Meet the Team
Rebecca Fruchter
Throughout my education and early career, I was driven by an entrepreneurial spirit and a desire to do meaningful community work. From the time my children started solids, mealtimes became an important part of our family life: Some of our best conversations and most meaningful moments were shared around the table over homemade meals.
When my children were younger, our home was often the hub for playdates, snacks and meals. Later I became involved in shaping a nutrition culture at their preschool and helped to create a cookbook keepsake for the graduating kindergarten class. That experience inspired me to build something larger, rooted in food, family, community and giving back. From that desire, À La Carte was born.
Neal Caminsky
“When Rebecca envisioned a cookbook inspired by her passion for healthy living, I offered my design expertise to support the project. That first meeting set things in motion. What began as an idea quickly grew into a powerful fundraising initiative which brings people together through food, storytelling and community.”
Hanna Hajilou
“Food has always been my way of bringing people together, from family gatherings to my work in my cheese shop, café and catering company. Contributing to À La Carte is an honour: supporting the Montreal Children’s Hospital while sharing recipes which inspire joy, connection and memorable moments around the table.”
Riccardo Cellere
“My humble cooking journey has brought me a lot of joy and led me to get involved in this important project celebrating traditions and supporting the Montreal Children’s Hospital.
I hope that the photos in this book inspire you to cook with your family, learn something new, and create your own rituals that then get passed down and improved upon with time and love.”
Lynne Faubert
“As a parent, I’ve spent more hours in hospital waiting rooms than I ever expected to. When Rebecca asked if I’d translate À La Carte to support “le Children’s” and the many families who depend on it, it felt like a way to make my work matter differently. Sometimes we recognize the moment to give back when it finds us.”
Andrea McCallum
“All through my career as a graphic designer, I have sought out ways of giving back. When Rebecca asked me to fill in for Carolina, my response was an immediate yes. I am honoured to be a part of this team and to work on this meaningful project, born out of a love of family and a passion for food.”
Ana Garza-Robillard
“My own connection to the Montreal Children’s Hospital began when my daughter Sophia was 18 months old, during a series of stressful visits to the emergency room. She eventually received a diagnosis of virus-induced asthma and, for several years, was followed by the asthma clinic. Through every moment, the care, compassion and expertise we received at the hospital helped carry us through. Sophia outgrew the condition by the age of seven, but our gratitude for the hospital has never faded.”
