by Doug Ashbury
Northern News Services

NNSL (Sep 19/97) - Aurora College's gleaming kitchen, equipped with spotless, shining stainless-steel appliances, racks of spices and kitchen utensils -- this is where cooking students turn up the heat.

Leading the college's pre-employment cooking class are instructors Colleen Proctor and Mark Plouffe.

The introduction to the classical kitchen course, in just its second year at Akaitcho Hall, has 22 students.

Last year, the eight-month course started with 18 students and ended with 12. Ten graduated.

Potential students are interviewed and must adhere to a strict attendance policy.

The course's mission is to train people for employment and get them excited and inspired about cooking, Proctor said.

Proctor and Plouffe are both journeyman cooks who have completed three year apprentice programs.

They both love to cook. It's a requirement, they said.

A high point of Proctor's career was cooking for the Queen and Prince Phillip during their visit to Yellowknife four years ago.

"Part of the reason you stay or get into this part of the hospitality industry is you like action," said Proctor, who has cooked for hockey stars and entertainers in her career.

This is Plouffe's first year in the kitchen as an instructor.

"The education environment is more rewarding and challenging," he said.

Students bring their life and work experience to the class," Proctor said.

There is a tight curriculum which includes not only cooking but also theory and laundry.

The toughest part of the course is the mathematics in the kitchen, Proctor said.

The most important ingredient though is the customer. "This is a customer service job and you have to remember who you're boss is," she said