Renowned Chef David Wolfman visits Sagamok Anishnawbek
By Leslie Knibbs
SAGAMOK ANISHNAWBEK—Celebrated Chef David Wolfman, author, and host of “Cooking with the Wolfman” television show, visited Sagamok Anishnawbek on Saturday, March 24 to deliver a presentation and share a cooking demonstration at Enji Wii Ji Gaabwitaadaying Agaamik [the New Community Centre] with community members who participated in the ‘Healthy Lifestyles Challenge.’
Saturday’s event was the final event of the Lifestyles Challenge. Awards were presented to the top three participants in five categories including children, youth, adults and seniors. The overall point winner was Nelson Toulouse in the adult male category. Toulouse accumulated 6,118 points with 553 minutes of physical exercise a week or 79 minutes per day. Toulouse credits walking his ‘best friend’, a malamute dog named “the Dude”, for helping him reach his goal. First place in the senior’s category went to Jeanne McLeod who accumulated 3,013 points.
More than 100 community members signed up for the challenge in January this year.
Laura McMeekin-Clarke, Sagamok’s Physical Wellness worker told those attending, “Today is a celebration of the dedication of community members who have worked really hard over the last nine weeks making changes in their lifestyles to live healthier lives.”
Wolfman, well-known for his original method of cooking he calls “Indigenous fusion” delighted those attending with original cooking demonstrations as well revealing flavourful combinations of spices from around the world.
Following an opening prayer in both English and Ojibway from Elder Raymond Owl, McMeekin-Clarke congratulated all those who participated in the Challenge and acknowledged the staff involved in the organizing.
Wolfman’s lively and engaging presentation involved sharing his original recipes with everyone by taking those attending through a step-by-step show of preparing each dish. Members of the audience were invited to sample on the various dishes prepared, as well as his original spice mixtures.
The community center quickly became an aromatic emporium when tangy exotic and familiar aromas filled the room. Flavourful fragrances of original spice combinations such as Big Buffalo Spice Mix (a red meat rub), Swimming with the Fishes (a fish rub), and Sexy Chicken Spice (poultry rub) were undeniably wetting the appetites of all attending.
The first 50 families to register were given copies of Wolfman’s current book Cooking with the Wolfman-Indigenous Fusion. Winners of door prizes were announced by McMeekin-Clarke. After the presentations, Wolfman graciously signed copies of his book and posed for photos with many individuals.
A barbeque prepared by Chef Wolfman followed, much to the delight those attending. According to McMeekin-Clarke, the Healthy Lifestyles Fitness Challenge will be an annual event in January each year.
To find out more about Chef Wolfman’s recipes, health tips and upcoming events visit his website.
Other winners of the Healthy Lifestyle Challenge include:
Children Category:
Nyssa Solomon – First Place
Harlan Pattenden – Second Place
Gavin Eshkakogan – Third Place
Youth Category:
Acadia Solomon – First Place
Elijah Toulouse – Second Place
Kalah Rayne Pottier – Third Place
Adult Male Category:
Nelson Toulouse – First Place
Jason Solomon – Second Place
Adult Female Category:
Tracey Stoneypoint – First Place
Kristen Wolfear – Second Place
Janice Stoneypoint – Third Place
Senior Category:
Jeanne McLeod – First Place
Gail Francis – Second Place
Pauline Toulouse – Third Place