Jean-Sébastien Giguère is a Montreal-based chef whose culinary journey began with his Italian grandmother and later flourished at the renowned Toqué!. Throughout his career, he has played a pivotal role in several major restaurant openings. Today, as Executive Chef and Partner of Cogir Restaurants, he leads Le Coureur des Bois, Restaurant h3, and La Cabane du Coureur. His cuisine celebrates Quebec’s terroir while embracing global influences, and his cookbook Climats invites readers to discover the province through the rhythm of its seasons.
Born in Sens, in the Yonne region north of Burgundy, Fabien Pairon grew up immersed in the world of charcuterie, spices and craftsmanship, inheriting from his father, a renowned charcutier, a deep respect for ingredients and a passion for the trade. At the age of 15, he pursued a career in the culinary arts, training as a cook and honing his skills in prestigious gastronomic establishments such as Le Clos des Jacobins in Sens, L’Auberge des Templiers and La Côte Saint-Jacques in Joigny. He later explored international catering and event gastronomy, notably with Potel & Chabot, before founding and developing his own catering business in his home region. In 2011, he was awarded the title of Meilleur Ouvrier de France – Charcutier Traiteur, and the following year joined the École Hôtelière de Lausanne as an instructor. Today, alongside his wife Jennifer, he runs the Auberge Communale du Mont on the heights of Lausanne, an establishment recognized by the Michelin Guide (Bib Gourmand), Gault & Millau (14/20) and, in 2025, the Michelin Green Star for its commitment to responsible, locally rooted gastronomy.