François Chartier

François Chartier is the author of the popular French-language annual wine and food guide La Sélection Chartier, now in its sixteenth edition, as well as the bestselling à Table avec François Chartier. In 2009, Chartier's original French edition of Taste Buds and Molecules (Papilles et Molécules) made its grand entrance onto the world's cooking stage when it won the prestigious Gourmand World Cookbook Award for Best Innovative Cookbook in the World—all languages considered. Chartier is the only Canadian to have ever been named the best world sommelier in French wines and spirits at the prestigious Grand Prix Sopexa. Pioneering what he calls "aromatic food harmonies and sommellerie," he used his groundbreaking research to collaborate with Ferran Adrià and Juli Soler on the 2009–2010 menu at their legendary restaurant elBulli, which was voted the world's best restaurant five times over. He has been featured in such publications as Wine Spectator and in 2008 received l'Ordre National du Québec, the highest distinction bestowed on citizens by the Québec government. The Canadian newspaper The Globe and Mail named him one of the forty-five Canadians who have most influenced world change in 2010, recognizing his research work, scientific contributions, and role in the application of the theory of aromas in cooking. Chartier's new television show on Télé-Québec, Papilles, introduces unpretentious aromatic recipes, reinvented classics, and cleverly chosen and accessible food and beverage pairings.