August 2008

Cactus Club Cafe's Chef Rob Feenie Joins World Renowned Culinary Counterparts for the Quebec Gourmande

As part of an internationally recognized lineup, Chef Rob Feenie will be creating a 7 course feast at the inaugural Québec Gourmande festivities. The event recognizes the culinary heritage of Quebec City as part of Quebec's 400th Anniversary celebrations and features four of the most globally acclaimed chefs teaming up with Quebec City's top chefs. Each team will prepare a gourmet meal in established local restaurants, and will also meet with young, upcoming chefs for mentorship.

On August 7th, Chef Feenie, accompanied by Red-Seal certified Cactus Club chefs James Breuer and Rod Klockow, will join forces with Jean-Luc and Frédéric Boulay of Le Saint-Amour, in collaboration with Hôtel 71. The menu includes an amuse bouche of chilled Peaches and Cream corn and coconut soup; Qualicum Bay Scallop tartar with a caramelized onion foam, topped with shaved parmesan, lemon and celery and vanilla-scented trout roe; Virginia's chicken boudin blanc with veal cheek and orzo ragout and New Guinea pepper and red wine jus; Soy ginger and sake-marinated sablefish with a braised pork belly, finished with chantrelles and a summer truffle vinaigrette; Virginia's BBQ roasted duck with duck confit ravioli and citrus and smoked paprika sauce; Bourbon-smoked Alberta prime tenderloin with chervil root puree and a summer truffle jus; and finally Mary Grace aged cows milk from Saltspring Island with a roasted beet salad and baby Mache.

Chef Feenie will be followed by Thomas Keller (The French Laundry, Napa Valley and his Per Se, New-York), who will team up with chef François Blais of Panache at Auberge St-Antoine on August 30, and on September 7 Normand Laprise and his Toqué! team will pair up with Yvan Lebrun at l'Initiale in collaboration with Hôtel 71. Chef Feenie was preceded on July 19 by Jean-Georges Vongeritchen (Jean-Georges, NYC), who joined Chef Jean Soulard at the Fairmont Le Château Frontenac.

For additional information about the inaugural edition of Québec Gourmande or to make reservations, please visit www.quebecgourmande.com