Harrowsmith Fall 2019 | 111ponds
You might be surprised to learn that many
Canadians of renown—actors, politicians,
musicians, athletes, authors and others in
the public eye—have ties to the countryside.
As in years past, we are pleased to salute those
who live, or have lived, far from the limelight.SMALL
Greta Podleski, along with her
sister, Janet, is the co-author of four
blockbuster bestselling cookbooks:
Looneyspoons; Crazy Plates;
Eat, Shrink & Be Merry; and The
Looneyspoons Collection. Her first
solo cookbook, Yu m & Yu m m e r, was
Canada’s top-selling cookbook of
2018 and a Taste Canada Awards
Gold winner. Podleski’s incredible
self-publishing success story and
outrageously delicious, healthy
recipes have been featured on
national TV and radio shows and in
newspapers and magazines in both
Canada and the United States.
Described by her cookbook
fans as “the mad scientist of
healthy cooking,” Podleski began
developing her kitchen “whizdom”
at age seven, when she received an
Easy-Bake Oven for her birthday.
“If I can cook using the heat of
a lightbulb, I can do anything!”
proclaimed Podleski during her
childhood aha moment. (Her proud
mother, Alfreda, in her thick Polish
accent, declared Podleski “Da next
Julius Child.”)
Podleski lives in Waterloo,
Ontario, with her best buddy and
faithful kitchen companion, Rico,
the rescue dog. Not surprisingly,
Rico’s favourite meals include
“pooched eggs” and “pizza with
muttsarella.”
What will you be up to in
2019–20? Since I’m also the
publisher and not just the author
of Yu m & Yu m m e r, I’ll be spending
my year on marketing, promotions
and running my publishing
business. I’m also in the process of
dreaming up my next big project.
What will it be? I’ve had so many
requests for another cookbook,
but I’m not sure that’s in the cards.
Never say never, though! I love
creative work. I’m happiest when
I’m conceptualizing and dreaming
up ideas, then bringing those
ideas to life. My hobby is home