Because Luxsure loves exceptional people, we decided to meet Lesley Chesterman , one of Canada’s leading food critics. Her food reviews for the Gazette are sometimes biting and piquant, sometimes amusing and terribly intelligent.
Her pen has wreaked havoc in the culinary world, as she wrote one of the five toughest reviews in all of North America for the restaurant Les enfants terribles. But rest assured, I wasn’t eaten alive by this grand dame of the kitchen – quite the contrary!
Meeting Lesley Chesterman was one of the best interviews I’ve ever had in my career. This exceptionally well-written woman is the perfect British woman with a hilarious Bridget Jones sense of humor. When it comes to her job, she’s unwavering: it’s her job to speak for all those people who can’t. She has to tell her story without complacency. It’s her job to speak up for all those people who can’t, and she’s duty-bound to tell the story of her experience without complacency in order to advise readers.
So we asked her a few questions, including how she became a critic. She told us in all honesty that she was already quite critical at a very young age; she was a ballet dancer and very self-critical. Her mother was obsessed with Gourmet magazine, which at the time presented the world of gastronomy as a world of travel and sophisticated living. For her, it was an enchanted world that fascinated her from an early age, and which, before becoming a critic, inspired her to become a pastry chef.
We also asked her what she sees as Montreal’s strength in cuisine. And for Lesley, it’s those chefs who are really motivated and form the DNA of the Québécois. What’s more, there are some very good local products, and in her opinion, Montreal boasts 50 very good restaurants. But that’s not necessarily the case in every city.
She also gave us her favorite addresses, which are Baie des fromages, an Italian store on Jean Talon Street, especially for its Parmegianno and mortadella, which she loves to taste. And her favorite restaurant, Moleskine, for its exceptional team and sommelier Véronique.
Speaking of wine, we wondered what Lesley’s was. Well, our dear critic is a fan of good German wines like Riesling. As well as Corsican wines, and the ultimate for her is a good Chianti with a bowl of spaghetti. Wine is relaxation, and what does Lesley Chesterman do when she’s not busy writing? Well, she cooks! It’s a therapeutic way for her to relax. After all, it’s her passion!
Finally, a woman of excellence is nothing without a few projects. Lesley Chesterman hopes to have written a cookbook or two within the next 5 years. As far as I’m concerned, I’ll be the first to buy it.
Cette publication est également disponible en :
