marisa mariella

Welcome to the Kitchen

Welcome and thank you for taking the time to meet me! We both probably agree that food is nourishing to the body — but did you know that cooking, baking, and sharing what you’ve made will feed the mind, heart, and soul?

That explains why I love watching people eat the food that I’ve prepared even more than just eating it myself. More importantly, it explains how cooking weaved itself into my 30+ year career as a high school teacher and guidance counsellor.

While my math/science classroom and guidance office provided the setting for curriculum mandates, the kitchen was the perfect classroom to really connect with teens.

I’ve had the privilege of working with thousands of students and my most rewarding times were spent in the kitchen… cooking, baking, laughing, sharing stories, messing up, problem-solving, and then eating together as a family or sharing what we made with others.
Without realizing it, I was trying to provide opportunities to feed their minds, hearts, and souls. What I didn’t realize was just how much the experience was filling my own cup!

Now that I understand how vital this experience is for wellness, I am even more passionate about connecting with you and others in my favourite place. Yup… you’ve guessed it! The kitchen.

I hope you like what I share and I can’t wait to meet you. No experience needed! Just bring a fresh mind, a tender heart, and a hungry soul.

On Screen & In Community

Marisa is the host and community producer for the successful series, Marisa’s Easy Kitchen on Cable 14, a local specialty channel of 130,000 subscribers. Now in its second season, the show continues to enjoy high ratings and viewership as it provides new and experienced home cooks with delicious family-friendly recipes that can impress any crowd.

Based primarily on authentic recipes from Southern Italy from both her mother and mother-in-law, she shares other recipes that encourage a diverse palate.

Her passion for cooking has always been an integral part of her professional and personal life. Marisa believes that the kitchen is the perfect classroom to build wellness, confidence, purpose, and resiliency.

After 35 years in education — as a classroom teacher, student success teacher, guidance counsellor, and Head of Student Services — she has earned awards at local, provincial, national, and international levels for her work in mental health, teen leadership, and volunteerism.

As vice-chair of the Suicide Prevention Community Council of Hamilton, she works collaboratively to provide hope, help and healing in our communities.

 

Giving Back

Recognized locally, provincially and nationally for her initiatives in teen mental health, she strives to break stigma and bring awareness to the importance of mental wellness through education and advocacy.

Having lost both her father and father-in-law to cancer, she is dedicated to the Terry Fox Foundation as site coordinator for Stoney Creek.

Marisa has organized numerous events raising over $80,000 for local, national, and international organizations. She volunteers within her parish community and supports the Donnici Social Club Executive in building pride for Italian culture.

While she is busy with many endeavours, she is happiest spending time with her husband, four children and daughter-in-law, lovable dogs Boomer and Peaches… and obviously, cooking!