DOMINIC TREMBLAY / CHEF AND OWNER

Before delighting Quebec gourmets' taste buds, chef Dominic Tremblay learned his trade in various establishments in the Eastern Townships. He is a graduate of the Institut d‘hôtellerie de Sherbrooke in institutional cuisine.

Dominic began his formal training by working with chef Roland Ménard of Manoir Hovey in North-Hatley. He then moved on to Auberge Les Sources in the Charlevoix region, where he met Lise Gagnon and René Simard, wonderful people who showed him the all important value of conviviality. His meeting of life partner Maryse Carrier was, however, the key element in his career development. They shared the same goal: to open a prestigious restaurant in the Estrie region.

The turning point in the professional life of our young chef was the opportunity to work under chef Philippe Robitaille and chef Benoit Dussault at Auberge La Camarine, in Ste-Anne-de-Beaupré. In their kitchen, his mind was opened to beauty and refinement, and fortunately, it is also in these glorious surroundings that he furthered his knowledge in the wine world. His stay at La Camarine was instrumental in making a dream come true: to travel to Europe and learn from a world-toque master chef. His choice was the Hôtel de La Gare in Switzerland, where genuine European restaurant star George Wenger broadened his horizons and infused him with a passion for his trade. Back from Switzerland, the determined 23 year old chef launched Café Massiwippi !