Daniel Hadida and Eric Robertson – Restaurant Pearl Morissette, Canada’s Best Restaurant and the Power of Unconventional Thinking

In this episode of Tasting Notes Toronto, I interview Daniel Hadida and Eric Robertson, co-owners of the acclaimed Restaurant Pearl Morissette. They discuss their journeys into hospitality, the inspirations behind their cooking, and the philosophy guiding their restaurant. Daniel and Eric detail how their unique experiences working in various esteemed restaurants in Europe influenced their approach to sourcing and utilizing local ingredients in Canada. They highlight the challenges and rewards of running a farm-to-table restaurant, the impact of receiving Michelin stars, and their commitment to creating a positive work culture. The episode also touches on their future projects, including ongoing culinary innovations and a forthcoming cookbook. This episode is a deep dive into what it takes to operate at the highest level in the culinary world.

Daniel Hadida and Eric Robertson – Restaurant Pearl Morissette, Canada’s Best Restaurant and the Power of Unconventional Thinking

00:00 Introduction to Tasting Notes Toronto

01:42 Meet the Chefs: Daniel Hadida and Eric Robertson

01:58 Daniel's Culinary Journey

03:14 Eric's Culinary Journey

06:06 Influential Chefs and Cookbooks

09:41 European Culinary Adventures

16:05 Farm Experiences and Their Impact

21:41 Founding Restaurant Pearl Morissette

25:05 Challenges and Innovations in Hospitality

34:52 Commitment to Local Ingredients

35:58 Local Sourcing and Initial Challenges

36:59 Building Relationships with Farmers

38:20 Exciting New Ingredients

41:36 Creating a Positive Kitchen Culture

48:02 The Impact of Michelin Recognition

57:40 Future Plans and Excitement

Books Referenced:

A Day at elBulli -Ferran Adrià

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Champagne: Cork Pop and Pour by ultradust -- https://freesound.org/s/166923/ -- License: Attribution 4.0