Chef Normand Laprise says he has received an outpouring of support following his businesses' financial difficulties in recent months and assures that his well-known restaurant Toqué! will remain open in downtown Montreal.
• Also read: Catering: Renowned Montreal chef Normand Laprise's Toqué Group owes its suppliers nearly $5 million
“I have been working with small producers for years [québécois]and over the last few weeks they've been texting me asking if they could help me,” he said in an interview Thursday.
The Journal announced Thursday that three Toqué Group companies recently filed for bankruptcy under the Bankruptcy and Bankruptcy Code.
Around a hundred creditors have not been paid, according to a statement to the trustee dated February 13th.
These include many food suppliers, such as a fishmonger, a cheese factory, a fruit and vegetable dealer and wineries.
According to Sophie Dormeau, the lawyer representing the group, the total debt is $5 million.
“Photo Jean-Louis Fortin”
Sophie Dormeau, lawyer at the Toqué Group, Normand Laprise, co-owner of Toqué! and Christine Lamarche, co-owner of Toqué!, plan to keep the famous Montreal restaurant open.
Everything is more expensive
The increase in construction costs partly explains the setbacks of the group that owns the five addresses of the Brasserie T! Beginning of January.
“Building the same brewery, copied and pasted, would cost 40% more in Sainte-Thérèse [il y a un an] than 5 years ago in Brossard,” explains the chef and entrepreneur.
Not to mention food costs, which he estimates have increased “between 8 and 22 percent” in the last year.
“Photo Jean-Louis Fortin”
Normand Laprise states that he must “mourn” the loss of several restaurants and that he will now focus all his energy on the smooth operation of the flagship of Place Jean-Paul-Riopelle in Montreal, le Toqué!, which celebrated its 30th anniversary in 2023 -year anniversary.
“We have an exceptional team,” adds his business partner Christine Lamarche, pointing out that the 85-seat restaurant is regularly fully booked.
Spend less money
Restaurateurs make no secret of the fact that the rising cost of living is putting a strain on business because customers are spending less money than before.
“Guys, instead of taking a bottle [de vin] At $125, they take a bottle for $85,” Mr. Laprise explains.
“Photo Jean-Louis Fortin”
The kitchen of Toque!
So they decided to give 50% off meals to children under 17 who come with their parents during spring break March 5-8. A chance for them to breathe new life into the establishment.
“I will end my days here. I will continue as long as I can,” assures Normand Laprise.
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