Spicy Luke
Elisha Luke Campbell is resplendent in his spotless white uniform and chef's hat, moving from barbecue to stove, laughing, orchestrating dinner for a hundred people without blinking an eye. When you've managed food for 700, this is just fun....
Elisha Luke Campbell is resplendent in his spotless white uniform and chef's hat, moving from barbecue to stove, laughing, orchestrating dinner for a hundred people without blinking an eye. When you've managed food for 700, this is just fun.
Luke Campbell arrived in Canada from Jamaica in 1966. Schooled by international chefs, he was quite able to turn out duck a l'orange at time when most Canadian restaurants were still dishing out meat loaf.
He ran his own Ottawa restaurant and catering business for 36 years. There are still regular postings bemoaning the loss of his famous Jamaican patties. And there are trophies - huge trophies - two, three feet high; the most recent awarded by the Canadian Federation of Chefs last year.
Now 71 and officially retired, Luke Campbell volunteers with the Ottawa Mission training young chefs looking for a second chance. He puts on that white uniform and cooks - for whoever needs him.