The Executive Chef at the Casino du Lac-Leamy and Casino de Mont-Tremblant crowned Québec's 2015 Chef of the Year

GATINEAU, QC, May 26, 2015 /CNW Telbec/ - On May 17, 2015, Denis Girard, Executive Chef at the Casino du Lac-Leamy and Casino de Mont-Tremblant, was crowned Québec's Chef of the Year at the annual gala of the Société des chefs, cuisiniers et pâtissiers du Québec (SCCPQ). The entire casino team is pleased with his receiving this honour and recognition from his peers.

Going up against several distinguished chefs from throughout Québec, Denis Girard was proclaimed the best among 800 SCCPQ members, which is the largest group of food trade professionals in Québec.

"Over the past several years, Denis has set himself apart with his commitment to his profession. Thanks to him, Le Baccara restaurant at the Casino du Lac-Leamy maintained its Five Diamond rating for over 15 years. He was also able to establish the reputation of the Casino de Mont-Tremblant's Altitude restaurant as a not-to-be-missed destination in the region. Mr. Girard is more than an Executive Chef, he is a leader as well as a big-hearted and passionate man," said Alain Miroux, General Manager of the Casino du Lac-Leamy and the Casino de Mont-Tremblant.

Having worked in the food service industry for the past 35 years and in Québec's casinos for 19 of those years, Chef Girard teams up with restaurant staff to develop the impressive range of quality dishes now offered at the Casino du Lac-Leamy and the Casino de Mont-Tremblant. Teamwork and mutual respect are the essential ingredients of Chef Girard's daily management style that lead to delivering Altitude's cold appetizer of beef tartare with onion confit and truffle-flavoured poached egg, Arôme's roasted duck breast with pear and fresh goat cheese, and maple cotton candy, and Le Baccara's current Flavourful Flowers menu item of spicy Chic Choc rum baba from Domaine Pinnacle.

"I accept this honour with great pride and humility. Gourmet cuisine is my passion, and I am overjoyed to be applauded by my peers. Serving quality food, often in record time, takes a lot of work and cooperation. And that would not be possible without the excellent team we have in our casinos' kitchens," Denis Girard confided.

The Casino du Lac-Leamy and Casino de Mont-Tremblant

Inaugurated on March 24, 1996, the Casino du Lac-Leamy welcomes an average of three million visitors to its exceptional natural site each year and employs almost 1,400 persons. Year after year, Arôme – Seafood and Grill at the Hilton Hotel and Casino du Lac-Leamy restaurants, particularly Banco Bistro and Le Baccara, set themselves apart with quality service, a warm ambiance and the courtesy of their personnel.

Opened in 2009, the Casino de Mont-Tremblant offers a wide range of distinctive games. Altitude Seafood and Grill − Lounge is the perfect place to relax, savour a lavish meal and enjoy a fabulous view of the mountain. The Casino de Mont-Tremblant, is located on the Versant Soleil of Mont-Tremblant and is also accessible from the pedestrian village via the Casino Express gondola.

SOURCE Loto-Québec

Catherine Schellenberg, Communications Advisor, 819-772-2100, ext. 3429, casinosduquebec.com; Photos available upon request.