Normand Laprise was born in Kamouraska in the province of Quebec. He attended the Charlesbourg Hospitality School and began his career in restaurants in Quebec City and Montreal.

After several internships and travels abroad, he returned to Canada. In 1993, he opened Toqué! with his partner Christine Lamarche. The restaurant is a true laboratory, with a tasting menu that is renewed daily.

Chef Laprise is frequently invited to cook internationally, where he gladly showcases Quebec gastronomy. His work has been recognized by the Order of Quebec and Canada. He received the Renaud-Cyr Tribute Award to honor his commitment to Quebec’s market gardeners, farmers, and fishermen. He was the only Canadian ambassador on the prestigious Paul Bocuse Institute Advisory Board and has been a judge on the popular cooking competition Les Chefs on Radio-Canada television for over 15 years.

Language spoken: French, English 

Photo credit: Audrey-Eve Beauchamps