A chef who has been employed at Château Frontenac for six years has decided to step out of his comfort zone and live the adventure of the Magdalen Islands in the kitchen of the renowned Quai 360 in Cap-aux – Grindstones.
“I bought a trailer with my girlfriend, put my kitten under my arm and went on an adventure,” laughs Samuel Roy, who officially had his baptism of fire last Thursday when the restaurant reopened for the new season.
Because in order to become a full-time resident of the islands, the 30-year-old had to find a place to stay, a task that’s not an easy task given the housing shortage.
“We’re very happy with the caravan, it’s still difficult to find a place, we’ll stay with friends in the Gros Cap region,” he says, pleased about the project.
Photo courtesy of Nathalie Miousse-Quai 360
Former chef at Château Frontenac, Samuel Roy, embarks on a new adventure in the Magdalen Islands.
influence of his girlfriend
The Kamouraska native admits his girlfriend was a good influence on his decision. She visited the region last summer and, like many tourists, fell in love with the friendliness of the people and the picturesque landscapes.
“She was a good saleswoman. She found a graphic design job here,” Samuel confirms that the couple is now ready for their new life.
For the owners of Quai 360, hiring a chef is a first since it opened in 2015.
“It’s our baby, we built it from A to Z and we started looking for the next generation,” says Nathalie Miousse, who holds the stronghold of the company with her husband, whose motto is: local products that are made with love to be prepared.
fishing at sea
Samuel Roy is part of the movement of new generation chefs that has sprung up in Quebec in recent years.
Over the years he has learned in several good restaurants in the old capital, including Lapin Sauté, Portofino and Atelier. These experiences allowed him to work at the Champlain restaurant at Fairmont Château Frontenac with Stéphane Modat, from whom he learned and drew inspiration.
Newly adopted Madelinot jumps at the idea of cooking fresh produce from the Magdalen Islands.
“We’ve already been invited to go fishing on the high seas, which is really motivating,” he says happily.
Photo courtesy of Nathalie Miousse-Quai 360
An interior view of the Quai 360 restaurant in Cap-aux-Meules.
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Quai 360 has been open since April 13th and will continue its activities until December. The restaurant has 44 seats for two services per evening from Monday to Friday. Guests must book ahead of time to enjoy the dining experience.