By James Morgan, The Review, August 24, 2018
Ah, the smell of the forest! Pine, spruce, maple, oak, fresh air, and food! The third Forêt Gourmande (gourmet forest) is happening on Sunday, September 16 in Brownsburg-Chatham. The event is a fair of local food and artisan producers that takes place on the property of founder Jean-Noël Pilotte, who owns L’Éveil du printemps chocolates in Brownsburg village.
Pilotte said the local food fair started out when he got discussing things with Caroline Giroux, the municipal Community Development and Recreation Agent and it led to the first Forêt Gourmande in 2016. He said the event is about “new foods and new ideas,” and commented people are not aware of the wide variety of artisan food products that are produced in the local community and how easily available or affordable they are. Bison meat was one example Pilotte gave. He said many people think it’s expensive and difficult to get, but it is not much different in price than other meats and is produced locally. Pilotte said about 30 vendors take part and are assembled in a circular pattern in two acres of forest. In the middle, straw bales and boards are set up so visitors have an area to sit and enjoy their food. There is a medieval theme this year. People in period costume will be there and games for children will be included as well.
https://thereview.ca/2018/08/24/foret-gourmande-to-celebrate-local-food-in-brownsburg-chatham/