Meet the Anishinaabe chef infusing his life experience into this Haileybury restaurant
CBC News | June 04, 2022
Categories: news
"It's everything I've ever done," says Gerry Brandon of the food at L'Autochtone
Jonathan Pinto · CBC News · Posted: Jun 04, 2022 7:00 AM ET | Last Updated: June 4
After a career working in some of Canada's best restaurants, Gerry Brandon returned to northeastern Ontario shortly before the pandemic to open an upscale restaurant quite unlike any other in the region.
L'Autochtone Taverne Américaine (Indigenous American Tavern) opened in 2019 in Haileybury, a community of Temiskaming Shores, Ont.
When asked to describe the food, Brandon — who is from Dokis First Nation but grew up as a child of the Sixties Scoop with his adopted family in New Liskeard — describes it as a reflection of his life experience.
"It's me. It's my personality. It's my travels. It's everything I've ever done," he explained.
Tap on the player to hear more of our conversation.
Up North9:02Northern Nosh: L'Autochtone - Taverne Américaine
After working in some of Canada's best restaurants, Gerry Brandon returned to northern Ontario to open a restaurant quite unlike any other in the region. Jonathan learned more about Gerry and L'Autochtone - Taverne Américaine for this week's edition of Northern Nosh.
L'Autochtone Taverne Américaine is located at 484 Ferguson Ave. in Haileybury. During the pandemic, he expanded operations into the nearby Buster's Mini Mart, a former convenience store at 361 Main St. that functions as a hybrid cafe and gourmet grocer.
Northern Nosh is a weekly feature on Up North, CBC Radio One's regional afternoon show for northern Ontario. If you know a food producer you think would make a great story, get in touch!
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