News Releases

January 27, 2009

Celebrity Chef Rob Feenie - NAIT’s first Hokanson Chef in Residence

January 28, 2009 – NAIT is kicking off its Hokanson Chef in Residence program with celebrity Chef Rob Feenie.
Chef Feenie, who has hosted a show on the Food Network, authored three cookbooks, beat Iron Chef Masaharu Morimoto, and is currently food concept architect for Cactus Restaurants, will be coming to NAIT to share his expertise with students.

“Mentoring is an integral aspect of chefs training and I am thrilled to be NAIT’s first Chef in Residence,” says Chef Feenie.  “At Cactus Club, we focus on education and are one of the largest apprentice employers for the nationally recognized culinary chef Red Seal certification program.”

 “I am excited to meet the man who beat Morimoto,” says Rob Giroux, a second year Culinary Arts student. “We have great instructors and to bring in someone of Chef Feenie’s stature is a bonus.”

NAIT’s Chef in Residence program is being made possible thanks to a $1-million donation by John and Susan Hokanson. The $1 million is going into an endowment fund. The interest earned each year will be used to fund a variety of opportunities for students to learn from some of the best chefs in the world.

“Chef Feenie is a great way to kick off the program. He is one of Canada’s most acclaimed chefs,” says Perry Michetti, NAIT’s Associate Dean of the School of Hospitality and Culinary Arts. “Our goal through the Hokanson Chef in Residence program is to expose our students to innovative cooking techniques and diverse culinary trends and styles.” 
This isn’t the first investment the Hokansons have made in NAIT. In 2003, they gave $1-million which was the impetus for a $3.25 million campaign to create the Hokanson Centre for Culinary Arts, home to NAIT’s School of Hospitality and Culinary Arts.  
“The Hokanson Centre for Culinary Arts has allowed us to elevate our Culinary Arts program to new heights; the addition of the Hokanson Chef in Residence program will take us to our highest level yet,” says Michetti. “We want NAIT to be recognized around the world as one of the top culinary schools.”

Chef Feenie will be NAIT’s Hokanson Chef in Residence from February 11 to February 13, 2009. As part of his visit he will be working with the students to prepare a three course luncheon featuring his recipes. (Scallop carpaccio, Pan-seared salmon with green pea risotto and red wine sauce) It is being called, “Feast with Feenie.” 

NAIT is one of the preeminent institutes of technology in Canada, providing real-world education in business, advanced technologies and skilled trades to more than 84,000 learners worldwide. Known for student success, NAIT also engages with business and industry in applied research and innovation and provides corporate training around the world.

For more information, please contact:

Rayne Kuntz
NAIT Media Relations Specialist
Department of Corporate Communications
P 780.471.8450  C 780.916.8307  E raynek@nait.ca