When February rolls around, folks in Montreal know its time to ditch the snow shovels and ice scrapers and grab their knives and forks—and in 2016, their chopsticks.

That’s because Montréal en Lumiere (MEL), one of the world’s largest winter festivals, unfolds throughout the city from Feb. 18 to March 5, 2016. With the festival’s exhaustive programme of performing arts and free outdoor family events, and an especially concentrated focus on culinary offerings, locals know its never too cold to get out and celebrate.

Among the event highlights are the culinary spotlights. Every year the festival showcases one international city, one American city and one region in Quebec. This year the designated partners are Shenzen, China—the first Asian guest in the history of MEL—as well as Boston, the featured American city, and Laval, the Québécois region to discover.

Shenzhen, China

A rapidly growing city of immigrants, Shenzhen unites culinary traditions from around China, but it is especially known for its Cantonese cuisine. Shenzen events include:

Anthony Dong: Honorary President’s Dinners

Renoir Restaurant, Sofitel Montréal; Feb. 26, 27; 6:30 p.m.

Restaurant Renoir will host the Festival’s Honorary President’s Dinners, starring Anthony Dong, chef of the Futian Shangri-La in Shenzhen. Chef Dong’s demonstrates his expertise in the culinary tradition of Huaiyang and prepares an extraordinary seven-course meal, assisted by chef Olivier Perret and his brigade.

Convivial Meals with Chef Ruitian Yu

Chez Chine, Holiday Inn Montréal Centre-ville; Feb. 26, 27

Located in Montreal’s Chinatown, Chez Chine welcomes the chef of the Shenzen Westin, Ruitian Yu, who creates a fusion meal blending the cuisine of Guangdong with contemporary techniques.

Boston, U.S.A.

Unveiling the many facets of Boston’s fine culinary scene are Tim Cushman of O Ya Restaurant as well as numerous other notable chefs from the New England region.

Laval, Québéc

Located just north of Montreal, Laval is home to an exploding culinary scene. Chef Richard Bastien of Le Mitoyen and others prepare dishes unique to the Laval region. Ten specialty producers and nine culinary masters from the guest region will also hold demonstrations and workshops.

Presenting Québec Chefs and Cheeses

Grand Salon of the Fairmont Queen Elizabeth; Feb. 20

Presented by Fromages d’ici, four chefs from the Les Chefs! program on Radio-Canada concoct culinary masterpieces for 400 guest-judges using Quebec cheeses. Only one chef will take home the $5000 prize offered by Les Producteurs de lait du Québec.

Other Special Culinary Events

Planète Montréal

A fan favourite, this series combines pairs public figures with fine dining establishments, as guests eagerly anticipate the results. Scheduled to appear are Montreal Canadiens General Manager Marc Bergevin, master chocolatier Yves Bonneau, actors Ingrid Falaise and Martin Watier, media host Varda étienne and plenty of others.

Festival of Quebec Cheeses

Complexe Desjardins’ Grande-Place; Feb. 18-20

Returning for a tenth year, the public is invited to meet Quebec’s finest cheesemakers, who discuss the regional distinctions that contribute the flavor of their cheeses. Presented by Fromages d’ici.

The Mondial des Cidres 2016

Complexe Desjardins’ Grande-Place; Feb. 25-27

Twenty artisan cider producers from Quebec demonstrate cider in all its varieties.

Sensory Seminar on Maple Syrup

Cœur des sciences Pavilion, UQAM; Feb. 25

Le Coeur des sciences explores the world of maple syrup and addresses science-based questions such as what makes a good maple grove, how can maple trees be conserved, and others.

Pay Your Age

February 29 to March 5.

Children 16 can explore fine dining while their parents pay the price corresponding to their age.

Finest Tables

The festival’s fifty Finest Tables serve hundreds of gourmet and wine offerings and sponsor activities for every taste and budget. Select participants include: Bistro Laurentien La Coupole (Hôtel Le Crystal), EVOO, La Société Bistro (Hôtel Loews Le Vogue), Le Balmoral, Le Margaux, Le Montréal (Casino de Montréal), Le Quartier Général, Le Restaurant de l'Institut (ITHQ), Le Saint-Gabriel (Auberge Saint-Gabriel), Maison Boulud (Hôtel Ritz Carlton), Pullman, Renoir (Sofitel Montréal Golden Mile) and Restaurant Christophe

To see a complete line up of all gastronomy programs and performing arts schedules, visit the Montréal en Lumiere website. Hotel packages that include accommodations, tastings and a culinary tour are available at most of Montreal’s fine hotels.

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