Cooking in the forest

A passion based on sharing

After a long epic journey in the restaurant business, from cocktail bars to gourmet restaurants and even food factories, it was at the turn of the world pandemic that our passions came together to explore the world of wood-fired cooking and to explore the Quebec territory in search of new places to discover. The initial idea was to be able to recreate a restaurant whose decor is nature itself in order to offer not only a culinary experience but also a social one, since with the pandemic, playing outside is without a doubt a must to keep a healthy mind.

With the experiences, we have cooked in places where all chefs would dream of doing so and with a sometimes disarming ease. Now, we have developed an incredible synergy that claims to bring people together and that advocates sharing in a non-commercial way. This enthusiasm has pushed us to go beyond our limits, such as sourcing from local farms and breeders or fighting the cold with food that is not necessarily resistant to it. 

The most important lesson we learned, and one that every aspiring forest cook should consider when developing their menu, is to set realistic goals. There is no point in aiming for a recipe that is too complex, because often it is the simplicity that makes the experience enjoyable. Let yourself go and make recipes that make you feel confident, your taste buds and those of your guests will judge when the time comes. 

Perfect weather for cooking

With the arrival of spring, we see the days getting longer, the temperature rising and nature coming back to life. When it comes to this time of year, it's unanimous, we all want to go outside and play and what better way to do so than with an outdoor excursion. For us, it's the perfect opportunity to cook a delicious afternoon meal with good friends. It's not too hot or too cold, there are no flies and the melting snow leaves the dry and broken branches of the trees visible which makes the task of making a fire much easier. The table is set, all that remains is to cook.

Mastering the art of the fire

Obviously, to cook in the forest, you must have a minimum of judgment and a perfect mastery of fire. That said, we start by choosing a clear and safe place with little vegetation on the ground and as close to water as possible. If there are rocks nearby, they should be gathered around the fire, as this keeps the heat in the center and keeps the fire in one place.

When the location is chosen, we go hunting for dry wood, so the first collect is very important. The birch bark and spruce branches are very dry and can be used to start a fire quickly. When the fire is taken as it should be, we add woods of bigger diameter to make embers because it takes quite a lot. A tip if you want to save time and energy, bring a bag of charcoal!

When the embers are sufficient, it's time to set up the grate near the fire and all that's left to do is shovel pieces of glowing embers underneath for cooking. Don't be too optimistic and never neglect your fire because the embers are consumed quickly.