For anyone who's ever complained that there isn't enough gravy on their poutine, may I call your attention to this next specimen: Poutine Soup ($7.50), on the current menu at Bampot House of Tea & Board Games.

Call it an abomination if you like, slam it as inauthentic, but best of luck trying to deny its deliciousness.

Admittedly, it doesn't really resemble poutine, but rather some kind of lovechild between fondue and French onion soup. The basic components and flavours are present in the form of roasted potatoes and cheese curds submersed in a bowl of deeply-hued vegetarian broth.

Now where does such a stretch of the imagination come from?

Scottish-Toronto transplant and Bampot proprietor, Mark Newell, tells it like this; while playing tour-guide for his visiting mother, he introduces her to the city's finest delicacies, (er, poutine), and, in what I'm imagining is an adorable thick accent, her first impression is that "it would be better as a soup".

So there you have it: poutine soup, a rendition of Canada's most renowned culinary export, as made by a vegetarian Scot on the recommendation of his mum.

Thanks to IBM for sponsoring this post. IBM Watson's cognitive system helps chefs create new recipes and helps businesses cook up new ideas.

Know of any Toronto restaurants doing interesting takes on poutine? Let us know in the comments.