Indigenous Chef Gerry Brandon joined Elliot Lake Secondary School teacher Mitch Landriault in the high school's bistro and kitchen to share his story and traditional teachings to the Hospitality and Tourism, Cooperative Education, and Specialist High Skills Major students.
Chef Brandon spent three days with the high school students teaching them how to prepare Indigenous meals.
Chef Brandon has successfully opened nine restaurants during his career. Most recently, he built the L'Autochtone Restaurant in downtown Haileybury which has proven to be a great success.
He has a vast knowledge of creating fusion dishes that use Indigenous, French, and English influences to bring food and people together.
“He spent three full days sharing his knowledge with us in the kitchen for a unique hands-on experience for our students,” teacher Landriault said. “With his guidance, students prepared and then tasted a variety of dishes including, Elotes, oven Bannock, frybread, venison tacos, rabbit risotto and a prawn dish all from scratch.”
The students will continue to use their newly acquired skills and knowledge as part of their program and beyond.