Quebec Chef

I have discovered a cooking show that features a chef from Quebec. Quebec City and the province are two of my favourite places to visit. I do not need more food right now as the season of overeating is just coming to a close but I was intrigued with how this fellow uses local Quebec products and after spending a bit of time in a Montreal market over Thanksgiving I was hooked. I am not a cooking show television watcher as a rule which is why I didn't know this guy existed but for those of you looking for something different with a French Canadian flair I would recommend this show.

Ricardo Larrivée

Ricardo Larrivée -- or simply Ricardo to his fans -- is Canada's most successful bilingual celebrity chef. Over the past twelve years, Ricardo has become a household name in Quebec. Ricardo's easy-going personality, humour, and charisma has led him to be called 'Quebec's answer to Jamie Oliver.'

I am going a bit overboard here with his information but it is such a surprise that this chef has been so prolific and I have never heard of him??!!!

Read more at http://www.foodnetwork.ca/shows/ricardo-and-friends/#wFJOosWDmgQCXHGz.99

During each episode Larrivée travels throughout Quebec and showcases different cuisine and products of the province such as beer, cheese, fresh herbs, and much more. Larrivée has even showcased cuisine and products from other parts of Canada. The featured food or beverage item is usually added to a dish during the show.

Television 

On Radio Canada for the past 13 years, with over 1,600 programs under his belt, Ricardo holds the record as the longest serving host of a daily cooking show in Canada. Broadcast on Food Network Canada and Global, Ricardo and Friends has also been successful internationally. The show is broadcast in more than 50 countries and allows people of many other languages and cultures to enjoy cooking his recipes.

Print

Ricardo magazine is a resounding success in Quebec. User-friendly recipes, beautiful photography and a variety of in-depth articles make it a sure-buy for over 740,000 readers. In September Ricardo will take the entire country by storm when he launches an English edition of the magazine.

Ricardo’s books, published in both French and English, make the best-seller list every time. His latest, Ricardo Slow Cooker /iFavourites has made its way into more than 150,000 kitchens across Canada.

Web

Ricardocuisine.com is a bilingual foodie destination with more than 4,000 triple-tested recipes and hundreds of how-to videos. The website attracts 1.6 million visitors monthly, generating over 14 million page views. Hundreds of thousands of fans subscribe to Ricardo newsletters. Plus, he is a social media sensation, engaging with over 175,000 fans and followers.

Productions 350°

Ricardo’s own TV production company specializes in lifestyle and cooking shows. Always on trend, Productions 350° develops TV concepts covering a variety of topics such as desserts, sushi, mixology and food chemistry.

Kitchenware and Cookware

In 2011 Ricardo developed a line of kitchen tools that is sold in over 600 stores from coast to coast. High-quality knives, pots and pans, as well as wine glasses, are all part of 150 items tested and chosen by Ricardo and his team. You can discover the entire collection at ricardocuisine.com/store.

Wine

Food and wine being the perfect pair, Ricardo went on to fulfill another dream: Larrivée Vins du Monde. Launched in Quebec with two South African wines, this new label reflects Ricardo’s personality and taste.

Causes Embraced

The welfare of the young is a cause Ricardo heartily embraces. He is spokesperson for the organization La Tablée des Chefs, which advocates self-sufficiency for underprivileged children by teaching them how to cook. His commitment and involvement with the young was rewarded with the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal. Ricardo also passionately embraces the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation and its many fundraising activities across Canada.

CLEMENTINE-FLAVOURED VODKA

INGREDIENTS

• 
  1/2 cup (125 ml) freshly squeezed clementine juice (about 4 clementines) 
• 
  1/3 cup (75 ml) sugar 
• 
  1/4 cup (60 ml) lemon juice 
• 
  3 cups (750 ml) vodka 
• 
  2 clementines, sliced 
• 
  1 lemon, sliced 

PREPARATION

1. Place the clementine juice, sugar and lemon juice in a saucepan and bring to a boil. Stir until the sugar dissolves. Pour into a large glass jar (about 1.5 litres/6 cups). Let cool.
2. Add the vodka and citrus slices. Seal the jar and set aside at room temperature for about 2 weeks.
3. Line a strainer with cheesecloth and strain the vodka. Once strained, transfer to a bottle and store in the refrigerator; do not freeze. Transfer to an attractive bottle before making a gift of the flavoured vodka.

You'll need to set aside most of a day to view all that he has done as well as his recipe collection.