Work with Puneeta
A trusted voice for good-for-us, good-for-the-planet cooking, sustainable living, Indian and Canadian culture, and accessible, inclusive living.
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Puneeta Chhitwal-Varma is an on-air media expert, better food advocate and mother of two who lives in Toronto. She believes the heart of the home beats in the kitchen, and that food is more than just fuel. She appears regularly on TV as a good food and sustainability expert.
Puneeta is on a mission to help a million people change how they cook and eat, and regain their power in the kitchen. She and her food have appeared on numerous prominent national and international media including CTV’s The Social, CHCH Morning Live, Global News, CBC Radio, BBC World News, CBC Life, and Martha Stewart.
Her blog, Maple and Marigold started in 2016 as a love letter. Maple represents Canada, and marigold refers to her roots in India. Through media appearances, workshops, cooking demos, and food writing, Puneeta has built a platform of 32,000 loyal followers on a journey towards delicious, good-for-you, good-for-the-planet habits.
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Photo by Tanvi Madkaiker
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People who cook with me say...
I absolutely love this hour of cooking. The professional approach and presentation of the teaching is superb. Engaging, fun & excellent for anyone. Every step, ingredient, spice, how to reduce waste, how to use items from your pantry etc. is all explained in great detail.
At the end of the session you leave with not only your master dish, but with more knowledge about making sustainable changes and better food choices. I highly recommend this club.
Geeta G.
Millennial Lifestyle
I am really enjoying the Sunday Cooking Club with Puneeta at Maple and Marigold. She makes it so easy to follow along and make these fantastic foods with minimal effort.
Bonus.. these foods are also mood enhancers. The whole class is a mood enhancer. I was afraid of cooking with sweet potatoes and voila.. the cook along helped me get over my irrational fears and I created something delicious.
Priyanka S.
The Sunday Cooking Club with Puneeta was such a joy to attend. It felt amazing to prep some healthy and delicious food for the week and to use flavours and ingredients that are out of my usual rotation.
Puneeta is a wealth of information and an absolute joy. I love her approach to making cooking easy but still yummy!
Sara S.
I just adored your Sunday cooking class. You have a real talent for keeping things interesting in the kitchen! The daal came out delicious and I am so pleased with my leftovers for dinner this evening.
I felt energized by the grounding exercise at the start of the class and extremely proud of myself for the meal I created with what I had in my kitchen!
Jennifer S.
"I first met Puneeta on our Morning Live set in 2019, and she's taught me so much since then!
From her, I've learned to use every last bit of produce in my fridge, and how to make those fruits and veggies last longer. I save money with her advice to 'shop my pantry' and 'shop my fridge' (especially helpful during pandemic lockdowns).
Puneeta, my lovely friend, you have no idea how many times I think of you — and what you'd do — in my kitchen."
– Annette Hamm, Morning Live, CHCH
Past collaborations
Over years of writing, research and media appearances, Puneeta Chhitwal-Varma has become a trusted voice for good-for-us, good-for-the-planet food, sustainable living, Indian and Canadian culture, and accessible, inclusive living. She collaborates on select campaigns with brands that share her values.
Here are some examples of how Puneeta has collaborated in the past:
- Cooking Workshops — in-person or virtual
- Speaking engagements on science-based, good-for-us, good-for-the-planet food.
- Cooking videos and live demos
- Farm and behind-scenes tours
- TV & radio segments
- Sponsored content on Maple + Marigold
- Product inclusion in workshops and classes
Press and Media Recordings
Puneeta has extensive experience in storytelling, pitching and booking media. She is often invited as a good food/ sustainability expert on various media. Puneeta is available to speak to the media about real food, cooking that boosts the mood, sustainable living and the life of an immigrant.
Evening News
- Rising Food Prices, CHCH News at 6
- Sending Kids Back to School, CBC News
Everyday Real Food
- Rice to the Rescue, CHCH
- Almost from Scratch, CHCH
- Mellow Curry for Weeknight Dinners, CBC
- Rock Weeknight Dinners, CHCH
Creative Ways to Reduce Food Waste
- Cooking with Peels - Watermelon Rind Curry, CTV's The Social
- Reducing Food Waste Tips, CHCH Morning Live
- Cut down on Food Waste at Home, CHCH Morning Live
Sustainable Living
- Simple, Sustainable Swaps, CHCH
- How to Shop your Pantry, Global News
- Tips for Sustainable Living, CHCH
- Every day actions via Nourish by Numbers, CHCH
- Packing Earth Savvy Lunches, CHCH
Good Mood Cooking
- Foods that boost the mood, CTV's The Social
- Warming Winter Drinks, CHCH
- Cozy Tea Blends, The Social on CTV
Balancing Cultures, between India and Canada
- Understanding Diwali, Martha Stewart
- Celebrating Diwali, Global News
- Diwali Decor, CBC
- Sweet Diwali Treats, CBC
- Diwali Celebration Ideas, Global News
Some of Puneeta's popular writing
Real Food
Real food recipes made using whole ingredients with big flavour, fresh herbs and health-boosting spices.
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Sustainable Living
Sustainable living is about actions, swaps, and ways you and your family can live in harmony with nature.
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Natural Health
Natural health recipes and ways to use whole spices, other foods, and nature to heal our bodies and brains of illness and inflammation.
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7 Essential Indian Spices for Your Pantry
Exploring Cultures
Exploring various cultures and nostalgic Indian cooking and traditions that come together in Canada, local Canadian-produced food, and nostalgic ethnic food.
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