We are lucky enough to be surrounded by farmers and producers who take on the job of feeding us healthily with full respect for the environment. Let’s meet some of them….

GETTING STARTED IS …VERTIGINOUS

In 2011, Jean-François Dritschler – Jeff, to those who know him – 38-year-old gourmet chef and traveler, launched his market gardening business called Les Jardins VERTIGE. Jeff is a determined man and he worked ceaselessly, swapping kitchen equipment for gardening tools.

FROM TRAVEL AND GASTRONOMY TO MARKET GARDENING

Inspired by a German father with a passion for gathering wild mushrooms, Jeff attended the École hôtelière des Laurentides, then headed for Switzerland to spend time in the great kitchens of Relais et Châteaux establishments. For five years, he sharpened his sense of taste and desire for excellence. Back in Quebec at the inn Mange Grenouille, in Bic, known for the creative refinement of its food and its unique operetta-style décor, he was the chef and highlighted products from the local terroir. He developed a new interest when he entered into a relationship with the producers from the marketing farm Val-aux-Vents, and got into diversified organic farming.

VEGETABLES FROM OUR HERITAGE

Les Jardins VERTIGE (gardens) offers baskets and a wide variety of heritage species organic vegetables. The seeds are selected from ancestral kitchen gardens, and are sometimes less productive, but the vegetables are particularly flavourful.

HEADING FOR THE GREAT NORTH

Jeff recently became associated with Joëlle Lavallée, an adventuresome lady who has spent more than 12 years in her B & B in Iqaluit, Nunavut. Some of the vegetables from Jardins VERTIGE will now be enjoyed by the people up there.

This summer, Joëlle and Jeff will offer their products for sale at the Mont-Tremblant summer market, at the Boucherie Les Mercenaires butcher shop, and at their own store in La Conception.

jardinsvertige.com

By the same author: Agricultural adventure (Click the image below)