Take back your kitchen! Eat with joy, improve your confidence, and have fun while you do it!

Tired of the same old dinner ideas? Struggle with creating a balanced meal? Lack time, knowledge or know-how in the kitchen? We are back for our third round of In the Kitchen, our signature cooking and nutrition education series just for you. 

In the Kitchen with Diabetes Canada is a free, live and interactive four-week cooking and nutrition series. Our favourite hosts, professional home economist (PHEc) and cookbook author Mairlyn Smith, and dietitian Katie Brunke, RD, CDE, PHEc, are back again. As in previous years, they’ll showcase delicious, healthy recipes live and answer your questions in real time. And, we’ve extended each session this year to be sure we get to more of your questions! All sessions run Tuesdays in October at 7 p.m. EST.


Each week will feature:

  • One delicious, nutritious live recipe demonstration

  • Three bonus recipes to try at home

  • One “how-to” cooking segment to increase your kitchen know-how 

  • One nutrition segment to explore hot topics (supported by Canada Life )

  • A dedicated Q&A

  • A whole lot of fun and laughs

Weekly recordings will be available, along with the recipes and resources.

Why cook at home?

Research shows that people who cook and enjoy meals at home experience several health benefits:

  • More nutrient-dense foods

  • Lower-fat and high-fibre intake

  • Increased fruit and vegetable intake

  • Improved blood sugar control

In the Kitchen with Diabetes Canada

A special thank you to all of our partners:

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Meet our hosts


Mairlyn Smith


Mairlyn Smith, PHEc

Mairlyn Smith is a beloved Canadian cookbook author, professional home economist (P.H.Ec), media personality and keynote speaker known for mixing learning with fun and laughter. A Masters of Science candidate in Nutrition at the University of Guelph, and the only professional home economist who is also an alumnus of the Second City Comedy Troupe, she calls herself the “funniest P.H.Ec. in the world.”

A regular guest expert on the award-winning national daytime television show Cityline, Mairlyn is a regular on Toronto’s Breakfast TV.  She’s the author of eight award-winning cookbooks, including her latest Peace, Love and Fibre: Over 100 Fibre-Rich Recipes for the Whole Family (Appetite by Random House), which made the bestseller lists at The Globe and Mail, The Toronto Star, Amazon.ca and Chapters Indigo. It was also shortlisted for a Taste Canada Cookbook Award.  

Her #fartwalk™ reel on Instagram, which encourages people to get off the couch and go for an after-dinner walk, went viral and started an international fart walk movement with 14.3 million views to date. Follow her on Instagram @MairlynSmith or her Facebook Fan page @mairlyn.smith


Katie Headshot


Katie Brunke, RD, CDE, PHEc

Based in Toronto, Katie Brunke is a registered dietitian and certified diabetes educator, dedicated to advancing community nutrition and empowering underserved groups with essential food knowledge and diabetes management strategies. Since 2017, Katie has been an integral part of the Diabetes Education Program at Parkdale Community Health Centre’s Queen West site in Toronto. Over the past decade, she has acted as a consultant, focusing on nutrient analysis and crafting recipes for diverse Canadian commodity associations. Beyond her professional endeavours, she finds joy in cooking, quilting, spending time with her spouse and furry companion, live music, and backing the Toronto Blue Jays.

Missed any of the previous episodes of In the Kitchen? 

Watch the 8-part series now

Join our online community

Connect, share, and find support with others living with diabetes on Diabetes Canada Connect.

Contact us for support

We can answer your questions about diabetes, diagnosis, and other concerns.

Information and support services

1-800-BANTING (226-8464) info@diabetes.ca