Top Chef Canada is returning to Food Network Canada for an incredible 11th season on Monday, October 14 (10 pm) and there are three awesome Montreal chefs competing this season: Ruby Gatt from Larry’s Restaurant on St. Laurent Blvd., Rémi Lemieux, now at the helm of Memo in the Old Port and Chanthy Yen, one of Time Out Market Montréal’s signature chefs. Gatt is originally from Ontario, Lemieux from Shawingan and Yen from Vancouver. Known for his creative fusion of Cambodian and Canadian cuisine, Yen brings a fresh and deeply personal approach to each dish, combining his Cambodian heritage with the vibrant flavours of Canadian cuisine. Gatt, 32, says she knew from a young age that she only ever wanted to be a chef. She has spent the last 17 years of her life learning, experimenting, and honing her craft. Lemieux, 30, found his love for cooking when he was expelled from school as a teenager and was assigned to work in a Montreal restaurant kitchen. He quickly built an impressive resume, working at two of the most famous three-Michelin-Star restaurants: Massimo Bottura’s Osteria Francescana in Italy and Eric Ripert’s Le Bernardin in New York City before landing at Nomi. Watch my interview with Gatt and Lemieux here on our Suburban On Air Channel.
A CULINARY CREATION: Les Survenants is an NPO expert in gourmet events and a pioneer in street food for over 10 years. They organize some of the most important cultural and gourmet events on the Montreal scene, including Les Premiers Vendredis and Le Marché Salada. They take part in major projects such as Les Lauriers de la Gastronomie Québécoise, Casse-Croûte des Jardins Gamelins, Saveurs Botaniques and Rendez-vous Gourmands at Parc Jean Drapeau. Last July, they embarked on a major new project, creating their new home: Les Eaux Douces. South of Rue de la Commune, located at Pavillon Jacques Cartier in the Old Port of Montreal, this hub for gastronomy and local culture has launched its annual program! It kicked off its activities this month with the brand-new Marché Streat and its first Latino BBQ theme!
“Les Survenants’ vision of creating social ties while bringing residents together around diverse and inclusive living spaces is absolutely embodied in this new venue, which promotes together-ness, conviviality, and the discovery of local culinary traditions and diverse cultural communities,” said Gaëlle Cerf, President of Les Survenants.
THE IMAGINARIUM: A new creative space has opened its doors in Montreal! The Musée Imaginarium, an entertainment space and imaginary world of self-portraiture, invites families, city visitors, content creators, photographers and bloggers on an adventure through more than 16 artistic universes, designed for fun experiences and unforgettable photo and video shoots. It is located at 290 de la Montagne, in the historic facility nicknamed “Montreal’s Flat Iron Building”. This 4,500-square-foot space is now dedicated to creativity and wonder. I dropped by recently and it was a lot of fun.
The Musée Imaginarium is the vision of Magda Slezak, founder of Magenta Photo and Le Petit Dep, who wanted to create a collection of eclectic, immersive settings. Each room is designed to inspire and amaze, allowing visitors to tell unique stories through captivating photographs. In this artistic world, each universe is a canvas where you can lose yourself, moving from a tropical forest to an art deco universe, stopping off in downtown Montreal or diving into a poutine pool. Imaginary settings encourage young and old alike to immerse themselves in each scene and play inspiring roles. Slezak commissioned artist and visual designer Léa Valérie Letourneau, whose expertise in film, interior design and photography helped create distinct experiences in each universe. Passionate about collaborating with other creators, Léa Valérie gathered her book of contacts to bring the Musée Imaginarium experience to a level where industry professionals recognize artistic merit and attention to detail. She invited none other than her colleague Élisabeth Williams, visual designer emeritus, to collaborate on the conception and development of this extraordinary project. For the launch campaign, she invited the photographic duo Les Garçons to explore and experiment with these environments. Among the collaborators are the colorful murals by artists and muralists Dan Buller and Edward Maloney, which distinguish the historic building, as well as the stairwell and the mural behind the reception desk. The work of comic-book-influenced illustrator Jason Wasserman features us in a visual that illustrates a love letter to his city’s architecture and unique neighborhoods. Finally, artist and calligrapher Romain Boz stages a large-format tribute to Quebecois expressions in one of the universes.
The Musée Imaginarium also offers an unusual and fun passport photo service, inviting visitors to sit inside a vintage fridge in a kitchen inspired by the TV show “La Petite Vie.”
Even the toilets become backdrops for photo shoots, with universes of pink, green and a star disco urinal!The space can also be rented for private events and/or combined with a rental at Loft LPD, located on the top floor of the same building. An ideal combination for your next Christmas party or corporate event for up to 200 people.A unique and original venue where imagination knows no bounds, allowing you to create much more than photos, inspiring creativity and offering a fun experience.
Slezal’s career began in 2002 with the opening of the first Magenta Photo studio in the Rockland Shopping Center, which quickly became a resounding success. Today, Magenta Studio Photo has eight locations across Quebec and Ontario, offering professional photography and family portraiture services. In 2015, she expanded her entrepreneurial footprint by purchasing a small convenience store in Montreal’s Old Port, which she transformed into Le Petit Dep. This innovative concept marries a convenience store and a café, offering high-quality food products, artisanal products, and a third-wave café, all in a charming vintage ambiance. With its colorful facades and eclectic decor, Le Petit Dep has quickly become one of Montreal’s most photographed cafés on Instagram, offering a variety of products, from local pastries and ready-to-eat meals to fine groceries and Montreal souvenirs.
