Les Lauriers: A Celebration of Quebec’s Culinary Excellence

Quebec’s most anticipated culinary gala, Les Lauriers, returned this year with a refreshed format and renewed sense of community. Now in its 7th edition, the event held on May 26, 2025 brought together the province’s finest chefs, artisans, and food personalities to honour the innovation and resilience driving Quebec’s gastronomy.

Thanks to a new initiative co-developed with the City of Montreal, Les Lauriers also served as the launchpad for Mange-Tout, an upcoming gastronomy-focused event combining conferences and workshops at the SAT. While the date has yet to be announced, excitement is already brewing.

This year’s event was hosted by Normand Laprise of Toqué, a foundational figure in Quebec cuisine. In his opening remarks, he emphasized the importance of mutual recognition and support within the industry. By staying true to themselves and embracing the seasons and environment around them, Quebec’s culinary community has forged a distinct and evolving identity—one rooted in trust, creativity, and collaboration.

The gala itself featured a new talk show-style format. Rather than formal speeches, winners were invited on stage for conversations with the host following video presentations curated by a jury panel. Hosted by Perle Morency of Côté Est and energized in the second half by Antonin Mousso of Le Mousso, the evening was vibrant and heartfelt, with an intermission featuring sweet and savoury offerings from local exhibitors.

We've wrapped up the events of the night below.

Highlights by Category

• Culinary Culture Promotion of Quebec
  Allison Van Rassel, the journalist behind Salut les gourmands, received the award for her long-standing commitment to celebrating Quebec’s food scene. Beloved online, especially on TikTok, she has championed local culture for over 15 years.
• Gastronomic Event of the Year
  Montréal en lumière took home this award for the first time in its 26-year history. The winter festival has consistently blended gastronomy and public programming, becoming a major seasonal staple.
• Company or Initiative of the Year
  La Tablée au féminin was recognized for its empowering community of women in the culinary world. Its next event, focused on personal finance, is scheduled for June 9 in Quebec and will feature on-site experts.
• Gourmet Tourism
  Les Cocagnes in Frelighsburg, led by Stéphanie Hinton and Olivier Bourget, stood out for its human-scale agricultural model. Their work merges ecological farming with cohabitation and aims to reduce the pressures faced by new producers.
• Artisan of the Year
  Julien Drouin-Bouffard of Les thés du Nord in Abitibi was recognized for crafting boreal teas using local herbs and knowledge gleaned from Asia. His caffeine-free creations bring a unique terroir to Quebec’s tea culture.
• Best Service
  Mynessa Lapointe Ouellet of La Porte-Arrière in Rivière-du-Loup was celebrated for her warm, intimate approach to hospitality—like welcoming guests into her own home. The restaurant is Michelin-listed.
• Producer of the Year
  Chasse-Marée in Rimouski (Emmanuel Sandt-Duguay and Guillaume Werstink) earned this award for their work canning underrepresented marine treasures, such as bourgot. Their poetic approach celebrates the bounty of the St-Lawrence River.
• Winemaker of the Year
  Les Pervenches (Véronique Hupin and Michael Marler) in Farnham marked their 25th year with a second Lauriers win. Known for pioneering organic and digestible wines, they continue to push boundaries in Quebec viticulture.
• Brewer of the Year
  In the debut year of this category, Auval of Val-d’Espoir (Benoit Couillard) was honoured. For the past decade, Couillard has quietly crafted standout beers from Gaspésie’s rugged terroir.
• Mixologist or Bartender of the Year
  Sabrina Touzel of Foxy won for her artistic flair and palate. Her work turns every visit into an experience full of flavour and discovery.
• Sommelier of the Year
  Jonathan Strokowski Ross of Tanière3 impressed with his deep expertise and constant drive to evolve. The double-Michelin-starred sommelier brings sharp insight to every pairing.
• Public’s Laurier
  Dominique Rioux, trained butcher turned BBQ influencer, was honoured for her relatable and engaging social media presence, where she showcases her passion for meat and outdoor cooking.
• Canteen of the Year (New Category)
  Cantine côtière in St-Fabien, led by Colombe St-Pierre, was lauded for bringing gourmet sensibilities to a coastal canteen—celebrating local seafood in a relaxed, festive atmosphere.
• Pastry Chef of the Year
  Eric Champagne of Auberge Saint-Mathieu, a Michelin Green Star recipient, charmed the crowd with his joyous stage presence and passion for pastry.
• Revelation of the Year
  Jana Larose of Comptoir de l’Auberge (St-Mathieu-du-Parc) stood out for her emotional, grounded approach to cooking, where tenderness and action coexist in harmony.
• Chef of the Year
  The dynamic duo Alexandra Roy and Charles Provencher Proulx of Le Melba received the honour. After 14 years working side by side, their cuisine balances comfort and creativity, grounded in authenticity.
• Restaurant of the Year
  Le Clan, the latest venture from Stéphane Modat, earned top recognition. Modat, a former Chef of the Year winner (2019), emphasized teamwork, local sourcing, and heartfelt hospitality.

A Tribute to Legacy

The gala also paid homage to Daniel Pinard, the flamboyant TV personality and early proponent of farm-to-table values in the late ’90s. A touching tribute highlighted his legacy of making food joyful, accessible, and unpretentious.

As the lights dimmed and the final winners stepped off stage, one sentiment remained clear: Quebec’s culinary identity is thriving—bold, collaborative, and grounded in a deep sense of place.

The text for this article was prepared by Ariane Gonzalez. All photography credit to Audrey-Eve Beauchamp.