This text is part of the special Plaisirs booklet
The hosts who offer hospitality during the Holidays welcome, with the doors wide open, their guests so that they can live a memorable evening. Food, cocktails, decoration, music, atmosphere… Benjamin Franklin said: “The fool makes feasts, the wise man eats them. »Since madmen have mastered the art of hospitality, here are some suggestions on how to be wise to the task.
Laucolo Calendar
Illustrator Laurence Deschamps-Léger, alias Laucolo, is known for her calendars, posters and greeting cards featuring local and seasonal fruits and vegetables. Indeed, the food system is his main source of inspiration. Not only will his creations please food enthusiasts, but they will also remind them of how colorful and diverse the harvests here are all year round.
From $ 30
SAQ workshops by ITHQ
Oenology enthusiasts, neophytes or initiates, will undoubtedly like to perfect their knowledge. The offer of SAQ workshops by ITHQ is varied and well suited to individual preferences. For example, there is the one entitled Wines 101. In an hour and a half, you can learn the basics of wine-growing vocabulary and the art of tasting wines. There are also full 3-hour courses devoted to various types of alcohol: bubbles, French wines, scotches and whiskeys. As for the more gourmet, the Wine and Food Pairing workshops will delight them.
From $ 49
Table linen from Maison Tess
The Montreal company Maison Tess designs sets of table and bed linen, Standard 100 certified, that is to say that they do not contain substances harmful to human health. In addition, it pays particular attention to product packaging: everything is recyclable, partly compostable and no plastic is used.
From $ 25
Subscription to a Quebec magazine
The quality of Quebec magazines is impressive. The magazine Caribou, for example, is interested in sustainable Quebec culinary culture. Those who are faithful to the Plaisirs notebook are well aware of its content, which is published here every week. For its part, the magazine Dinette pays particular attention to the visual invoice, both for the photos and for the illustrations. Long stories, like short essays, have a dreamy and poetic touch. The magazine Beside, meanwhile, presents stories and portraits reminding us of the importance of nature in our lives. Whether through traditional cultures, culinary or otherwise, or artisans who work body and soul to preserve this precious knowledge.
From $ 30
Yeti insulated containers
Lovers of the outdoors and good food even when camping will adopt the Yeti insulating cups and water bottles. They are robust and keep liquids hot or cold for a long time. Long time. The company even offers insulated cans to keep beer cool and wine goblets with lids to keep it from heating up too quickly or spilling it on a late-day walk down a rugged trail.
From $ 25
Online mushroom training
For forest picking enthusiasts, Mushroom Training’s online courses are dynamic and accessible to all. The goal is simple: to help beginners learn about mycology by democratizing the picking of wild mushrooms in Quebec. Offered at fixed dates and times by qualified trainers, they are only presented during the cold season, until the end of March, to allow participants to deepen their knowledge before going into the field. Three training courses are offered: the base, the identification of fungi as well as edibles and their look-alikes.
$ 50
Flonette storage bags
The eco-entrepreneur and zero waste expert Florence-Léa Siry has launched her Flonette product line. In addition to household cleaners, like bar soap made from coffee grounds or spent grain – leftover from brewing beer – she has also designed a nice collection of storage bags. They are made from recycled plastic bottles and they are machine washable.
From $ 15
Guided culinary tour
Guided tours are always a great way to discover a city, even your own. Montreal-based company Guidatour also offers various gourmet walking tours: culinary tour of Old Montreal, Guidapéro in the Mile End, Le Plateau-Mont-Royal, Old Montreal and downtown, in addition to brewing tours in some parts of the city. Tours can be done in small public or private groups.
From $ 43