Starter Company Plus Spotlight: Krissi Hyland

We are so pleased to have Krissi Hyland in our 2021 Starter Company Plus cohort. Krissi brings a fresh and powerful enthusiasm into the kitchen aiming to educate on sustainable options, healthy recipes and how easy it is to introduce whole foods into your lifestyle. From interactive Instagram videos to live-action Zoom classes, Krissi blends together community, connection and education in all that she offers.

Read on for a short Q+A with Krissi.

A woman in an apron standing in front of a tray of chocolate balls.

Chocolate protein balls on a baking sheet.

Hi! I’m Krissi Hyland, a Holistic and Culinary Nutritionist at The Cultivated Kitchen. I teach you how to make delicious healthy foods.

Most people have grown disconnected with our food, bringing factory into farming and processing which then ultimately comes right into our pantries. Our cooking classes help you connect what’s on your plate and pantry to your community, focusing on seasonality, sustainability, affordability and making healthy cooking fun, messy, imperfect and a lifelong skill.

What is your favourite part about being an entrepreneur?

Free reign to be creative in your own unique way.

What inspired you to start your business?

I love food and sharing delicious foods with others.

What takeaways are you looking to get out of the Starter Company Plus program?

Connecting with our community and other entrepreneurs. Also the confidence and guidance in the areas I can grow.

What services or products do you offer?

Cooking classes online and in-person. Some examples are: Plant Based Milks, Fermentation and Meal Planning. Check out my website for all classes.

Who do you look up to for ideas and inspiration?

Mostly from Canadian women nutrition industry leaders like Meghan Telpner, Julie Daniluk and Joy McCarthy among many others.

What’s your favourite lesson to teach?

I love sharing the kitchen essentials and ways you can make them more nourishing, cut down on packaging and cost.

What is your favourite ingredient to cook with?

That’s a tricky question because I love seasonal cooking and my ever changing tastebuds. The only way I can answer this question is, I love all things Asian.

How did you come up with the name for your business?

We came up with The Cultivated Kitchen because health is something you constantly work at. Food plays a huge role in your overall well-being and you have to cultivate- grow, nurture and change through the years.

What is unique about your business?

There’s a lot of noise out there about food and nutrition. I want to inspire and simplify how to make your food choices unique to you and your families health.

Why South Georgian Bay?

Skiing, snowboarding, water and the people that it attracts.

What is one important skill every person should have?

That’s easy, how to cook a healthy meal from scratch.

What are your favourite local spots to visit on a day off?

My favourite food spots are always markets or direct from farm stores. If you can’t make it to the market or farm then The Wild Stand is a local gem in Collingwood offering local, sustainable and organic foods and meats. Some of my favourite farms are Sideroad Farm, Harvest Moon Farm, Good Family Farm and Black Ash Gardens.

What technology innovation made the most impact on your life?

A good blender. No joke. A high powered blender (2.2 horsepower) like a Vitamix is worth the investment. High powered blenders cut (pulverize) through the cell wall of foods making the smoothest consistency but not many people know that it also makes nutrients more bioavailable (easier to absorb).