Chefs Art Napoleon and Dan Hayes - Moosemeat And Marmalade

Moosemeat And Marmalade Is As Funny As It Sounds

Moosemeat and Marmalade is a television series that’s every bit as funny as its name. With true Canadian humor it matches a First Nation forest foraging chef with a prim and proper British chef and it’s a recipe for hilarity. The show pairs the highly skilled naturalist, musician, comedian and campfire chef Art Napoleon with classically trained and brilliant British chef, Dan Hayes. It’s a half hour of friendly frolicking and fun exploring and comparing Indigenous and European cultures and cuisines. The two chefs couldn’t be more different, or more set in their ways, but the synergy that they create is absolutely nothing short of magic and the interplay of their contrasting worlds is really, really funny!

Moose Guts And Spotted Dick

Every week one of the chefs chooses a main ingredient and leads the journey to a delicious meal. For the weak of stomach, be forewarned that the show starts with the hunting and gathering of food, which may include harvesting and butchering, so it’s very graphic – but in an instructional and often humorous way. Let’s just say that one of the delicious duo is an excellent shot, while the other, not so much. Each chef contributes their respective expertise to the meal while teaching the other how and where to gather natural herbs and edibles in their respective climates and habitats. They then prepare and cook it all, but as they do, take enormous delight in the response to the announcement that the featured culinary delights will include such delectable dishes as ‘Moose Guts’ or ‘Spotted Dick’.

No Wonder They’re So Bat-Shit Crazy

Moosemeat and Marmalade is broadcast on APTN, Canada’s indigenous broadcasting network and I have to say that it’s really, really well done. Both chefs have lightening quick wits, wonderful senses of humor and a mind boggling knowledge of the world around them. I laugh my damn ass off every time that I watch it. I especially love watching Art’s expression as he observes the European tradition of combining alcohol with meals. He gets a look on his face that I’ve only ever seen an Indigenous person make, as if he’s trying his best to make sense of something that makes no sense; thinking “Wow, no wonder they’re so bat-shit crazy, the dumbasses made drinking poison a part of their diet!”

Art Napoleon Is A Campfire Culinary Master

Of Cree heritage, Art knows his way though a forest. He’s a very experienced bush hunter, gatherer and a marvelous outdoor cook. In fact, Art’s nothing short of a campfire culinary master and a man’s man when it comes to hunting and surviving in the northern wilderness. He’s a role model, actor, comedian, story teller, musician, consultant, teacher and chef extraordinaire who could also be a bouncer in a heartbeat. He loves nature and experimenting with tastes, combining his vast knowledge of indigenous plants and wildlife with home-style cooking techniques to create healthy, traditional meals with a gourmet flair. He’s a wildlife conservator who opposes the destruction of natural habitat and his respectful mannerisms reflect his deep love and consideration for all things.

Dan Hayes Is A Classically Trained Chef

From across the pond (the Atlantic Ocean), Dan’s a prim and proper classically trained chef whose culinary career has taken him from the west coast of England to London, Spain, the Canary Isles, and Canada. In the process, he’s worn the hats of a sous chef, food stylist, executive chef, teacher and food marketing manager. Since moving to Vancouver Island a few years ago, Dan’s thrilled to be part of the dynamic and close knit food community. He’s been busily familiarizing himself with Canada’s west coast cuisine, developing relationships with local chefs and working with regional produce and flavors. He’s very brilliant, highly skilled, very well read and seizes every possible opportunity to remind Art of such. All joking aside, his enjoyment of fine cuisine and ability to prepare exquisite foods is evident, as is his enjoyment of working with Art.

Great Canadian Cooking Show

Moosemeat and Marmalade is a great Canadian cooking show hosted by two great guys. The big fart, Art, began acquiring his skills as a child, while dainty Dan draws on years of European history and tradition. Both are truly great guys, remarkable chefs, witty and though they’re constantly jokingly trading jabs, they’re immensely respectful of the people encountered, foods, cultures and each other. The contrast of their two cultures provides a furious flow of funny as they create dishes that look as good as they taste, while humor and undeniable camaraderie fill the screen. So, if you’re looking for something to watch that’s educational, inspirational and frigging hilarious, you’ve got to check out these two chefs as they explore cultures, culinary traditions, worldviews and of course, whip up some taste tempting delights like Moosemeat and Marmalade, eh!*