Ernest's

About Ernest Hokanson

With the opening of The Hokanson Centre for Culinary Arts in 2005, the NAIT dining room was renamed Ernest’s, in honour of John Hokanson’s father, Ernest Hokanson.

Ernest Hokanson was born in 1920 in Edmonton to Swedish immigrants. He quit school in grade 7 at age 15 and got a job washing pots at the Hotel Macdonald, which soon launched his lifelong passion for food.

After years with the hotel chain, a military career brought Ernest overseas during World War II, where he met his war bride.

Upon returning to Canada, Ernest became a restaurant owner in Peace River, where he eventually got into oilfield catering. After a number of successful ventures he sold his last – HG Caterers – to his partner in 1980 and retired. He passed away in 2001.
"Feeding people was how he showed his love."
–John Hokanson on his father, Ernest

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Contact Ernest's

Ernest's Dining Room
11762 - 106 Street
Edmonton, AB T5G 2R1
Phone: 780.471.8676
Email: ernests@nait.ca

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Ernest's Menu