Why Montréal Is One of the World’s Great Food Cities - Industry Night International Edition
For the first time ever, Industry Night goes international. Host Nycci Nellis travels to Montréal for Montréal en Lumière, one of the world’s most celebrated winter festivals, a city-wide celebration of food, art, music, and culture that transforms the Quartier des Spectacles into a glowing playground in the heart of winter.
During the festival, more than 80 restaurants participate in the Air France Finest Tables program, chefs take to the streets in the Village Gourmand, and the legendary Nuit Blanche keeps the city buzzing until sunrise with hundreds of cultural events.
While exploring Montréal’s dynamic hospitality scene, Nycci sits down with some of the people shaping the city’s culinary conversation.
In this episode of Industry Night, meet:
Yves Lowe– Executive Chef & Gastronomy Programming Manager for Montréal en Lumière, discussing the scale of the festival, 90+ world-class chefs from 17 countries, and this year’s theme:A Taste of History – 65 Years of Montréal Gastronomy.
Vanya Filipovic – Co-owner and Wine Director of Mon Lapin, winner of North America’s Best Sommelier 2025 (North America’s 50 Best Restaurants) and part of the team behind Mon Lapin’s #2 ranking on North America’s 50 Best Restaurants 2025. We talk about natural wine, global recognition, Michelin’s arrival in Québec, and Montréal’s evolving identity.
Ari Schor – Chef and co-owner of Beba, ranked #50 on North America’s 50 Best Restaurants 2025. Ari shares his journey from Argentina to Montréal, the influence of immigration and family history on his cooking, and what it means to run a restaurant rooted in memory.
David Lepage – Executive Chef of Hoogan et Beaufort, whose international résumé includes Daniel Boulud’s Daniel and Café Boulud, and Mauro Colagreco’s London kitchen. We discuss wood-fired cuisine, mentorship, returning home, and Montréal’s ingredient-driven future.
From award-winning restaurants to one of the world’s most vibrant winter festivals, this episode dives into the culture, creativity, and community that make Montréal one of North America’s great food cities.
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