With the end of the school year the Mamaqtuq Nanook Cooking Club celebrated the successful completion of its fifth year.
photo courtesy Mathew Knickelbein
The cooking club, located at Nanook School in Apex, meets most Fridays to cook up a storm, while learning all the skills needed to make good, nutritious food.
But after school starts next September, and Mamaqtuq has had a few weeks to settle into the kitchen, the cooks will have something extra special to celebrate: a cookbook that’s all about them.
Niam! Cooking with Kids, inspired by the Mamaqtuq Nanook Cooking Club and written by Kerry McCluskey, is scheduled to be published by Inhabit Media in November.
“From simple smoothies to jerk chicken to pizza from scratch, there is something in this book for all taste buds and skill sets. All the ingredients are readily available in Nunavut communities, and all the recipes can be made with country food, so kids both north and south can learn how to create the perfect palaugo (a delightful hybrid of pogos and palaugaaq, traditional Inuit bannock) or make a mean meatball,” reads the blurb in Inhabit’s fall catalogue.
McCluskey leads Mamaqtuq, with the help of Kootoo Alainga, Jenn Royal, and Nanook School and Apex District Education Authority staff.
McCluskey did confirm Mamaqtuq will be back for another year.
photo courtesy Inhabit Media