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About Siva
Bio - Siva Swaminathan
Siva's passion for cooking started in her grandmother's kitchen in South India 37 years ago. By watching and aiding her, Siva learned many kitchen secrets and started to mimic them. Siva came to Canada in the 1970's where she took over helping her mother in the kitchen as a young girl.
Siva attended York University and attained a B.A. in Computer Science. After working in the Information Technology field as a Systems Analyst for 13 years, Siva pursued her long time dream of becoming a chef.
In 1998 she completed her culinary training at George Brown College and volunteered with
top chefs in Ontario including Michael Stadtlander and Jamie Kennedy. She was energized with her passion for cooking and started to volunteer with chefs in Ontario and around the world every time she travels - her second passion which has taken her several times to Europe and India to learn about local gastronomy. She is also a huge wine enthusiast.
After Siva decided to purse a career in cooking, she apprenticed in Southern Germany for two years on the Lake of Constance also known as Bodensee.
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The Bodensee's gastronomy has major influences from the countries that surround the lake such as France, Italy, Austria, Switzerland and Germany. She apprenticed in many restaurants including Flors, a restaurant with a Michelin star and a famous fish restaurant in Southern Germany called Haus Gottfried.
She realized the Lake of Constance had the same fresh water fish as Canada. However, at Haus Gottfried, the menu highlighted the fish of the area which were paired with amazing sauces like carrot juz, saffron sauces and side dishes like hand made gnocchi, pumpkin ravioli and local seasonal vegetables.
She quickly learned to cook with fresh, local seasonal ingredients consistent with chefs from around the world who support local farmers and also see the advantages to cooking organically.
Siva is also a freelance writer who wrote articles for the CBC when she returned to South India to help after the effects of the tsunami that destroyed her hometown's fishing industry. She continues to support grass roots projects in her hometown
She was diagnosed with type-1 diabetes (November 14, 2005 - World Diabetes Day), and has been using her culinary skills to develop a complex carbohydrate (slow carb), healthy meal planning for people with diabetes.
Siva is also a volunteer as the Chair of the Executive Board of South Asian Diabetes Chapter of the Canadian Diabetes Association and the Women's College Hospital Community Advisory Panel member and also a member of the Food and Nutrition Policy Advisory Subcommittee. She also guest lectures at George Brown College.
Siva has taught cooking classes at area grocery stores, community centres and trade shows. She has appeared on Rogers Community Channel teaching healthy cooking techniques. She also teaches "how to cook healthier" workshops for South Asian Women as diabetes is on the rise in the South Asian community. She is currently working on a cookbook.
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