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

The Other Name on the Cover: Celebrating the Art of Translation

Lately, I've noticed that many of the writers I love have also been translators, carrying the voices of the authors they love into their own…

Read More

Five Francophone Teams to Keep an Eye on for the World Cup

There are many stereotypes about Brazilians that I don't fit into: I can't dance samba, I'm not from Rio de Janeiro, and caipirinhas are not…

Read More

A French Painter in Boston: The Art of Slowing Down

When I stand in front of a canvas in my Boston studio, my hand often reaches for color before my mind reaches for words. Again…

Read More

Upcoming Events

Tuesday, October 13, 2026

Take a culinary journey to Normandy and learn to prepare a classic salade normande followed by an elegant apple rose tart, in this hands-on cooking class taught in French.

Read More
Tuesday, October 13, 2026

Join us at the French Library for a conversation on The Lover by Marguerite Duras. We invite you to read the book in its entirety and meet us on October 13th, from 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM.

Read More
Tuesday, October 13, 2026

Pascal Bonitzer takes on one of France’s most beloved characters, Inspector Maigret, portrayed by the equally legendary Denis Podalydès.

Read More