La Poutine Week: A Celebration of Canada’s Iconic Dish
La Poutine Week is an annual food festival that celebrates poutine, a beloved Canadian dish consisting of french fries, cheese curds, and gravy. This week-long event brings together hundreds of restaurants across Canada to showcase their unique and creative poutine creations.
Quick Facts
- When is it?: February 1-7 annually
- Tagged as: Food festival, culinary celebration
- What’s the hashtag?: #LaPoutineWeek
- When was it founded?: 2013
- Who founded it?: Na’eem Adam and Thierry Rassam
History of La Poutine Week
La Poutine Week was conceived by marketing entrepreneur Na’eem Adam and lawyer Thierry Rassam in 2013. The festival began as a way to celebrate poutine and support local restaurants during the slow winter months. What started as a small event in Montreal has grown into the world’s largest poutine festival, with over 700 participating restaurants and more than 350,000 customers.
Timeline
- 2013: First La Poutine Week held in Montreal with 30 restaurants
- 2014: Expanded to Quebec City, Ottawa, and Toronto
- 2015: International participation begins with restaurants in Brooklyn and Australia
- 2018: Festival grows to include 240 restaurants across nine Canadian cities
- 2021: 700 restaurants participate across 8 Canadian provinces, making it the largest poutine festival in the world
- 2022: La Poutine Week extends to a two-week celebration
La Poutine Week Dates
| Year | Month and Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Feb 1 – Feb 7 | Sat – Fri |
| 2026 | Feb 1 – Feb 7 | Sun – Sat |
| 2027 | Feb 1 – Feb 7 | Mon – Sun |
| 2028 | Feb 1 – Feb 7 | Tue – Mon |
| 2029 | Feb 1 – Feb 7 | Thu – Wed |
| 2030 | Feb 1 – Feb 7 | Fri – Thu |
Observed La Poutine Week
La Poutine Week is observed across Canada, with participating restaurants in major cities and small towns alike. During the festival, restaurants create special poutine dishes, often with unique and creative toppings. Customers are encouraged to try different poutines and vote for their favorites online.
The festival has become a significant event in the Canadian culinary calendar, attracting food enthusiasts and tourists. It not only celebrates the beloved dish but also supports local businesses during typically slow winter months.
In recent years, La Poutine Week has expanded its reach, with some international participation and an increased focus on charitable giving, such as partnering with Food Banks Canada.
Fun Facts About La Poutine Week
- La Poutine Week was inspired by the success of Le Burger Week, another food festival created by the same founders.
- The festival has categories for awards, including “People’s Choice” and “Most Original Poutine.”
- Some restaurants have created dessert poutines and vegetarian/vegan options to cater to diverse tastes.
- In 2021, the festival adapted to the COVID-19 pandemic by partnering with food delivery services.
- La Poutine Week has helped popularize poutine internationally, with participating restaurants in countries like Australia and Brazil.
Quiz
- In which year was La Poutine Week founded?
- How many days does La Poutine Week typically last?
- Who are the founders of La Poutine Week?
- Which Canadian city hosted the first La Poutine Week?
- How many restaurants participated in La Poutine Week 2021?
(Answers: 1. 2013, 2. Seven days, 3. Na’eem Adam and Thierry Rassam, 4. Montreal, 5. 700 restaurants)
FAQs
What is poutine?
Poutine is a Canadian dish made of french fries topped with cheese curds and gravy.
Can restaurants outside of Canada participate in La Poutine Week?
Yes, some international restaurants have participated in recent years.
How do I vote for my favorite poutine during La Poutine Week?
Voting is typically done through the official La Poutine Week website.
Is there an entry fee for restaurants to participate?
There is usually a participation fee, but it has been waived or reduced in some years to support restaurants.
Are there vegetarian or vegan options available during La Poutine Week?
Yes, many restaurants offer vegetarian and vegan poutine variations during the festival.
Importance of La Poutine Week
La Poutine Week plays a significant role in celebrating Canadian culinary culture and supporting local businesses. The festival encourages culinary creativity, allowing chefs to experiment with new flavors and combinations while honoring the classic poutine.
For participating restaurants, La Poutine Week provides a valuable opportunity to showcase their skills and attract new customers during a traditionally slow period. The competitive aspect of the festival, with its various awards, adds an extra layer of excitement for both restaurants and customers.
Moreover, La Poutine Week has become an important platform for community engagement and tourism. It brings people together over a shared love of food and creates a festive atmosphere in participating cities. The event has also helped to spread the popularity of poutine beyond Canada’s borders, contributing to the country’s culinary reputation internationally.
Related
- National Poutine Day
- Le Burger Week
- Montreal Food Festivals
- Canadian Culinary Events
- Winter Food Festivals