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About Us
Peter Fogarty left the culinary profession in the spring of 2007 after 30 years, to become a full-time ice carver and expand his company, Fire and Ice Creations. And he chose to stay in Saskatchewan, Canada, a sparsely populated province in the country better known for its agriculture than being a center of hospitality activity.
Peter saw ice carving for the first time at a demonstration in 1977 and was 'hooked'. He attended his first carving workshop in 1982 hosted by the Calgary Chef's Association where the President of the Japanese Ice Carving Association and the head carver from the Prince Hotel staged a full demonstration.
Since that time, Peter has participated in many competitions and ice carving demonstrations including the 1988 Winter Olympics in Calgary.
Eight times he has taken part in the Ice Magic competition in Lake Louise, Alberta, and he has also competed at the Crystal Garden event during Winterlude in Ottawa, the Ice on Whyte event in Edmonton and High on Ice in Fort St John.
Peter's culinary career has involved many different experiences including positions as Executive Chef at numerous hotels and high-end country clubs. He has sat on Advisory Boards and on the Executive of many different Provincial Associations and he also operated a major catering company for six years.
He phased himself into the ice business gradually and slowly built up his inventory of machinery and equipment over the years while operating out of his garage. First one Clinebell block maker, then another and eventually moving into a 1500sq ft building in November 2005 when space at his house simply ran out.
When the time came to take the plunge, Peter was ready. He added two more Clinebell machines, installed a larger freezer and set out to market his talent.
Fire and Ice Creations is building an impressive list of achievements, including sculptures for the 2007 Juno Awards - Canada's Music Awards - and a design for the International University Congress (called bridging communities) where he designed a replica of Saskatoon's 25th Street bridge used for a sushi display.
'I don't have a lot of competition in my area', says Peter, 'But then, jobs are not too plentiful either, so when opportunities do arise, I need to be on top of my game and turn in good work.
'Ice sculptures are becoming more popular around here but I have to keep pressing the point home. My business is growing steadily and the amount of referral work I am getting means I must be doing something right', he adds.
Peter has been a member of the National Ice Carving Association (NICA) since 1994. He actively promotes ice carving through classes at the Saskatchewan Institute of Applied Science and Technology (SIAST and through participation at winter festivals, exhibitions and fund raising events.)
Media Coverage
Adding Logos to Ice Sculptures
Sign Media Canada Magazine - Cover & Page 20 - April, 2012
When Things go Horribly Wrong
Advice in Ice - January 19, 2012
Cultural Olympiad Ice Art show a Big Hit in Vancouver
Advice in Ice - January 19, 2012
ArtCAM Express Creates Complex Ice Bar in 30% Less Time
ArtCam Express
Delcam plc : Delcam’s ArtCAM speeds ice bar production
4-Traders - Dec 20, 2011
Skiing, skating and sleighing in Saskatchewan
The Globe and Mail - March 14, 2011
Saskatchewan: Hot Times in the City
AOL Travel Canada - February 4th, 2011
Festival provides cold comfort
Canada.ca - January 2011
Life/Style
Planet S -
November 4, 2010
Celebrate Success! Special Edition 2010
Business View - Spring 2010
Dragons' Den Brett Wilson Pitch Party
YouTube - edwardsbusiness - November
27, 2009
Photo gallery: La Bodega ice bar
Leader-Post - December 10, 2008
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