"Normand Laprise is a legend in the culinary world of Montréal, a pioneer who elevated the city's dining scene with an emphasis on local and seasonal products, putting the bounty of Québec at the center of his menu. When he opened Toqué at its original location, in 1993, it also breathed some new fun into the gourmet experience. For generations, haute cuisine in Montréal was synonymous with imitations of French cuisine, and old-school French at that. Laprise brought an emphasis not only on the best of Québec's products, but also playful and unexpected flavor combinations—fruit water mixed with savory meats, rhubarb paired with foie gras. In 2004, Laprise's success meant he had outgrown his first location, and he moved to the current one in the city's Quartier International. It remains one of the city's favorite special-occasion dining destinations, for both locals and visitors."