It was an ordinary Monday evening at Le Violon, a cozy upscale eatery situated in Le Plateau in Montreal, until a previous prime minister and a popular singer casually entered the premises.
Danny Smiles, a partner and head chef at the restaurant, shared that Justin Trudeau and Katy Perry’s unexpected July dinner date, which garnered global attention, took him by surprise just like everyone else.
Reflecting on the event in an interview with CBC Radio’s Information Morning Nova Scotia, Smiles noted the palpable buzz in the room with patrons fixated on the notable guests.
As a former contender on Top Chef Canada and a co-owner of one of the most acclaimed dining establishments in the nation, Smiles expressed concerns that despite the celebrities being gracious, their visit might overshadow the restaurant’s overall image.
“It became a phenomenon,” he remarked. “I hope we’re not solely remembered as the place where Justin and Katy dined.”
Looking ahead to his upcoming visit to Wolfville, N.S., Smiles anticipated that the focus would shift to his culinary expertise and that of other chefs from Montreal at the 15th annual Devour food and film festival.
“It’s great to showcase Montreal,” he stated. “Given our proximity and strong ties with the Maritimes, we frequently source seafood from Nova Scotia.”
Having participated in the festival in 2017, Smiles eagerly anticipated his return for another round, praising Wolfville as a picturesque and welcoming community.
During the festival’s Montreal Night Market, he will be showcasing his culinary skills, leading a workshop, and collaborating with four other prominent Montreal chefs for the festival’s grand “degustation” dinner on Friday. The event will feature a tasting menu with wine pairings alongside screenings of five food-themed short films.
“We’ll be collaborating on the dishes,” he added. “It’s going to be quite an experience.”
The festival is scheduled to run from October 20 to 26.
