Master Artisan Pizzaiolo Cédric Toulec, based in Halifax, says he was shocked when he discovered that he had been named one of the 100 best pizza leaders in the world.
Toullec, who is the chief of Lou Pécou Pizzeria in Northern Halifax, says he thought he was scammed at the start.
“I told my team that we had received the largest scam,” he said.
“For us, pretending to have access to this type (of recognition), it is far beyond the reasonable.”
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Originally from Marseille, in France, Toullec says that when the restaurant opened its doors three years ago, it wanted to use local ingredients and deliver a fresh and authentic pizza.
The best chief chiefs are an international culinary ranking that works in the same way as the Michelin guide.
The owners and the staff never know that their restaurant is tried.
“I was happy before it happened, I didn’t need it to be happy or alive. I was proud of what I was doing, I was proud of my team, I was proud of Halifax,” he said. “It’s just a little cherry on the cake. That I like.”
Despite the new international recognition, he underlines the importance of supporting local restaurants and cafes.
“Small restaurants are really the soul and the guardian and the heir of what Nova Scotia has to give, the best of what he has to offer,” said Toullec.
“There are so many places that deserve attention, deserve the same recognition.”
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