5 Questions for Catherine Fournier
Catherine Fournier knows Longueuil like few others… and she speaks about it with the ease of someone who thrives just as much on urban planning projects as on great foodie addresses. Re-elected in record time (just eight minutes!), the mayor shows the same spontaneity when she talks about gastronomy. Because behind the politician lies a true, unapologetic foodie, genuinely inspired by Québec’s culinary evolution.
For her, our gastronomic scene is a source of pride and a genuine driver of attraction. Québec, she says, is becoming an essential food destination — a territory to explore bite by bite, where talented and inspiring chefs are supported by exceptional service teams.
What does she love? The simple and powerful magic of gathering around a good table. And above all, the diversity of local flavours: the vibrant produce of summer, of course, but also those of winter — more comforting, often underestimated, yet essential to our culinary identity.
For Catherine Fournier, Québec gastronomy deserves to be celebrated, highlighted and told. She speaks of her city with pride, where local restaurateurs go above and beyond, where new addresses emerge to be discovered, supported and celebrated. To her, Longueuil’s culinary scene reflects the very best of what Québec has to offer: passionate talents, flavours rooted in the land, and hospitality that makes you want to return.
It is with this foodie perspective and deep attachment to her city that she answered our questions.
What do you cook at home?
I love cooking! It’s pretty much the only activity that helps me completely disconnect. That said, I’m not the best! I have to admit I’m a bit slow. I like to cook things that are simple but flavourful, like tartares… but my go-to is a good Caesar salad!
Your guilty pleasure?
I definitely prefer savoury to sweet! My guilty pleasure is something very simple: Miss Vickie’s chips! I like chips that have flavour and punch (definitely not the plain ones!), so my favourite flavour is lime and black pepper.
If you could describe Longueuil as a dish, what would it be?
Poutine! I think we could officially declare our city the poutine capital. We’ve had visits from several influencers and foodies, notably at Alfa and Votre Maison, and the ratings are always sky-high for our poutines!
What dish takes you back to childhood?
Anything comforting: shepherd’s pie, salmon pie, braised dishes, roast beef… Everything my grandma used to make for me when I was young. I was lucky enough to live with her for nearly thirteen years, and she loved cooking for us. To bring back those flavours, I now rely on my mother, who took over in the kitchen after she passed away! It’s not exactly the same, but she does a really great job nonetheless!
What would a perfect foodie day in Longueuil look like for you?
The day would start at Newland Café on Churchill Boulevard, in the Greenfield Park district. For lunch, I’d head to a very beautiful (and very good!) urban bistro, La Belle et La Barbe, on Cousineau Boulevard in the Saint-Hubert district. In summer, I’d wrap up the day with a drink on a nice terrace at Lou Nissart and dinner just across the street at Dur à Cuire, an excellent bring-your-own-wine restaurant in Old Longueuil. We’re known for having fantastic “bring your own wine” spots!
Written by Jean-Philippe Tastet
Photography by Karine Dufour
