Meet Our Wellness Chef, Sara Purnell
From as far back as I can remember, I have always loved food. Most of my childhood memories revolve around family celebrations and the many dinner parties hosted by my parents in our home. I was fortunate enough to have two parents who both were uniquely adventurous in the kitchen. As a result, I was able to enjoy many flavours from a young age. It was only natural that I picked up my love of cooking from them, and I feel blessed to be able to nurture my family and friends through something I get so much satisfaction from.
After losing my parents to heart disease and cancer, I gradually began to realize the need to incorporate healthier ingredients into my style of cooking. Admittedly, I have always been the type that "lives to eat", and now continue to do so as someone extremely passionate about making healthy food taste delicious. I strongly believe in preventative health care through food, and thus began an almost obsessive desire to protect myself and my family from the potential genetic threats that many of us have inherited.
Ten years ago I began cooking healthy meals for busy working professionals and soon realized that I had found my niche. An idea began to take shape - why couldn't nutritious food be enjoyable at the same time? In my mind, they didn't have to be mutually exclusive. From that point on, I did everything I needed to set myself up for success and registered in the Culinary Management - Nutrition program at George Brown College, graduating with honours. Today, with the contributions of my business partner (and sister-in-law!) Christine Shelston, that initial spark of an idea is known as Nutritus.
My hope is that with the combination of my passion and knowledge of food, I will be able to help others lead a healthy eating lifestyle, with a strong focus on the prevention of disease and other health related issues.