Stewing it up with maple: Winners of the 2009 Route de l'érable contest are
revealed

LONGUEUIL, QC, Jan. 26 /CNW Telbec/ - The Federation of Quebec Maple Syrup Producers along with famous Lyon chef Joseph Viola, a Meilleur Ouvrier de France and honorary president of the second annual contest for the Route de l'érable's 100 Créatifs de l'érable, are pleased to announce the winners of this year's competition to find the best maple-spiked stew in Quebec. Contestants were required to develop an original recipe for a slow-cooked dish that incorporated at least one 100% pure maple product.

And the winners are...

Thierry Ferré, owner of the Mouton Noir Restaurant Bistro located in Baie-Saint-Paul in Charlevoix, took first prize with his "Braised Organic Pork Shoulder En Croûte with Maple and Coriander." He won a week-long training stage with Mr. Viola in his restaurant in Lyon.

Patrick Fregni, owner of the restaurant Au 51, also in Baie-Saint-Paul in Charlevoix, won second place for his "Les Volières de Baie-Saint-Paul Guinea Fowl with Blueberries and Maple Syrup." He was awarded a $500 cheque.

Ugo Vincent Mariotti, from Montreal's Europea Group, walked away with third prize for his "Quebec Lamb Shank Braised in Cider Vinegar, Beer and Maple Syrup," winning $250.

The contest participants came up with brilliant ways to incorporate maple's unique flavour into their creations while adhering to the criteria the Federation had established. The four-person jury, which included two members of the Federation, a food critic and Joseph Viola, evaluated the entries based on the following main criteria: originality, presentation, taste, judicious use of products, food cost and overall balance.

These Créatifs de l'érable will add their new dishes to their establishments' menus for an entire year, for local and visiting gourmets to enjoy.

The Federation of Quebec Maple Syrup Producers invites you to explore the Route de l'érable, stretching across all of Quebec, this winter. Discover the culinary savoir-faire of 100 of our greatest chefs and artisans who have been awarded the title "Créatif de l'érable."

For more information, visit www.laroutedelerable.ca.

About the FPAQ

The Federation of Quebec Maple Syrup Producers was founded in 1966 with the mission of defending and promoting the economic, social and moral interests of its 7,400 maple businesses, all working together to collectively market their products. The quality of their work and their products has made Quebec the producer of close to 80% of today's global maple syrup output.

/NOTE TO PHOTO EDITORS: A photo accompanying this release is available at http://photos.newswire.ca. Images are free to accredited members of the media/

For further information: Micheline Vallée, [phone], [email protected]