Montréal en Lumière 2026: What to Do at the Village Gourmand?
Once again this year, the Village Gourmand at Montréal en Lumière 2026, presented by Miele in collaboration with Radio-Canada, brings a warm festive spirit to the festival, celebrating gastronomy, conviviality, and wintertime joy. It’s the perfect place to sample new flavours, learn culinary techniques, discover local producers, and share unforgettable bites with friends or family.
To help you make the most of the experience, here’s our selection of must-try activities: tasting workshops and meet-and-greets with passionate chefs, talks, culinary duels, activities for little ones… Whether you’re a curious epicurean, a wine lover, a street food fan, or simply looking for a memorable winter outing, there’s something that’s sure to delight. Grab your mittens, your appetite, and your sense of wonder — we’ll guide you so you don’t miss a thing at the Village Gourmand.
Duck Pithivier Workshop with Harrison Shewchuck
The chef-owner of Limbo, one of our favourite restaurants, will reveal the secrets behind his famous duck pithivier, a signature creation traditionally served during the holiday season. During this workshop, Harrison will walk participants through the technique behind this decadent recipe: a half duck breast, a slice of foie gras, a flavourful mixture of pork sausage and duck trimmings, all delicately wrapped in light, golden puff pastry. A must for lovers of refined cuisine during Montréal en Lumière 2026.
Radio-Canada Gourmet Workshops with Yoann Van Den Berg
The grand winner of Les Chefs! 2025, Yoann Van Den Berg will host a culinary workshop where he’ll share all the tips behind his famous sea urchin caramel — the recipe that earned him victory in the finale. A golden opportunity to learn from a rising chef and to dive behind the scenes of a dish that’s as bold as it is delicious.
Demystifying Caviar with François-Xavier Dehédin
Here’s your invitation to discover (and better understand) a truly luxurious product: caviar. This workshop explores the history of this exceptional delicacy, whose production can sometimes require up to 20 years of work before reaching the perfection of the final product. An ideal talk for the curious and for lovers of major gastronomic discoveries.
New this year at the Village Gourmand: Frèloca: Duel Gourmand, a Montréal en Lumière 2026 culinary competition spotlighting the city’s best emerging talent — live and free in front of an audience. Participants face off by creating dishes under the watchful eye of a jury, who determine the winning recipe all the way to the grand finale on March 7, 2026. Expect suspense, creativity, and plenty of talent on the menu.
Kids’ Cooking Workshops with C’est moi le chef!
Designed especially for younger food lovers, the C’est moi le chef! workshops offer kids a chance to play chef for the day. On the program: fun, discovery, and delicious creations. Children will explore new ingredients, sharpen their curiosity, and most importantly, have fun getting hands-on in the kitchen. A wonderful way for families to share a special moment around food. Spots are limited and registration is on a first-come, first-served basis. Fast-track tickets can be reserved on the C’est moi le chef! website starting February 11.
Discover Montréal en Lumière 2026 full program here!
Written by Jean-Philippe Tastet
