Dez Loreen
Northern News Services
Friday, March 9, 2007

YELLOWKNIFE - David Wolfman was in town last week giving some tasty advice and mouth-watering demonstrations of his art.

Wolfman was in town promoting the culinary arts and celebrating apprenticeship week with local chefs.

"As chefs, this is what we do," said Wolfman, who has a cooking show on APTN.

"We prepare something to share with others, at the table, on the Internet, in books or through oral traditions. It's all about sharing recipes"

The department of Education, Culture and Employment sponsored the event and brought Wolfman to the Arctic. Wolfman was an apprentice himself, having graduated from George Brown College in Toronto.

He arrived in town on Thursday and was busy talking with people for the four days he was here.

"I met with the people at the long-term care ward at the hospital," said Wolfman.

"I gave them a good culinary demonstration and talked with them for a bit."

After the hospital visit, he prepared for his cooking demonstration at Ingamo Hall on Friday night.

"I think we had nearly 150 people at Ingamo Hall for the demonstration," said Wolfman.

"Everyone had a good time."

On Saturday morning, Wolfman spent the day at Samuel Hearne, overseeing the Chefs in the Arctic cooking competition that had four local teams face off.

Wolfman said he spent time with the chefs to talk about the importance of the trade.

"This field is demanding, you need to have a passion for it," he said.

Wolfman said the hours can be tiring and the work can also be challenging.

"You have to be willing to work days, early mornings and nights," said Wolfman.

"And when everyone is done eating, you still have to clean up afterwards."

Wolfman said he is fortunate to be skilled in his trade and wants to encourage others who have the passion for cooking to get involved.

"I'm lucky to be gifted with the work I am doing," he said.

"People say they want to be like me when they grow up. Well I haven't really grown up yet."

Wolfman had some advice for those with dreams of being a famous cook.

"If you tell yourself you won't be happy until you reach that goal, you'll never make it," he said.

"You have to be happy with what you do all the time."

Wolfman said he remembers apprenticing and talking with former bosses about his job.

"'Why do you like this job, all we do is scream at you,'" he said, remembering a question someone asked him long ago.

"I told them I didn't have a problem with the screaming, it was his problem to deal with. I can only hear so much and I don't take it personally."

Wolfman said his experience in Inuvik was a welcoming one.

"People were thanking me for coming up. It's like everyone wanted to represent the community and make me feel welcome," said Wolfman.

"It's good to have that feeling in communities like this."