Chef Daniel Boulud Honored at Canada's 100 Best Restaurants Awards

Michelin-starred chef and international restaurateur Daniel Boulud was named The Influencer 2016 at last night's Canada's 100 Best Restaurants Awards, in honour of his contributions to culinary excellence in Canada. The event was held at the Enercare Centre during the Restaurants Canada Show, where Café Boulud Toronto was ranked among the top 20 on the list. Boulud was thrilled to accept the award, graciously thanking the Canada's 100 Best Restaurants judging panel and the Café Boulud team, led by chef de cuisine Sylvain Assié.

"Given the excellent, diverse nature of Canada's chefs and restaurants right now, to be given The Influencer 2016 Award is a true honour," said Boulud. "I have found a great partner with Four Seasons Hotel Toronto and I have a strong team at Café Boulud, helmed by my partner in the kitchen, Sylvain Assié. It is due to our hard work and dedication that we were able to create a comfortable, fun, inviting restaurant where our guests wish to return again and again."

Celebrated food writer Jacob Richler founded Canada's 100 Best with the goal of highlighting the country's diverse and evolving culinary scene and recognizing the extraordinary efforts of the people within the restaurant industry. The magazine, launched in 2015, strives to be an essential guide for Canadians looking to make an educated decision before making any meal reservation.

"The Influencer Award recognizes Boulud's incredible successes in advancing the cause and raising the bar for l'art culinaire around the globe, and specifically in Canada," said Richler. "It's been an honour to get to know Daniel personally on his visits to Canada the last few years, and we are so pleased he was able to accept his award personally."

With a commitment to French culinary tradition and a lively brasserie atmosphere, Café Boulud has received glowing reviews since its reopening September 2015, including a 3.5/4-star review from The Globe & Mail restaurant critic Chris Nuttall-Smith. The most recent accolade from Canada's 100 Best comes just weeks after Café Boulud won the title of Best Restaurant in Canada at the Notable Awards.

Photo by Ryan Emberley