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KANGIQLINIQ/RANKIN INLET
Eight eager students are sizzling through a camp cook program in Rankin Inlet. The 14-week course began this past October, funded by the Kivalliq Mine Training Society and delivered by Nunavut Arctic College.

Robert Angootealuk slices and dices an onion during the camp cook program in Rankin Inlet this past week. - Darrell Greer/NNSL photo

It's the second camp cook program offered since the college kitchen was renovated. Instructor Glenna Garramone said the program is designed to introduce students to new types of food and different techniques they may not have learned from preparing traditional food.

She said the course is also a good entry point for those who may prefer working in a community kitchen over being at a mining camp.

"It's an introduction to working in a professional kitchen," said Garramone.

"We cover sanitation, health, nutrition, and basic cooking skills such as chopping, knife skills and different cooking techniques."

Garramone said the students are helped to prepare their resumes, and the college acts as a liaison with possible employers.

She said the group will also tour the new healing centre this coming week.

"We try to establish links between people who want to work in this field and the industries where there's potential for jobs.

"The students really work well together as a team, which is a skill you have to acquire to live in the North," she said.

"It's a great group of students and I have a few who are really eager to learn, and that helps bring up the overall focus in the classroom."

Garramone said the college has hired Troy Rauhala to start revising the course curriculum this week.

She said it's really an exciting time to be involved with the college program.

"Troy taught in Arviat, so he's aware of the challenges the students face.

"The college is definitely moving in the right direction and working to make the curriculum more suitable."

Course student Joseph Kavik said he's always wanted to learn more about cooking and is enjoying the program.

He said it's been a lot different than he expected.

"You really learn a lot in a short period of time, so it's been good," said Kavik.

"I'm going to be a lot better at this when I leave here than when I started.

"I like making a great breakfast and the classes on nutrition are interesting.

"I'd recommend it to anyone interested in cooking."

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