A new agri-food event in Montréal - Quebec Local flavours in the spotlight during the first edition of Saveurs & Tentations

    MONTREAL, July 30 /CNW Telbec/ - In about ten days' time, from August 12
to 16, 2009, Montréal's first trade show dedicated to local foods and the
agri-food industry will open: Saveurs & Tentations. This event, sponsored by
La Presse, will be held at the Jacques-Cartier pier, in the heart of the Quays
of the Old Port. Far from a humdrum conventional food fair, Saveurs &
Tentations aims to enable members of the public to discover the many facets of
local food products and the Québec agri-food industry by offering them direct
contact with producers who have unique expertise and who care intensely about
the quality of their products. Admission to the site is free.
    At this first edition, over 80 exhibitors are expected under numerous
tents, providing a unique opportunity to discover and taste the specialty
products of Québec: fine cheeses, meats, poultry, game, alcoholic beverages
(wine, beer, cider, liqueur), processed vegetables and fruits, sweet treats,
and more! The pleasures of the table are also the focus of attention, as many
exhibitors are presenting their tasting tours or their latest essential
inventions for cooking the perfect dish.

    Schedules and details may be found at
    www.saveursettentations.com

    A diverse and accessible program

    The mission of Saveurs & Tentations is to offer tastings, stir, grill,
marinate and simmer... directly on site by means of a program of activities
catering to all ages and all interests!

    - Twenty-odd COOKING CLASSES, presented in collaboration with La Tablée
      des chefs, will be given by experienced chefs: the art of layered
      verrines, small simmered dishes, the art of bringing out the flavours
      of Quebec cheeses, etc. Each participant will receive an S&T apron.
      Register in advance or on site (514) 277-3477 #21; the cost
      is $50 per person (tax included).
    - Culinary DEMONSTRATIONS will be conducted before an audience by
      inspiring chefs, in particular Bob Le Chef (chef and author), Jérôme
      Ferrer (author and chef of the Europea restaurant), Yan Sarrazin and
      Alexandre Pernetta (La cuisine de Lili Margot), etc. A special team of
      students from the professional cooking program at Collège LaSalle will
      also be on hand to reveal the tricks of the trade.
    - Nearly thirty PRESENTATIONS will be given by people with a passion for
      food and by players in the agri-food sector on topics that are
      important to today's consumers. The presence of members of Slow Food
      Montréal will not go unnoticed!
    - ESPACE BBQ, presented by Pomme de terre du Québec, offers short,
      30-minute workshops open to all comers. You can buy a piece of meat or
      fish right on the spot, and a chef will give you advice so that you can
      become a master of BBQ cooking.
    - Visitors can take a break at the TERRASSE TAIGA to taste Québec's
      newest beer, or at the BISTRO DU TERROIR to taste a local food
      specialty or alcoholic beverage.

    Special activities

    A MECHOUI ILLUMINATED BY FIREWORKS! 150 people will be lucky enough to
enjoy a preferred spot and an incomparable view of the final event of the
Loto-Québec International Fireworks Competition honouring the 25th anniversary
of the Cirque du Soleil. On Saturday, August 15, starting at 6:30 p.m., the
MECHOUI DU TERROIR will provide a cocktail and convivial supper at the
Jacques-Cartier pier. $50 per person (including tax, service and cocktail). By
reservation only, space is limited: (514) 277-3477 #21.

    FAVOURITE COOKBOOK STORE: The Editions La Presse will be transforming
their booth into a true bookstore for gourmets! Besides finding inspiring
publications from all sorts of places, you will have a chance, throughout the
event, to meet some of your favourite cookbook writers, specifically Soeur
Angèle, Anne L. Desjardins, Marie-Claude Lortie and Guylaine Guèvremont, Bob
le chef, Christina Blais, and Jérôme Ferrer.

    CONTE L'HERBE A DINDE, presented by the UPA, will charm visitors. Once
upon a time, a certain Jean-Baptiste watched his homeland shrink from day to
day as developers encroached upon it... building a sawmill, a tannery, a
forge, etc.

    Opening hours

          Wednesday to Friday, August 12 to 14       11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
          Saturday, August 15                        11:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
          Sunday, August 16                          11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

    Our sponsor and proud partners

    Saveurs & Tentations is sponsored by La Presse in partnership with the
Ministère de l'Agriculture, des Pêcheries et de l'Alimentation du Québec
(MAPAQ) (Québec Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food), Pomme de terre
du Québec, the Union des producteurs agricoles (UPA) and Taiga beer. The event
is also made possible through the collaboration of Collège LaSalle, La Tablée
des chefs and Slow Food Montréal. The media partners who are supporting this
event are Cyberpresse, Le Must Alimentaire, Bières et Plaisirs magazine and
VINO.TV.

    Saveurs & Tentations is organized by Groupe Espaces.

For further information: Martine Meilleur, Martine Meilleur
Communications, (450) 818-4273; Anne-Marie Braconnier, Communications
Director, Groupe Espaces, (514) 237-0817; www.saveursettentations.com