1001 Fondues Celebrated at the National Assembly for Its 40th Anniversary
1001 Fondues at the National Assembly — this end of the year marks an exceptional moment for 1001 Fondues. On November 7, 2025, the National Assembly of Quebec proudly highlighted our 40th anniversary with an official declaration during a parliamentary session. Mario Asselin, MNA for Vanier–Les Rivières, addressed the Quebec Parliament to shine a light on our journey, our passion for fondue and entrepreneurship, and our deep roots in the culinary — and political — history of Quebec City.
A Story Rooted in a Legendary Place
This solemn gesture moves us deeply. Because behind 1001 Fondues lies a founding story that begins in a mythical place: the restaurant Le Chalet Suisse, later known as Au Café Suisse, located on Sainte‑Anne Street in Old Quebec, the historic district of Quebec City. This restaurant was known not only for its legendary Swiss fondue — it was also a gathering place for the artistic and political elite, frequented by notable figures such as René Lévesque, Jacques Parizeau, Jean‑Claude Rivest, Marc‑André Bédard, Stéphane Bédard, Francis Cabrel, Chrystine Brouillet, and many others.
In his book La tribune de la presse à Québec depuis 1960, historian Jocelyn Saint‑Pierre describes Le Chalet Suisse as an emblematic venue that pulsed to the rhythm of parliamentary evenings. MNAs, journalists, and senior officials gathered there after long sessions at the Assembly, sometimes late into the night. René Lévesque himself recalled in his memoirs the “moulins à mémérages” — the endless gossip mills — that spun between Grande Allée and Le Chalet Suisse. He nostalgically described the “flavourful” moments shared in this iconic place — whose walls, if they could talk, would tell a thousand and one stories.
Until the 1980s, Le Chalet Suisse was, for the parliamentary circle, a true crossroads of confidences, rumours, scoops, lively discussions, passionate debates… and of course, shared fondue.
Gisèle Gallichan, a young journalist at the time, remembers spending a good portion of her salary there. She would meet her colleagues at Le Chalet Suisse after finishing her next‑day news bulletin, taking advantage of the fact that it was one of the few restaurants still open late in Old Quebec. Its proximity to the courthouse and the Château Frontenac — where many MNAs stayed — made it a natural meeting point.
Jean Royer, another witness of that era, also recounts in Saint‑Pierre’s book that he regularly ran into a third of the Cabinet there. He even remembers a heated exchange between a minister and a journalist — an episode that, today, would undoubtedly have gone viral on social media. The consensus was clear: the workday was over, and whatever happened around the fondue pot at Le Chalet Suisse was meant to stay there…
The Flame Still Burns
The golden years of Le Chalet Suisse now belong to the past, but the founding flame still burns. That original passion continues to guide our mission: to showcase Quebec‑made cheese fondues while celebrating the authentic, artisanal signature of our partners. For us, eating local is also a political act — one that supports the local economy.
Today, our fondues are distributed across Canada, both in retail and in the Hotel, Restaurant and Institutional (HRI) sector. We are proud to be the only company in the country offering fresh, ready‑to‑cook fondues that are lactose‑free, free of additives and modified dairy ingredients, and made from 100% Canadian milk.
Our approach is built on innovative, local collaborations with passionate artisans — cheesemakers, microbreweries, vineyards, distilleries — to create unique, gourmet fondues that are unmistakably local.
During his official declaration at the National Assembly, Mr. Asselin said he was “very pleased to salute innovative entrepreneurship.” These words hold immense value for us. They resonate as a meaningful recognition of our commitment to “evolving” fondue by weaving together Swiss tradition and Quebec creativity.
1001 Fondues: Proud Heirs to an Exceptional Legacy
At 1001 Fondues, we proudly carry an extraordinary heritage: that of Le Chalet Suisse, an iconic Old Quebec restaurant whose renowned Swiss fondue left a lasting impression… and laid the foundations of our family business.
Forty years later, we carry this tradition forward with passion, celebrating local cheeses and the convivial art of fondue. Through our creations, we honour the joy of gathering around a steaming fondue pot — in a spirit of sharing, warmth, and comfort.
Like the restaurant Le Chalet Suisse of the past, we hope our fondues will continue to bring people together over good meals, great conversations, and unforgettable memories. If René Lévesque and his contemporaries had known that their favourite fondue spot would one day become a symbol of “eating local,” they would no doubt have raised a glass around the fondue pot. And we like to believe they would have.
We extend our warmest thanks to Mr. Mario Asselin and the National Assembly for their kind words, which honour not only the richness of our heritage but also our spirit of innovation. This gesture of recognition inspires us to continue an essential mission: to showcase Quebec’s craftsmanship and the unifying essence of fondue, while remaining true to our roots.