Ottawa’s culinary group mourns younger Inuk chef killed in stabbing

The final time Patrick Garland noticed Joshua Qiyuk, the younger chef was on his manner dwelling after a shift at Garland’s restaurant.

“I stated you realize, have an excellent day, I am going to see you tomorrow. And he was like, ‘sure, chef, I am going to see you tomorrow, thanks,'” the proprietor of Absinthe informed CBC Information.

The subsequent morning, Qiyuk’s physique was discovered within the 400 block of Meadow Park Place — a quiet residential space in Ottawa’s east finish. The 21-year-old had been stabbed to demise.

Matthieu Boisvert who lives within the neighbourhood, discovered the physique on Wednesday morning. He described the expertise as surreal.

“Nobody expects to begin their day like that, nevertheless it’s far worse for his household and those who knew him than it’s for me,” he stated.

A life reduce quick

Those that knew Qiyuk in Ottawa keep in mind him as an keen, hardworking younger man who at all times wore a smile.

Garland first met Qiyuk over two years in the past, when the then-teen confirmed up in his restaurant asking for an interview.

We needed him to be a part of our goals.– Trudy Metcalfe-Coe, celebrated Inuk chef

“Josh was standing on the bar in full chef regalia along with his chef toque … he was able to go,” he stated.

Garland gave him a job that very same day, and says he rapidly grew to become an indispensable employees member.

That does not shock celebrated Inuk chef Trudy Metcalfe-Coe, who was one among Qiyuk’s first mentors in Ottawa. She says Qiyuk was happy with his heritage and sometimes helped her cater occasions that featured nation meals.

“I admired him … and simply so happy with what he completed,” she stated.

Qiyuk lately graduated from Algonquin Faculty after ending a culinary certificates program for Indigenous cooks.

Metcalfe-Coe calls Quyik’s demise an enormous loss for the culinary group particularly in a metropolis the place there are so few Inuit cooks.

“You’re feeling it extra. It actually has an affect, not simply because he was aspiring to be this, however he is from the Inuit group,” she stated.

“He had goals that he needed to satisfy … and we needed him to be part of our goals.”