Jennifer MacKenzie, P.H.Ec. – The in-depth version:
Professional Home Economist Jennifer MacKenzie grew up with a love of food and good nutrition. As she was completing high school she decided to turn her hobby of cooking into her profession. She completed her degree, a Bachelor of Science in Foods and Nutrition, at Brescia University College at The University of Western Ontario and worked in restaurant and hotel kitchens during school breaks to gain practical cooking experience. Upon graduation, Jennifer spent more than five years as a home economist in the Canadian Living magazine test kitchen.
Jennifer established her consulting business, FOODWORX, in 1999 and wears many aprons as a freelance writer, recipe developer, tester and editor, spokesperson and events coordinator. She shares her passion for delicious, easy-to-make food in publications such as the LCBO’s Food & Drink magazine and several websites. Working closely with the agricultural world, Jennifer has represented Canada Beef Inc. and Alberta Barley as a media spokesperson, and, for 15 years, has worked with Farm & Food Care Ontario as Project Coordinator their very popular Influencer Farm Tours. Jennifer is currently the Chair of Awards Committees and Special Events Coordinator for Taste Canada Awards – Canada’s culinary writing awards. Jennifer has tested and recipe-edited over 200 cookbooks, has been a recipe contributor to over 20 cookbooks and has taught cooking classes across Canada. She has made appearances on national and provincial television and radio programs including Canada AM, Breakfast Television Toronto, CTV Morning Ottawa, CHEX TV programs and CBC Radio.
Jennifer is the author or co-author of eight cookbooks: the forthcoming 2nd Edition of the bestselling The Complete Book of Pickling (2009, 2019), Sous Vide Basics (2017), co-authored with Jay Nutt, 150 Best Waffle Maker Recipes (2018), co-authored with Marilyn Haughen, the bestselling, , The Dehydrator Bible, co-authored with Jay Nutt and Don Mercer (2009, 2015), also a bestseller with over 100, 000 copies in print, The Complete Trail Food Cookbook, co-authored with Jay Nutt and Don Mercer (2009) and The Complete Root Cellar Book, co-authored with Steve Maxwell (2010), the Complete Curry Cookbook, co-authored with Byron Ayanoglu (2008) and a contributor to Best of Bridge Home Preserving (2014) all from Robert Rose Inc.
Jennifer keeps active professionally as a member of the Ontario Home Economics Association. Jennifer was the recipient of the 2008 OHEA President’s Distinguished Service Award and the 2016 Ontario Farm Fresh Marketing Association Ambassador Award. As a survivor of neuroblastoma, a rare childhood cancer, Jennifer is honoured to be involved in fundraisers for The James Fund for Neuroblastoma Research at SickKids and with their family support program as the past chair of the committee who plan and host a weekend retreat each fall for families affected by neuroblastoma.
Jennifer keeps fit with paddling, walking, yoga and lifting bags and bags of groceries. She is an avid photographer of her local flora and fauna, and food, of course. As well she’s passionate knitter and the host of a Monday-night knitting club (for 13 years and counting).
Jennifer and Jay along with their rescue dogs, Diva the Coconut Retriever and Benny the Beagle, make their home in Buckhorn, Ontario. They live on a little piece of Kawartha waterfront where they skate and snowshoe in winter, paddle their canoe and kayaks in summer and grow fruits, vegetables and herbs to make into delicious dishes to share with family and friends.