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My friend Dominic Prigent writes a cooking blog called Cookoodoo. I caught up with Dominic recently and asked him about his passion for life in the kitchen.

What's your earliest memory of cooking?

I started cooking when I was about nine years old. My parents divorced and I had to take more responsibility with family life. I wasn't forced to cook, though. I was drawn to it.

What's your favorite dish?

Paella is one of my favorite dishes for lunch on the weekend. It's linked with a lot of memories from when I was living in Spain. Eating paella is very social. It's prepared in a big pan that people can serve themselves from. It's like a family gathering. I've even made paella on a BBQ! It's a favorite dish I like to prepare and share with people.

Where do you buy your ingredients?

Mainly at the Jean Talon Market in Montreal. It's a feast in summer although pretty disappointing in winter because people are reselling and they don't have the passion. There also seems to be an understanding on prices. In winter the market is less expensive than Metro but more expensive than Adonis.

What advice do you have for someone who doesn't have a lot of experience in the kitchen but wants to cook more?

Cooking isn't a science, it's an art. Each dish is unique - no two dishes are the same. You need to forget about boundaries and try new things. It's all about experimenting. You can use a recipe book as a guide but feel free to add or adjust ingredients.

What are your current projects?

I've just made Jerusalem artichoke soup with parmesan crust for the blog. I'd also like to prepare more food from Turkey, Morocco and Lebanon.

What social media do you use?

Blog: Cookoodoo

Twitter: @thegastronomist

Facebook: Cookoodoo

Pinterest: Cookoodoo

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Fear and paranoia can haunt and overwhelm each of us. My model for this vision was my friend Luca. I photographed him in my home in Montreal.

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