In the Ōshū Region there are many smaller, unique sub-regions, much like individual countries. In each sub-region, there are fascinating cultural differences that make each place not only special, but also intriguing to explore and understand. In Collines Verdes, there are three things considered regional specialties that truly stand out: Their gardens, their music, and their food. One cannot think well, love well and sleep well if one does not dine well, and this philosophy permeates the breadbasket of Collines Verdes, the lush-gardened farmlands and picturesque villages of Région de la Rivière Argenté, or the Silver River.

One such village, more a small city, is the true heart of Collines Verdes' culinary industry:
Île d'Argent, the Island of silver. Nestled between two forks of the Silver River, the many-bridged city has a distinctly cosmopolitan style despite the seemingly rustic surroundings, with clean, modern buildings and an impressive network of well-maintained roads, as well as a tram system for public use. The most important location in the city, even more so than city hall, is L'arène du Chef. A tall, majestic building with stained glass windows in green and gold, the polished white marble of the structure almost glows in the warm farmland sun. It is here where one goes to learn the true magic of Collines Verdes' cuisine, as well as to challenge the Regional Champion of Silver River: Gaétan Fournier.

Known affectionately as the Chef of Marble to locals and Trainers alike, he strikes an imposing figure in his well loved and somewhat tattered chef's attire, his dark hair hidden by his lucky bandanna and his powerful arms on full display. He is a master chef, one of the greatest in Collines Verdes, and is also a master Pokemon Trainer. Specializing in the use of Pokemon as both kitchen helpers and combatants, he considers his Pokemon partners in the act of cooking as much as friends, and frequently has his kitchen going full tilt with the aid of his mixture of Fire, Ice and Grass types.

He seems like a rough and tumble sort at first glance, but truth be told he's actually wonderfully warm and inviting. He loves to meet would-be chefs and Trainers, and takes great joy in showing them the ropes in both aspects. Despite being a young man, only in his late twenties, he comes off as paternal and protective of his friends and guests, and views himself as a consummate professional in both aspects of his life. If he isn't found cooking, training or battling, he's usually found in town buying groceries and looking at the latest Trainer gear.

His line-up at this time consists of:

Little Lumière, his Scorcerer and assistant chef.
Glace, his Avalugg.
Hiver, his Froslass.
Sucreine, his Tasreena.
Jean-Luc, his Carnivine.
And Petite, his Maractus.

He has other Pokemon that enter his rotation on a regular basis, so one should come to test his might prepared for a variety; he and most other Regional champions don't stick to a single theme. The other thing one should be prepared for is his unorthodox Gym mechanic.

You don't just fight Fournier and his Pokemon, or just the Champion and his Trainers. No, you don't JUST fight in L'arène du Chef. You cook! Any challenger who comes to face him is expected to at least make an effort to pass a series of cooking and food-prep based challenges, because Gaétan strongly believes the road to a healthy, happy life is a proper knowledge of cuisine, and wants to make sure his challengers are walking that road as well as the road to Champion Trainer status.

Quotes:
"Dans la bataille! Dans la cuisine!"
"Oh, come now! Surely you can spice things up!"
"If you can't handle the heat, stay out of my kitchen!"
"A battle well fought, and a dish well prepared."
"As we like to say, "à votre santé", friend!"

Q&A below, if you'd like to either discuss his Training techniques or his cooking techniques, or if you just have questions.

Art by the totally awesome  FA20xx