On October 30 the French Library hosted a poutine-tasting event for our members of the Center.  Following an educational workshop on the differences between European and Canadian French earlier in the month, we decided to continue to explore the region of Québec by appreciating this dish that is uniquely Québecois. Not only did we have a poutine bar provided by local restaurant Saus with toppings such as pork belly and crispy shallots, but several of our dedicated volunteers helped us make some homemade poutine in our kitchen.  We created traditional poutine but also offered a dessert poutine and even made sauce from grocery-store purchased packets from the brand St. Hubert!

Marie-Josée Duquette, the Communications, Cultural, and Francophone Affair Attachée at the Québec Government Office, was on hand to provide a short history of poutine and some fun facts.  For example, did you know that poutine was served at the first state dinner between Barak Obama and Justin Trudeau in 2016? And the McPoutine served by McDonald's has less calories than the Big Mac?!

Enjoy photos below from our evening and if you are still hankering for some poutine, don't forget to check out the poutine festivals in Lewiston, Maine, New Hampshire, and the poutine contest at the Museum of Work and Culture in Woonsocket, Rhode Island!

salon-acote-logo-ca We decided to offer a few different kinds of poutine to our members. One of these included packet sauce from the ubiquitous Québecois restaurant St. Hubert.
Adding our from-scratch homemade sauce


salon-acote-logo-ca Miam ! Miam !

salon-acote-logo-ca Delicious toppings from the restaurant Saus

salon-acote-logo-ca Our volunteer chef Tom!
salon-acote-logo-ca Our take on a dessert poutine- fries, caramel popcorn, mini marshmallows, and caramel sauce


salon-acote-logo-ca Poutine bar

salon-acote-logo-ca A special presentation on poutine by Marie-Josée Duquette, Communications, Cultural, and Francophone Affair Attachée at the Québec Government Office

Natalie Collet

Former Membership Manager

From the Midwest, Natalie is a Francophile at heart. Her interest in French started when studying ballet and​ the language and culture entranced her through her student years.​ She became involved with the - Alliance - in the suburbs of Chicago after she spent an unforgettable year teaching English in a French high school near Bordeaux. She is happy to join the team in Boston and work with the members to provide them with unique opportunities​, ​quality programming​, and a community through French!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Related Posts

French Influence in the U.S. You Probably Didn't Know About

When we talk about Francophone regions, we usually think of France first, then perhaps Belgium, and maybe Quebec or Morocco. But we often overlook the…

Read More

Getting to Know Lily K. Smith: A Proust Questionnaire

As we prepare to celebrate Bastille Day at the French Library on Sunday, July 13, we invited featured performer Lily K. Smith to answer a…

Read More

On My Father’s Land: How French Led Me Back to Him

Something inside us, I think, craves seeing new places, whether a coastal town 30 miles away or a picturesque medieval city 3,000 miles across the…

Read More

Upcoming Events

Tuesday, September 23, 2025

What is more French and fun than enjoying cooking with your friends? With this series, you will learn how to make essentials of the French cuisine: Niçoise Ratatouille & Floating Island

Read More
Member Event

Theater Club in September

In-person, Indoor Event in French

Wednesday, September 24, 2025

Come join us for the new Theater Club at the French Library, a place to read, watch, discuss and recite contemporary and classic French plays with fellow enthusiasts.

Read More
Cooking Workshop

Macaron class with Chef and Champagne

GASTRONOMY & WINE PROGRAM: YOUR FRENCH CULINARY ARTS AND WINE JOURNEY

Thursday, September 25, 2025

The French Library is delighted to present this cooking class from our new Gastronomy & Wine program. Guided by excellence, this program is designed to educate you in the fine art of cooking and oenology with experts.

Read More