Take your pick: adrenaline packed or slow and contemplative?
To celebrate its 5th anniversay, the Summer of Chefs will invite BALNEA’s clientele on a culinary journey, showcasing the flavors of the Eastern Townships.
Indeed, in addition to drawing inspiration for their dishes from the magnificent setting of the thermal reserve, these culinary wizards must include at least one ingredient from the Créateurs de saveurs Cantons-de-l’Est (roughfly translated The Creators of Flavor) one of the certified brands themed around the local terroir!
Each culinary creation will be listed on BALNEA’s menu during the following week, as well as in the chefs’ restaurants, all summer long.
Discover Balnea spa packages featured during the event.
Also, enter the contest and become eligible for a chance to win a gastronomic package at Hôtel Château-Bromont to participate at BALNEA'S Summer of Chefs.
Bliss³ :
A wine and dessert pairing!
This new, over-the-top treat - a signature ‘trio’ - is being launched for the 5th edition, courtesy of Christian Faure who will be part of the festivities. Each week, the famous pastry chef will offer a new dessert to accompany the featured dish and a wine proposed by the sommelier.
A friendly competition in an enchanting setting
Once again, the distinguished invited chefs, who also run very popular restaurants, are sure to put on an impressive show! In order of appearance, they are : Alexandre Gosselin (Chez Victoire), Guillaume Cantin (Les 400 coups), Marc-Alexandre Mercier (Hôtel Herman), Carles Abellan (Tapas 24), Éric Gonzalez (Les Enfants Terribles), David Côté (Crudessence), Shinji Nagai (Shinji), Luc Vaillancourt (Antidote FoodLab) and Fisun Ercan (BarBounya), followed by a 10th chef!
Competition for the 10th chef : testing yourself against the best in the business
For the second consecutive year, BALNEA is offering a food lover the opportunity of testing himself (or herself) against 9 renowned chefs. This 10th chef will be a member of the public, chosen by the most number of votes for a video shot by the contestant and posted on YouTube. The winner will then be chosen by the jury after a ‘duel’ between the two finalists!
How to participate? Simply shoot a 2-3 minute video, which should include a brief introduction of the cook, an overview of the person’s culinary qualifications (amateur or professional), what inspires him or her and the preparation of the dish. Competitors then upload the video onto a designated BALNEA site. The wannabe chefs have until July 20 to participate and the general public will also be able to vote for its favorite candidate. (Until that date, the selected demo videos will be posted on the Summer of Chefs website.) The winning chef will present his or her FLAVOR OF BALNEA dish on Sunday, August 31, marking the end of a summer of refined gourmet delights! The lucky winner will be sponsored by none other than Hakim Chajar, Restaurant BALNEA’s chef and the winner of the Jury’s Favorite in the 2013 edition of the Summer of Chefs.
The grand finale - two prizes awarded by a jury of food connoisseurs!
As was the case last year, the jury is made up of well known Quebec lifestyle and gastronomy experts. They are Andrea Collins, a Virgin Radio host (formerly of Dinner Rush); Hubert Cormier, a nutritionist and doctoral candidate in nutrition, Thierry Daraize, a chef and food writer with Journal de Montréal; Alexandra Diaz, a broadcaster with Cuisine futée, parents pressés, a culture specialist and contributor to Clin d’œil Magazine; Sarah Musgrave, food writer and senior editor with Air Canada’s enRoute and Stéphanie Émond, founder and product manager of BALNEA. Throughout the summer, they will be faced with the difficult task of determing what dish - based on specific criteria - stands out above all the others.
Two prizes will be awarded at the end of the summer - the Grand Prix (a combination of the grades given by the jury, the number of dishes sold in the restaurant and the amount of votes garnered online) and the Jury Favorite, based on the highest rating earned by the chef who has best conformed to the predermined chart of specifications.
Hôtel Château-Bromont : Majestically set in one of the most beautiful valleys of the Eastern Townships, our outstanding hotel-spa is located at the base of Mount Bromont, where you will discover the charm of each season. See the package.
Enter the contest and become eligible for a chance to win a gastronomic package at Hôtel Château-Bromont to participate at BALNEA'S Summer of Chefs.
Manoir Hovey : Manoir Hovey is a 5 star hotel and member of the prestigious Relais & Châteaux hotel association. Tucked away on the shores of Lake Massawippi near North Hatley. See the package.
Le Pleasant Hôtel & Café : Le Pleasant Hotel & Cafe surprises and seduces with its intriguing, authentic decor and exclusive design. The sumptuous 20th century Victorian residence now houses a ten room boutique hotel and restaurant with modern cuisine. See the package.
