated pork blade steaks were delicious!!🥩😋
Basil, Thai basil, tarragon, and parsley... my little garden is growing!
Green thumb in full effect!! 🌺🪻
Love my lavender, and so do the 🐝 🐝
#foodblogger #foodphotography #foodporn #travelblogger #summer #summervibes #bbq #bbqlovers #garden #herb #herbgarden #greenthumb #lavender #summerrelax #timewellspent #thefoodtease #thefoodteaseeats #ifwtwa1 #tmac #goodtimes
Jul 28
Yesterday afternoon, I had the privilege of attending the "buffets des chefs," a delicious gathering at the French Embassy @franceaucanada in partnership with the Disciples d’Escoffier Canada. @disciples_escoffier_canada 🇨🇵🇨🇦
This tasty celebration included Disciples d’Escoffiers, chefs from @lecordonbleuottawa and @maisonoddo 👨🍳👩🏼🍳
The culinary event also included @veroniquerivest renown sommelier and owner of @soifbaravin being awarded as Knight in The Order of Agricultural Merit
(Ordre du Mérite agricole) for her constant promotion of oenology and French wines and terroirs. It is an order of merit bestowed by the French Republic for outstanding contributions to agriculture and food/gastronomy. Bravo!! 🍷🍷👏 👏
Another special moment included the induction of Ambassador Michel Miraillet as a new Disciple. When a new Disciple is inducted, he then undertakes to respect the Escoffier Spirit by taking this oath: "I vow to pass, serve and honor the cuisine, its culture and its continuing evolution".🎖🎖
Guests were spoiled with an endless assortment of French appetizers and delectable sweets, all with whom were created by talented chefs who are driven by passion. 😍👩🏼🍳👨🍳
Bravo to you all!!👏👏
#foodblogger #travelblogger #foodphotography #foodporn #escoffier #disciplesescoffier #knighted #culinary #induction #frenchcuisine #frenchfood #culinaryevent #buffets #thefoodteaseeats #thefoodtease #celebration #ifwtwa1 #tmac
Jun 28
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!!🍿🍿
Jun 27
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!!😊
Jun 22
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!
#foodblogger #travelblogger #cocktails #cocktailporn #brazilianlemonade #braziliandrink #summerdrinks #bacardi #rum #summerheat #summerheatwave #lemonadeforadults #thefoodteasedrinks #ifwtwa1 #tmac #enjoylife #enjoythemoment
Jun 17
I had the pleasure this week to dine at @raphaelperuviancuisine AND what an experience!! 😋
Fresh exotic ingredients combined with warm hospitality made for a great evening out.🔥🔥
The Mahi Mahi`s flavours and interesting crunch texture by the chulpe (Peruvian dried corn kernels) was my favourite!!😍
The causa de pulpo 🐙 and the anticuchos 🥩 were also just as tasty.
And to wash it all down, I tried the Ica cocktail with its flaming sugar cube - strong but equally addictive 😉
Looking forward to tasting more of their dishes! 😋
#foodblogger #travelblogger
#foodphotography #foodporn #peruvian #peruvianfood #peruviancuisine #supportlocal #localrestaurant #mahimahi #peruviancorn #newexperiences #diningout #thefoodtease #thefoodteaseeats #ifwtwa1 #tmac
Jun 2
After a long day, a rich and tasty avocado, egg and bacon salad was the way to go!!🥑🥚🥓😍😋
And the pièce de résistance, triple-cream Brie with @artisinbakery baguette - the perfect match for such a meal.
At this rate, indulgence should be my nickname 😉
#foodblogger #foodporn #travelblogger #foodphotography #indulgence #longday #avocado #triplecream #baguette #frenchcuisine #enjoylife #luxelife #thefoodteaseeats #thefoodtease #ifwtwa1 #fwt #tmac
May 16
Always a student and always learning😃
It helps when an interesting destination is discussed and tasty dishes are shared!✈️🍽
Big thanks to @phillydiscover for informing me on the unique attractions that Philadelphia has to offer and to @playfoodwine for their exceptional hospitality!😋
A delicious fish cake followed by the braised beef cheek and ramp gnocchi hit all the right notes. However, I couldn`t help myself from indulging on their grilled Sourdough Bread With Caramelized Butter...Ridiculously ADDICTIVE 🔥 😋😍
Looking forward to discovering new regions! 😊
#travelblogger #foodblogger #discovering #discoverphiladelphia #philadelphia #philadelphialove #play #playrestaurant #supportlocal #travelmediaca #tmac #ifwtwa1 #thefoodteaseeats #thefoodteasedrinks
Apr 20
A recipe for tasty success - this is what A Taste for Life Ottawa is all about.
Last evening, generous restaurants like @faunaottawa opened their doors to patrons who dined and donated to support people living with HIV in our communities.
What more could you ask for?! Stellar dishes while supporting a great cause!!☺️
Fresh meaty Malpeque oysters 🦪🦪 and tasty tempura mushrooms 🍄 as appetizers to a mouth-watering meat fest. Say hello to a 80 day dry aged ribeye for 2 and the tastiest duck breast I`ve ever had!!😲😋😋😍
Because those dishes weren`t indulgent enough, a basque style cheesecake had to be tasted!!😂😋
A great cause and annual tradition that I`m proud to support and be a part of! ❤️
#foodblogger #travelblogger #foodporn #tasteforlife #greatcause #hivcharity #fauna #support #supportlocal #ottawarestaurants #supportlocal #donation #aidscharity #aidsawareness #hiv #thefoodteaseeats #ifwtwa1 #tmac #travelmediaca
Apr 19
Learning about new destinations and different cultures is always a blast! 😃
Several evenings ago, I had the pleasure of being invited to the Embassy of the Czech Republic😍
Learning about their culture, their unique travel experiences, and surprisingly, how inexpensive this country is, when compared to other European destinations, is always good💰💰
To start the Czech Tourism event, guests had the pleasure to hear from Czech Republic Ambassador of Canada, Martin Tlapa.
Tasty libations and Czech dishes were enjoyed by the guests. Even though I enjoy my 🍾 bubbles, I enjoyed tasting Czech`s prized beer 😉🍻
On the bucket list to discover✈️✈️
#foodblogger #travelblogger #tourism #czech #czechrepublic #czechbeer #czechembassy #passportready #destination #solotravel #solotraveler #luxurytravel #thefoodteasedrinks #bucketlist #ifwtwa1 #travelmediaca
Apr 7
Sophistication, opulent decor, and beautiful luxury desserts - this is @delyseesottawa 🍰🍮
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Read The Food Tease column in the Spring/Summer issue of @luxeottawamagazine on how Delysees`s Creative Director, Fred Naggar, successfully left awe-inspiring footprints in the fashion world to embark on a new adventure with his wife - the world of high-end desserts.😋🍰😍
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Sweets for the sweets... Enjoy!
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#foodblogger #foodporn #travelblogger #dessert #dessertsofinstagram #luxury #luxurydesserts #delysees #creativedirector #parisienne #frenchsweets #frenchdesserts #published #thefoodteaseeats #ifwtwa1 #travelmediaca #tmac
Apr 5
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