EXCEPTIONAL CONCERT: Ensemble Caprice, under the inspired direction of Matthias Maute, will inaugurate its 2024-2025 season with an exceptional concert devoted to the emblematic instrumental works of Johann Sebastian Bach. This musical rendez-vous will take place in Montreal on Fri. Oct. 11, at Maison symphonique, and on Sun. Oct. 13 at the Salle Raoul-Jobin in Quebec City. For this special event, Ensemble Caprice offers a deep dive into the Baroque universe through its interpretation of the Brandenburg Concertos Nos. 1, 3 and 4 (BWV 1046, 1048, 1049). These masterpieces are often recognized as the pinnacles of Baroque instrumental music, embodying the virtuosity and expressive richness of Bach. The program for this prestigious concert also includes Bach’s Overture No. 3 in D major (BWV 1068), whose famous “Air on the G string” has become one of the most beloved and recognizable movements in all classical music. In addition, audiences can revel in the haunting beauty of Albinoni’s Adagio in G minor and the gripping intensity of Shostakovich’s Preludes, offering a captivating contrast between Baroque elegance and twentieth-century modernism. This concert marks the start of a promising new season for Ensemble Caprice, their third presented entirely at the Maison symphonique. Awarded six Opus prizes and two JUNOs, Ensemble Caprice is a progressive force both in the Montreal music scene and internationally. They stand out for their creative, innovative programs and dynamic interpretations. Over the decades, they have become a fixture in the world of Baroque music, and are one of the few ensembles in Quebec to regularly present works on period instruments.
Info: https://www.ensemblecaprice.com/2024-2025
WHO DO I BELONG TO: Maison 4:3 and Midi La Nuit have announced the selection of Who Do I belong to in competition at the 53rd Festival du nouveau cinéma de Montréal (Oct. 9 to 20). The first feature film written and directed by Meryam Joobeur, Who Do I Belong To is produced by Annick Blanc and Maria Gracia Turgeon for Midi La Nuit, Nadim Cheikhrouha for Tanit Films (France), Sarra Ben Hassen for Instinct bleu (Tunisia) and Meryam Joobeur. The film stars Salha Nasraoui, Mohamed Hassine Grayaa, Malek Mechergui, Adam Bessa, Dea Liane, Rayen Mechergui and Chaker Mechergui. The storyline revolves around Aicha who lives in the isolated north of Tunisia with her husband and youngest son. The family lives in anguish after the departure of the eldest sons Mehdi and Amine to the violent embrace of war. When Mehdi unexpectedly returns home with a mysterious pregnant wife, a darkness emerges, threatening to consume the entire village. Aicha is caught between her maternal love and her search for the truth. An official co-production France, Canada, and Tunisia – in collaboration with Norway, Qatar, and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Who Do I Belong Too is distributed in Canada by Maison 4:3 and opens on November 1. Screenings will be on Fri. Oct. 11 (7 pm) at the Cinéma du Musée (French sub-titles) and Sat. Oct. 12 (8:15 p.m). at Cineplex Quartier Latin ( English sub-titles).
THE LONGING OF THE MALAGASY BUTTERFLY: Claudia Chan Tak, a multidisciplinary artist trained in visual arts and dance, and winner of an artist residency offered jointly by the Insectarium and the Conseil des arts de Montréal, will present the results of her creative project free of charge at the new Espace Transmission on Oct. 24, 25 and 26. In her choreographic project, The Longing of the Malagasy Butterfly, Claudia aims to explore her origins and understand the country of her ancestors (Madagascar) through the prism of insects, whose beauty she magnifies. The proposal combines installation, movement and video projection. The public will also get to discover the artist’s creative process through a video installation.
“I want to create an intimate world reminiscent of the emotion I felt when I saw the collections of naturalized insects on display in the Insectarium Dôme, while drawing my inspiration from the insects of Madagascar,” she said. “The movements in my choreography will be infused with the distinct characteristics of these creatures, personifying their bodies, their movements and even their personalities.”
In keeping with its mission to promote insects, the Insectarium supports artistic creations inspired by the rich and surprising world of insects. The public performance resulting from this residency is part of the Insectarium’s Celebrations of Entomophilia, a series of off-site events designed to promote the appreciation of insects, essential to the balance of nature. The Celebrations seek to inspire creators from different disciplines, who then pass on their findings, vision and enthusiasm to the public. Recent Celebrations have spawned creations in gastronomy, visual arts and electronic music. For its fifth Celebration in autumn 2024, the Insectarium presents a new work in dance.
Book your ticket on Eventbrite
MICROBREWERY OF THE MONTH:Time Out Market Montréal’s Microbrewery of the Month Program has returned. As part of its commitment to promoting and supporting local businesses, the Market is showcasing Quebec’s finest craft breweries every month. This initiative, which initially started this past April, reflects Time Out Market’s passion for collaborating with local talents and participating in the unique culture of the cities they inhabit. For October, they are excited to feature Montreal-based brewery 4 Origines. Here are their featured beers this month:
• Helles Ja!
• This Lager Helles comes from German malts and hops. It features notes of cereals, fresh baguette, and honey, and it leaves a crisp bitterness and hoppy taste.
• Ein Stein
• This German Amber Lager was brewed in collaboration with Le Dispensaire and features German malts. It has notes of roasted bread, cookies, and a little spicy kick that will leave you intrigued for more!
• Fraser
• This West Coast IPA features Idaho hops, Simcoe, and Cascade from Quebec and leaves notes of grapefruit, tangerine, and apricot, making it a classic IPA with a modern touch.
• Gose Down Easy
• This fruity gose, with guava, mango, and pineapple notes, will bring you back to summer days with its tropical notes and little hints of salt and acidity.
Have an item for my Entertainment Notebook? E-mail mcohen@thesuburban.com