Featured Alumni

New College | Faculty of Arts & Science

Bonnie Stern

Bachelor of Arts (BA) 1969

From her early beginnings as a chef to opening her renowned cooking school, Bonnie Stern has become a Canadian culinary guru.

Bonnie Stern, who for decades operated her eponymous cooking school in Toronto, is a self-proclaimed "social worker in the kitchen", helping others cook easy, delicious and nutritious meals for themselves and their families.

When she first opened her school, Stern faced some adversity as chefs were not regarded with high esteem. Nonetheless, Stern proved sceptics wrong, channelling her educational background to develop her career. Her degree in English from the University of Toronto gave her the confidence to establish herself as a cook, a journalist, an author and a business woman.

"Going to the University of Toronto gave me a lot of confidence and knowledge and gave me the confidence needed to do what I do now."

Aside from being a fabulous cook and teacher, Bonnie Stern is also the author of various best-selling and award-winning cookbooks such as the HeartSmart series written in conjunction with The Heart And Stroke Foundation of Canada, Bonnie Stern's Essentials of Home Cooking and Friday Night Dinners.

Not only are her books award-winning, Stern herself is the recipient of many awards from the Toronto Culinary Guild, Cuisine Canada and she is also the 2007 recipient of the Premier's Award.

Stern's talents exceed the kitchen as she now hosts private cooking events and corporate classes, leads culinary trips and sends out a monthly newsletter with recipes, restaurant recommendations and information about her monthly book club. At her book club, Bonnie brings readers and writers together over dinners that are related to the theme of the book, combining both her passion for literature and her love of cooking.

With titles under her belt such as cook, teacher, writer, author and business woman, Bonnie Stern has gone above and beyond to redefine what it means to be a chef.

 

Published Nov. 28, 2013

Related Alumni

Margaret MacMillan

Trinity College | Faculty of Arts & Science

Margaret MacMillan tells students if they follow their intellectual passions and keep learning, they’ll boldly go across boundaries.

Vincent Lam

Temerty Faculty of Medicine

Vincent Lam wanted to be an author as well as a physician. Turns out you can achieve international acclaim in both fields.

Edward Greenspan

University College | Faculty of Arts & Science

In the scales of justice, Edward Greenspan carries some weight. But there’s more to Greenspan than courtroom drama.

John Mighton

Victoria College | Faculty of Arts & Science | School of Graduate Studies

Imagine a popular playwright who doubles as an advocate for literacy in mathematics. No need to imagine: John Mighton is for real.

Linda Schuyler

Innis College | Faculty of Arts & Science

Linda Schuyler personifies the “if no one else is doing it, I’ll roll up my sleeves and do it myself” approach to getting things done.
See all featured Alumni

Don’t miss out!

Update your contact information to be the first to know about exclusive offers. This makes it easy to tell us when your email has changed.

Update my information

Special discounts

Did you know that U of T alumni get deep discounts on attractions, sporting events, car rentals and more? Check back often for new offers.  

Find the latest deals
Close