wendi-23

Who am I?
I’m Wendi Hiebert. I’m a food specialist, food writer and Professional Home Economist living in Kitchener, Ontario, Canada with my husband Murray (a teacher and Kitchener Rangers hockey scout) and our poodle Cocoa.

Besides Murray, Cocoa, my family and friends, our PVR and my Blackberry…..
I love food – cooking it, eating it, and reading and writing about it. There are two foods I am particularly passionate about – eggs and chocolate! No, make that three! Ice cream ranks right up there too! It’s hard to go a day without enjoying at least one of those three foods. Usually I average two out of three!

From 9 to 5…..
During most days each week (and sometimes evenings and weekends!), I work as the Food and Nutrition Specialist for Egg Farmers of Ontario (EFO). My job is to promote the nutritional value and versatility of eggs to consumers through cooking demonstrations and presentations, and by creating recipe booklets, educational resources, and advertising and PR campaigns. I’ve been with EFO since 1995.

A serious passion…..but mostly for the fun of it!
I’m also passionate about chocolate! When I’m not promoting eggs, I love sharing my enjoyment of good quality chocolate with others through tastings and workshops. (Please visit my page titled Seminars/Workshops for more information about chocolate tastings and workshops, and other seminars.)

That’s all she wrote? No, there’s more to come!
For about 14 years I wrote a weekly recipe and food column called Creative Cooking for The Record (Kitchener, Ontario). The column also ran in the Guelph Mercury (Guelph, Ontario) for the last few years. My farewell column in both newspapers was published on December 26, 2007 as The Record decided to move in a different direction with its food pages – and consequently I decided to pursue other writing opportunities. (Some of my past columns and recipes can be found on The Record’s website.) Ending this food-writing adventure has freed time for me to consider other food- and writing-related opportunities.

Too much time on my hands?
One of the food/writing projects I’ve taken up is writing this blog. I also write The Brownie Lovers Diary and am a contributing writer on my sister Loreen’s blog, Cooking Quarters.

Back in the day…..
My previous work experience includes teaching Family Studies; working as an Extension Home Economist for Manitoba Agriculture; column writing for the Southeast Bulletin (St. Pierre Jolys, Manitoba) and Opasquia Times (The Pas, Manitoba); nutrition and diet counselling; freelance food writing and consulting; and restaurant reviewing.

Where it all started…..
I have a Bachelor of Home Economics (with a major in Foods and Nutrition) from the University of Manitoba in Winnipeg.

Who do I hang out with?
I belong to these organizations:
* International Association of Culinary Professionals
* Ontario Home Economists in Business
* Ontario Home Economics Association
* Waterloo Wellington Home Economics Association
* Cuisine Canada

Want to get in touch with me?
Submit your comments below, or at wendihiebert@hotmail.com