The beginning of a culinary dream
Edouard Albert Archer – now known as Chef Archer – found his passion for cooking at a very young age. Born into a family with Haitian, French, and Cuban roots, he grew up alongside his six siblings under the protective wing of an extraordinary grandmother. Known affectionately as Roussette, she was not just an accomplished cook but a true culinary artist, owning her own restaurant where flavour was king.
"Every dish I prepare must remind me of my grandmother, or I'm not satisfied," Chef Archer tells us during our meeting. By watching her cook with enthusiasm, tasting every ingredient with care, and meticulously choosing her products at the market, he developed a profound appreciation for cooking.
Back then, while his family showered him with dishes from all over the world, it was a poster from the Quebec Institute of Tourism and Hospitality, seen in a subway car, that sparked his desire to enroll in an advanced professional culinary program. "A spur-of-the-moment decision," admits Chef Archer. At the time, he had just arrived in Quebec, having survived the devastating 2010 earthquake in Haiti. At 18 years old, he took on various odd jobs: dance teacher, photographer, and later, in 2014, he made his debut as a cook in esteemed Montreal restaurants such as Daniel Vézina's Laurie Raphaël, Le Balmoral, Industria Pizzeria, and Le Serpent. Gradually, he carved out a path as a visionary entrepreneur, leading him to establish Traiteur Archer in 2014.
Chef Archer is convinced: "To be a good chef, it's not enough to know how to cook; you must have the love and desire to make people happy." This philosophy is at the heart of his eclectic and international project, which, for nearly 10 years, has been dedicated to creating unique, turnkey events for clients from all walks of life.
Today, he and his team specialize in event planning and fusion cuisine, orchestrating everything from decorations to entertainment, including photography packages and, of course, sumptuous feasts, from buffets to table service. Traiteur Archer stands out with vibrant and colourful performances and the creation of unique menus infused with the cultural heritage of the bride and groom or the guests.
But it’s not just the cuisine that blends: “99% of the time, my wife and I end up dancing with the guests,” Chef Archer says with a sly grin. He doesn’t just aim to take the guests' taste buds on a journey; he aspires to transport them to the homelands of the bride and groom, often getting them to dance to the rhythms of salsa, bachata, merengue, or konpa. Nicknamed "the dancing chef," he shares his art and passion on his own Instagram page as well as on the Traiteur Archer Facebook page, providing a daily dose of joy to his followers.
Masterclass: From Pipette to Plate
On May 30th, Chef Archer, known for his vibrant uniform and radiant smile, joined forces with Maison Orphée to host a Masterclass dedicated to plating and presentation. This session aimed to introduce the audience to the new Accent Sauce collection, demonstrating creative techniques using the pipettes from the bottles.
With enthusiasm, Chef Archer shared his thoughts:
"Fusion cuisine works exceptionally well with the Accent Sauce collection because they allow us to travel. With Ibiza Paprika, Jakarta Masala, Marrakesh Lemon, and Orleans Garlic, we can introduce exotic flavors to those who haven't experienced them yet."
"These sauces are game-changers," he declared with conviction. As a chef, meticulous attention is needed for everything related to plating, sauces, or any elements that enhance a dish. With these four ready-to-use sauces, it's much easier to pick the perfect one for any dish. "This makes the process so much simpler," he stressed, noting that these products are essential tools that are hard to find elsewhere. "Their textures, consistencies, and colours are simply perfect," he added before concluding, "It's love at first bite," as his own slogan says. He also mentioned his long-standing relationship with Maison Orphée products, especially their cold-pressed virgin olive oil.
Q&A with Chef Archer
During the Masterclass, our team took the opportunity to sit down with Chef Archer for a Q&A session dedicated to fans of Maison Orphée products.
1. What would you suggest to a beginner who wants to improve their plating?
If you're inviting friends over, prepare two to three plates of different colours. It instantly gives a "wow" effect. Then, always do your mise en place (prep work) before you start cooking. And most importantly, think about plating the sauce before, after, and even during the preparation, depending on what you're putting in the dish.
Oh, and a golden rule: never remove anything you've already placed. Once it's on the plate, it's sacred!
2. And for someone using the Accent Sauce collection for the first time?
Keep them refrigerated after opening, and don’t be afraid to mix them! Use two sauces in the same dish, or even all four. Imagine a beautiful paella with little dots of sauce here and there—it’s not only visually appealing but also enhances the flavour.
3. Do you have any recipe ideas that pair well with these sauces?
With the Ibiza Paprika Accent Sauce, I would suggest a sesame and butter tuna tataki, accompanied by a kale salad garnished with edible flowers and fleur de sel. Alternatively, a good Portuguese chicken would work well too.
For the Orleans Garlic Accent Sauce, I’d recommend preparing a burrata salad with Maison Orphée virgin olive oil and pistachios.
As for the Marrakesh Lemon Accent Sauce, I’d prepare a charcoal-grilled salmon with maple syrup, smoked paprika, and Espelette pepper, served with a finely sliced fennel salad, parsley, and bulgur. Finally, I’d serve chicken and vegetable skewers on a bed of hummus with thyme oil and Jakarta Masala Accent Sauce.
Conclusion
In the grand theater of the kitchen, Chef Archer takes on his role like a friend eager to share his secrets. The four varieties of the Accent Sauce collection, the chef’s invaluable allies, will help you add a special touch to your recipes. With a dash of creativity and Chef Archer's expert tips, you can delight your loved ones with flavours from around the world. Let your culinary imagination soar and enjoy! No doubt, Roussette would be deeply moved to see her grandson turn her precious teachings into such a thriving and inspiring career.
To learn more about the Accent Sauce collection and transform your meals into true culinary masterpieces, visit our online store today!