As a chef, Hicheme Ouerghi prides himself on cooking from scratch and serving his guests a wide variety of dishes.

That can be a challenge when youSA国际影视传媒檙e on an island north of the Arctic Circle.

But after less than two years as a cook and hotel manager at UlukhaktokSA国际影视传媒檚 Arctic Char Inn, Ouerghi has made a name for himself, attracting job offers from other communities across the territory.

SA国际影视传媒淚 do my cooking with love,SA国际影视传媒� he says. SA国际影视传媒淚f I wonSA国际影视传媒檛 eat it, I wonSA国际影视传媒檛 serve it to anyone.SA国际影视传媒�

The 28 year-old chefSA国际影视传媒檚 journey from a small city in northwestern Tunisia to an even smaller community in CanadaSA国际影视传媒檚 North was a winding one, taking him across five countries on almost as many continents.

He knew from an early age his journey would involve cooking.

Born and raised in the city of Jendouba, Ouerghi says he loved helping his mother in the kitchen from an early age.

SA国际影视传媒淚 always cut her carrots, peeled her potatoes, everything,SA国际影视传媒� he said.

After being accepted into the prestigious Alain Ducasse culinary school in Paris, he graduated fifth in a class of 200.

After a detour studying Italian cooking in Rome and Naples, he spent time both in Dubai and at a hotel in his home country.

One day, while working in Tunisia, he saw an add for a job opportunity in Canada.

SA国际影视传媒淪o I thought, itSA国际影视传媒檚 a scam,SA国际影视传媒� he said. SA国际影视传媒淏ut I said, you know what? LetSA国际影视传媒檚 do it.SA国际影视传媒�

On a whim, he filled out an application.

Not long after, he was on a plane to Montreal, where he stayed with his sister for five days before moving on to La Ronge, a small community in central Saskatchewan. There, he worked at a barbecue restaurant for three years.

He was working in Kindersley, further south in Saskatchewan, when the pandemic reached Canada and hit the food-service industry especially hard. By the time he was offered the job at the Arctic Char Inn, he had forgotten he had even applied.

SA国际影视传媒淚 didnSA国际影视传媒檛 even have any idea about Ulukhaktok,SA国际影视传媒� he says. SA国际影视传媒淚 even tried to Google it, but there is not much shown in Google or on YouTube.SA国际影视传媒�

But even after all his travels, Ouerghi says he was ready for a new adventure: SA国际影视传媒淚 said, you know what? ISA国际影视传媒檓 gonna it give a shot.SA国际影视传媒�

The community was already blanketed with snow when he arrived in September 2020. SA国际影视传媒淚 said SA国际影视传媒極h my god, this is worse than La Ronge.SA国际影视传媒�

Since then, Ouerghi has done everything from cooking to cleaning to managing the hotel.

Despite his French training, Ouerghi says itSA国际影视传媒檚 a challenge sourcing fresh ingredients in a community as isolated as Ulukhaktok. Yet, heSA国际影视传媒檚 put together a varied menu including eggs benedict, a buffalo chicken wrap and chicken poutine.

He says the locals SA国际影视传媒渄onSA国际影视传媒檛 want something from a bag, because you know, theySA国际影视传媒檝e tried that too many times.SA国际影视传媒�

With some Mexican cooking experience under his belt, Ouerghi says he especially enjoys cooking chicken quesadillas, even if the locals arenSA国际影视传媒檛 always fond of spicy food.

Although other opportunities are calling his name, Ouerghi says heSA国际影视传媒檚 become enamored with his new community.

SA国际影视传媒淸ItSA国际影视传媒檚 ] the most beautiful community ISA国际影视传媒檝e seen in my life. ISA国际影视传媒檝e been here for already two years, and I canSA国际影视传媒檛 even believe ISA国际影视传媒檝e been here for two years. Time flies.SA国际影视传媒