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Paul Desbaillets

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Paul Desbaillets
EducationConcordia University (BFA)
Occupations
  • Restaurateur
  • Entrepreneur
  • Sports Media Personality

Paul Desbaillets is a Canadian entrepreneur, restaurateur, syndicator, and media personality. He is considered an important figure in the development of some of the most popular establishments in Montréal and is also well known in the Canadian professional football media scene.

Biography

Early life

Desbaillets is the grandson of French Canadian radio and television personality Jacques DesBaillets. He got his start in the restaurateur business when he was 18 years old as a busboy.[1]

Career

As a co-founder and partner in the Burgundy Lion Group, Desbaillets is behind some of the most popular establishments in Montréal. His first venture, Burgundy Lion, opened in 2008 and redefined the public perception of what a pub in Montréal could be. It became known for its simple but impressive wine and cocktail list and a level of service that had not yet been seen in Montréal's pub culture. The Lion was able to maintain the balance or exceptional food and service while remaining a pub at its core.[2] In 2010, Burgundy Lion Group expanded and opened the first Quebec inspired Fish n’ Chips shop in the world, the now renowned Brit & Chips. They have since added Pub Bishop & Bagg, Wolf & Workman gastropub, and RBHC Catering to their business portfolio.[1] Desbaillets is also a member of the Nouvelle Association des Bars du Québec.[3][4]

Desbaillets is the host and creator of the 1st Half Podcast, a podcast dedicated to all aspects of the game of football (soccer). During the COVID-19 pandemic, he was the host of the official MLS CF Montréal podcast and also produced a few 'Football & Food' shorts for the American group ONE37, Gary Vaynerchuk's digital media company. Recently, he became the football culture editor of Cult MTL, an arts, culture, and news website and print publication based in Montréal.[5]

Philanthropy

The year after the football-screening Burgundy Lion opened, Desbaillets started the GOAL Tournament, now known as Goal MTL. Goal MTL is a charity football tournament organized yearly that features a who’s who of Montreal’s bar, restaurant, and hospitality scene. Since its beginnings in 2010, the football tournament has raised more than $350,000 for local charities that run youth-oriented programs.[1][6]

Purpose-driven and looking to give back to his community, Desbaillets then founded the GOAL Initiatives Foundation in 2019, a national Canada Revenue Agency charity making a difference through cultural development, mental health & wellness, and youth sports programming.[7] GOAL Initiatives promotes mental health and wellness through play, and believes that no matter your age, race, gender, or sexual orientation you should have access to a safe space to play sports.[8] GOAL Initiatives have created and hosted many events and experiences with the purpose of giving back to communities in need by funding youth sports and equipping children and teens with the tools they need to succeed both on and off the field.

In 2012, Desbaillets was the recipient of a Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal.[9] The Canadian medal, which is to honour significant contributions and achievements by Canadians, was awarded to 60,000 citizens and permanent residents of Canada who made a significant contribution to their fellow countrymen, their community, or to Canada over the previous sixty years.

Desbaillets has also consulted on football projects in the past with Labatt Brewing Company, Carlsberg, Molson, Ricardo Cavolo, Secret Walls, MURAL Festival, and Paris Saint-Germain F.C.[10]

References

  1. ^ a b c "Burgundy Lion restaurateur gives back in a big way". Global News. Retrieved September 10, 2022.
  2. ^ "Burgundy Lion: drink well, the English way". Tastet. Retrieved September 10, 2022.
  3. ^ "Quebec threatens to close bars, nightclubs that don't comply with COVID-19 rules". CBC. Retrieved September 10, 2022.
  4. ^ "'It's time': Montreal bar, restaurant owners want to sell alcohol past midnight". CityNews. Retrieved September 10, 2022.
  5. ^ "Montreal soccer culture festival GOAL MTL celebrates the beautiful game on Sunday". Cult MTL. August 5, 2022. Retrieved September 10, 2022.
  6. ^ "Corporate futsal tournament aims to give back to communities near and far". Concordia University. Retrieved September 10, 2022.
  7. ^ "Burgundy Lion, a Hub for Montreal's Soccer Devotees, Gears Up for the Euro 2020 Final". Eater Montreal. July 9, 2021. Retrieved September 10, 2022.
  8. ^ "GOAL Mtl. friendly soccer festival is back at Percival Molson Stadium Aug. 7". The Suburban. Retrieved September 10, 2022.
  9. ^ "Queen Elizabeth II's Diamond Jubilee Medal (2012)". The Governor General of Canada. Retrieved September 10, 2022.
  10. ^ "Montreal St Laurent Boulevard MURAL Festival and the GOAL Initiatives Foundation". Montreal Times. November 2020. Retrieved September 10, 2022.
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