Work with Puneeta
A trusted voice for good-for-us, good-for-the-planet cooking, Indian and Canadian culture, and accessible, abundant living.
Photo by Diana Muresan
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PUNEETA CHHITWAL-VARMA is a cookbook author, sustainability expert and TV contributor. Her debut cookbook, Good Food, Healthy Planet - Your Kitchen Companion to Simple, Practical, Sustainable Cooking, was recognized as The Globe and Mail’s 7 Summer Cookbooks and was featured at the prestigious Toronto International Festival of Authors (TIFA). Puneeta and her book have also been featured coast to coast on CTV's The Social, Breakfast Television, CHCH Morning Live, CBC Radio, BBC World News, in The Globe and Mail and National Post, Elle Gourmet, Vancouver Sun, Calgary Herald, on KCRW’s Good Food Radio and more.
Puneeta believes the heart of the home beats in the kitchen, and that food is more than just fuel. She is on a mission to help a million people change how they cook and eat and regain their power in the kitchen.
Puneeta is the founder of the popular food and culture blog Maple and Marigold. She believes sustainability is far easier than we have been led to believe and that eating good food can be uncomplicated and accessible. Puneeta lives in Toronto with her husband, two kids, and their cat.
Puneeta is available for interviews and workshops to share how to lead a healthy, beautiful and eco-conscious life by making simple and small changes in our everyday practices. Drop me a note at puneeta@mapleandmarigold.com
Quicklinks

Photo by Tanvi Madkaiker
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 is an experienced TV expert, public speaker, workshop leader and food writer. Her debut cookbook, Good Food, Healthy Planet — Your Kitchen Companion to Simple, Practical, Sustainable Cooking, has been featured extensively on TV, Radio and print. Please see this section for Reviews and Praise related to her book, Good Food, Healthy Planet.
Here are some clips. This list is not kept updated.
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

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