Lesley and David agree that Marc-André Royal is one of Canada's most underrated chef-owners, a talented market cook and impressive entrepreneur.

The Montréal chef-owner of Le St-Urbain recently earned a recommendation in the first edition of Québec's Michelin Guide, and his three (soon to be four) Bête à Pain bakeries are wildly popular with some locals even suggesting he makes the city's best croissant. 

Lesley's glowing 2009 review of Le St-Urbain set the tone among critics who have had little to offer as criticism since: "Royal has, with his food, rejuvenated a sleepy part of the city," and his success story offers inspiration to would-be chef-owners on surviving the restaurant startup phase, maximizing one's space, and creating different revenue streams.

"Marc-André Royal made waves by opening a pretty bare-bones restaurant on a limited budget," Lesley wrote in a Montréal Gazette piece listing him among the most influential restaurateurs of his generation, "and making back his money in six short months."

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Salt Lick is a TNKR Media Original Production.