J-C POIRIER began his culinary career in Monteal, Quebec, under Chef Normand Laprise, quickly moving up through the ranks at Toque! In 1994, J-C moved to Vancouver, working with Rob Feenie and Marc-Andre Choquette at Lumi re, before opening the award-winning Chow restaurant in 2007. In late 2013, J-C and his team opened Ask For Luigi, a casual and intimate Italian-inspired restaurant. But the food of his home province was J-C's true passion, and he opened St. Lawrence in June 2017 to great fan-fare. Located in Railtown, Vancouver, St. Lawrence spotlights both classic French dishes and J-C's favourite recipes from his childhood in Quebec. Since launching St. Lawrence, J-C has led the restaurant to rave reviews, critical acclaim, and numerous accolades including- a Michelin star, Best Restaurant and Best New Restaurant at the 2018 Vancouver Magazine Restaurant Awards; the No. 4 spot on enRoute magazine's 2018 list of Canada's Best New Restaurants; and Chef of the Year, Best Restaurant, Best Gastown and Best French titles at the 2019 Vancouver Magazine Restaurant Awards. The restaurant was also singled out for the No. 2 spot on the 2020 compilation of Canada's Top 100 Restaurants, after being ranked No. 20 on the 2018 list, and was named as one of Monocle magazine's 50 Favourite Restaurants in the World in its 2019 Drinking & Dining Directory. JOIE ALVARO KENT is the co-author of Maenam- A Fresh Approach to Thai Cooking with Angus An. A food and beverage writer and culinary awards judge based in Vancouver, British Columbia, her work has been featured in NUVO magazine, Eater, Best Places Vancouver, Vancouver magazine, and MONTECRISTO magazine. Joie is a sipper of Boulevardiers, habitual daydreamer, and full-contact eater.
""Where the River Narrows is full of delicious recipes and classic dishes that are refined by a true master of his craft. I found this book to be a perfect reflection of my friend J-C: honest, proud, and so damn beautiful. I can’t wait to start cooking from it."" —ANGUS AN, chef and author of Maenam: A Fresh Approach to Thai Cooking ""A sensual culinary journey featuring recipes that are equally aspirational and approachable. J-C’s heart and soul comes through in this beautiful cookbook collaboration. Prepare to be swept away."" —AIMÉE WIMBUSH-BOURQUE, food blogger and award-winning author of The Simple Bites Kitchen ""J-C’s belief in the timelessness of classic dishes rooted in exceptional ingredients has elevated St. Lawrence restaurant among Canada’s best. He is the true definition of a chef who believes that a kitchen should never become a laboratory, as real foodstands the test of time. Where the River Narrows will take you through France and Québec to J-C’s own home kitchen."" —CHEF ROB FEENIE ""A wonderfully inspiring book, illustrating the depth of J-C’s passion, dedication, and hard work. Where the River Narrows is a work of art. Félicitations!"" —VINCENT FRAISSANGE, Executive Chef of Pheasant restaurant, New York