#FOOD: LUCIE TO HOST CHARITY LUNCHEON WITH EGALE ON NATIONAL COMING OUT DAY

MICHELIN recommended fine dining French restaurant Lucie is proud to host it’s inaugural charity luncheon in partnership with Egale, Canada’s leading 2SLGBTQI human rights organization to celebrate National Coming Out Day on October 10, 2024.

Egale, the beneficiary for this special luncheon, has a mission to create a world where all 2SLGBTQI individuals can live freely and authentically, without fear of discrimination or violence. With anti-2SLGBTQI discourse on the rise, it is more crucial than ever to create safe and welcoming environments for those who are coming out. Through its comprehensive approach, Egale has become a vital resource for advocacy, education, and support within Canada and beyond. 

At Lucie, the internal culture has always fostered an open and diverse environment with both leaders helming both front and back of house, being proud members of the 2SLGBTQI community. 

Lucie’s general manager Yoann Beaubouchez believes his venture into the fine dining world as a member of the 2SLGBTQI community taught him  resilience, strength, and self-discovery. Starting out in France, he faced a challenging  environment, working in an industry dominated by straight men where acceptance was hard to come by. The constant judgment and bullying could have broken many, but instead, it fueled his determination. 

“I worked harder, not only to prove my worth but to show that being different didn’t make me less valuable. My skills and work ethic eventually spoke for themselves. Taking control of my destiny, I left France to explore the world, seeking a place where I could truly thrive,” says Yoann Beaubouchez, General Manager at Lucie. 

“Canada became that place, and crossing paths with Yannick Bigourdan changed everything. His open-mindedness and trust gave me the chance to take on a leadership role as the general manager at Lucie. For the first time, I could excel by being my authentic self, achieving remarkable success. Now, I use my voice to inspire younger generations, sharing the message that believing in yourself and embracing your uniqueness can turn those very qualities into the strongest asset in life. In a world that can make people feel ashamed for being different, my story stands as a testament to the power of self-acceptance and determination in making dreams come true.”

(pictured left to right: Yoann Beaubouchez, Arnaud Bloquel)

Like Beaubouchez, Executive chef at Lucie, Arnaud Bloquel faced similar discrimination and hardships in the fine dining world. 

“In the world of gastronomy, the kitchen is a place where the flames of passion and creativity intertwine. But for some, those flames also conceal deeper truths. It was a space where I had to hide a part of myself: my homosexuality. In my early days, the work was intense, driven by the sound of knives and pans. We focused on the plate, but behind it all, another battle raged: the fear of being judged, of being different in a world that could sometimes be harsh and intolerant,” says Executive chef at Lucie, Arnaud Bloquel.

Conversations among colleagues were often laced with questionable jokes, and Bloquel confesses he would  laugh along, hoping to stay under the radar. 

“There were moments when the loneliness weighed heavier than the long hours in the kitchen. At the end of service, when everyone would go out, sharing stories about their love lives, I stayed behind, not daring to reveal that I was living a different reality. I often wondered how long I could keep going like this, torn between the heat of the kitchen and the fire burning within me, the fire of my truth. Then one day, I decided to stop hiding. It was a difficult but liberating moment. Coming out wasn’t easy. The fear of rejection was very real, but I knew I could no longer hide behind the stove without being true to myself. The first time I spoke was to my mother because I needed her support, and I could no longer lie to her or to myself. Then came the time to tell the rest of my family, who supported me. That moment was a turning point. Gradually, I found the strength to speak up. The journey wasn’t without its challenges, but the kitchen became a place where I could be authentic, where my dishes and I were finally in harmony. Today, I’m proud of who I am. In the kitchen, as in life, there is no perfect recipe, but there is one truth: to accept oneself and live freely. Coming out was the beginning of a new freedom, both personally and professionally. This is a story that highlights the challenges, but also the liberation and acceptance that come after difficult moments,” says Bloquel.  

Egale’s annual Coming Out Together campaign is about encouraging adults to ‘come out’ as supportive, affirming and safe people in the lives of 2SLGBTQI youth. Through this campaign, Egale calls on everyone to do three simple tasks: Pledge, Attend, and Learn. 

Pledge to be an affirming adult for 2SLGBTQI youth: participants who take the pledge receive an automated email with a checklist of tangible actions including links to resources, social shareables, the affirming adults webinar invite and more.

Attend a free webinar on affirming adults for 2SLGBTQI youth: Egale offers a free, interactive webinar which explores the vital role that all adults can take up in promoting environments where 2SLGBTQI youth can thrive. The webinar considers key characteristics of what being affirming means and provides practical strategies and support resources. Participants will also have an opportunity to exchange promising tips and tools with one another. Those interested will be able to register HERE when this year’s link goes live.

Learn how to navigate the coming out journey with resources: Coming out is often a task that requires an immense amount of bravery, vulnerability, and honesty. Using Egale’s resources for both adults and youth when navigating the coming out journey can be a helpful tool. 

“Egale Canada is deeply grateful to the leadership at Lucie for promoting inclusion this National Coming Out Day and for supporting our continued work to fight for 2SLGBTQI rights while combatting discrimination,” says executive director of Egale Canada, Helen Kennedy.  

Donations to Egale go towards their ongoing research, education, awareness and legal advocacy initiatives to help create a world without homophobia, transphobia, biphobia and all other forms of oppression so that everyone can achieve their full potential, free from hatred and bias. 

Co-hosted by restaurateur Yannick Bigourdan, owner of Lucie and entrepreneur Chad Rogers, partner at Crestview Strategy, this noteworthy luncheon marks a cultural shift in the right direction. 

Co-host Yannick Bigourdan says, “This special event is a big opportunity for the entire team at Lucie and myself to support chef Arnaud and our general manager Yoann in their desire to share their stories. Both are leaders in the fine dining industry while belonging to the LGBTQ community, which can be difficult.” 

Bigourdan’s co-host, Chad Rogers, is a leading partner of Crestview Strategy, a public affairs agency. Named one of the ‘Top 100 Lobbyists’ in Canada by The Hill Times Magazine, Rogers is a sought-after media commentator, a recipient of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal for public service and an Honourary Consul of the Republic of Kosovo in Canada. A member of the community himself, Rogers often lobbies for 2SLGBTQI issues. 

To support and celebrate National Coming Out Day, donations can be made to Egale HERE with the option to do so in memory of a loved one. Egale welcomes all to host third-party fundraisers, buy from the Egale Marketplace or even bequeath a gift.