Edge Factor has teamed up with Hamilton Wentworth Catholic District School Board (HWCDSB) to collaborate with the renowned, award-winning Chef David Wolfman. Together, we’ve cooked up something special, and created five amazing features to ignite students' passion for culinary arts and guide them towards a successful career in the field. Get ready for a mouthwatering journey as Edge Factor and Chef David Wolfman serve up a delectable blend of inspiration and knowledge for aspiring chefs.
A classically trained Chef, David Wolfman has been a Culinary Arts Professor at George Brown College of Applied Arts and Technology in Toronto for over 20 years. He is also the Executive Producer and Host of the popular Cooking with the Wolfman™ television program. This show features David’s signature “Indigenous Fusion: Traditional Foods with a Modern Twist” and airs on First Nations Experience (FNX) and NativeFlix in the US. The show aired on Aboriginal Peoples Television Network (APTN) in Canada for 18 years.
It All Begins With a Great Story
Using the power of cinematic storytelling, Edge Factor takes learners on a career journey from "I have no idea what I want to do with my life!" all the way to, “I have browsed the opportunities, made informed decisions, and launched a local training and career pathway.”
Edge Factor is a family-friendly career exploration platform, where students, parents, and job-seekers become inspired to launch their own training and career pathways. It features real life stories of people pushing back the edge of what’s possible and using their minds, hands, and technology to build the future and impact lives.
Chef David Wolfman, is a member of the Xaxli’p First Nation and is an internationally recognized expert in wild game and traditional Indigenous cuisine. He and his wife, Marlene Finn, Métis, an education consultant specializing in Indigenous program development and evaluation have authored a cookbook. Covering everything from the origin of bannock to the finer points of filleting a fish, Cooking with the Wolfman is suited for readers of all skill levels, with step-by-step instructions and charts that cover the fundamentals of cooking.
It includes over 100 recipes, and color photographs to inspire readers of diverse backgrounds to bring more Indigenous foods into their kitchens.
Inspiration Impacts Career Exploration
In partnership with HWCDSB, and Chef David Wolfman, the Edge Factor film crew went behind closed doors at St. Thomas More Catholic Secondary School, to film a Career Profile, Skilled Responders, Soft Skills on the Job and What’s In Your Toolbelt videos.
The Career Profile videos help students and job seekers explore what a "day in the life" looks like in diverse careers while highlighting typical responsibilities, tools, and skills used on the job. Award winning Chef David Wolfman, shares how he teaches Indigenous fusion at George Brown College, taking traditionally Indigenous foods and preparing them in a modern way.
“My career path has been fantastic. I started off on a fast food counter. I was fortunate to get a job in a private club which gave me a strong foundation.” Chef David Wolfman shares the importance of lifelong learning as welll. “ I became an apprentice and went to college, but in culinary arts I am always learning.”
Edge Factor's Skilled Responders series features real life people, working in various industries, sharing what inspired them to launch their training and career pathways. This series inspires students to explore careers as they experience the enthusiasm and passion industry leaders have for their careers. Chef Wolfman shares how he discovered his passion for culinary arts as an interest in food and the satisfaction he gains from passing on his knowledge.
“I think I have the best job in the world. I get to give people tools, they pick these tools up and they change their lives.” - Chef David Wolfman
The Soft Skills on the Job series features industry professionals, like Chef Wolfman sharing insights on important soft skills they use in their career and industry. Chef David Wolfam talks about how leadership skills are important in the kitchen and good leadership requires a whole lot of other skills like good communication, empathy, supporting your team, and ensuring everyone is working together to achieve the same goal.
“To be a successful chef in the industry, communication is key. You need to communicate with your customers, crew, and other chefs. It’s good to ask questions to make sure it’s right, don’t make assumptions, communicate and ask questions.”
What’s in Your Toolbelt is a series geared at students in Grades 3 -4 who discover that you need to use the right tools for the right job! Real life people answer the question, "What's in your toolbelt?" as they show-and-tell the different types of tools, gear, or equipment they use on the job. Chef Wolfman shares the tools in his bag, including knives, a knife sharpener, a steel honer, peeler and more.
As students dive into the captivating world of culinary arts through Edge Factor's career media and learning tools featuring Chef David Wolfman, their passion and curiosity are set to soar. The mesmerizing experience of watching Chef Wolfman in the kitchen, showcasing his expertise and sharing his journey, will undoubtedly leave a lasting impression. With each video, students will be inspired to don their chef hats, experiment with flavors, and explore the vast possibilities of a career in the culinary arts. Edge Factor and our partners have truly created a recipe for success, serving up a delightful blend of entertainment, education, and inspiration.
Learn More About Edge Factor
Edge Factor unites efforts in a community through our e-learning platform. We have created thousands of videos, interactive activities, and lesson plans that focus on career exploration. K-12 and Postsecondary schools, companies, and organizations partner with Edge Factor to help tackle workforce development regionally and nationally.
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