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Georges Gagné gives a thumbs up to the Pâté chinois: “The meat is firm and tasty, with just the right amount of spice so it doesn’t overpower the dish. But the real trick is to make sure the corn isn’t too runny and the mashed potatoes are never too lumpy. Compliments to the chefs.”

Gagné isn’t a pro fine-dining critic. In fact, he’s sometimes hard-pressed to put this sort of meal on his table. But he knows and appreciates good grub when he gets it.

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A former landscaper and nurse’s aide in a hospital emergency ward, Gagné is one of nearly 100 people in need who’ve descended upon St. Michael’s Mission — on President Kennedy Ave behind Place des Arts — for a free festive lunch on Thursday.

The chefs to whom Gagné is sending out compliments may be of the Cordon Bleu variety to his gullet, but they are actually a group of Montreal firefighters from various departments. In addition to the Pâté chinois, the firefighters have also prepared chicken and vegetable soup, pasta in a marinara sauce and chocolate cupcakes.