Enchanté!
Have you ever noticed that no matter how much effort you put into the rest of your home, everyone always ends up huddled in the kitchen?
It’s the heart of the house for a reason. To me, cooking has always been a love language, a way to slow down and truly see one another. My favourite way to speak that language is in the quiet of the early morning while the rest of the house is still sleeping. There is something so peaceful about the silence of a kitchen at dawn, just me, my coffee, and waking my family with the scent of warm Belgian waffles or thin, golden crêpes.
The Heart and the Style
My love for food was born in my grandmother’s kitchen. It was French farm-style: rustic, simple, and always anchored by fresh ingredients. She was the one who pulled everyone together, teaching me that the table is where a family comes together, always.
While she gave me the heart of my cooking, my style is deeply influenced by the years I spent in Provence. That Mediterranean influence, the vibrant oils, the sun-ripened produce, and the unhurried pace, is the thread that runs through every recipe I create today.
The name Petit Porcini is a tribute to her. One of my dearest memories is walking through the woods with her, searching for cèpes (porcini mushrooms). To this day, the scent of fresh parsley or the taste of my mother’s fig jam transports me back to that farm-style life. Those moments taught me that food is a story—and it’s a story best shared.
A Fusion of Two Decades
Nearly 20 years ago, I moved to Toronto and began a chapter I never could have predicted. I met the love of my life here, and over two decades of marriage, my kitchen has become a vibrant, slightly chaotic blend of my French roots, my Canadian reality, and the Cuban heritage of my husband.
After all these years of marriage, I’ve finally mastered the perfect Cuban Flan, and I’ve realized that the best "fusion" isn't just about the spices, it's about the traditions we choose to keep.
If you are curious, I wrote a post about my story of leaving France to move to Canada and how my first year went.
Raising Adventurous Eaters
I am currently navigating the "teen years" with my two children. One of the things I am proudest of isn't a specific dish, but the way they approach the world.
By making the kitchen a place of exploration and connection when they were young, I’ve raised two well-rounded kids. They are adventurous eaters who will try almost anything once and are just as comfortable behind the stove as I am. I want to show you that the way we raise our children around the table creates a relationship with food, and each other, that lasts a lifetime.
On a Mission to Inspire
I have always felt a deep pull to have an impact, to be a small part of the reason someone else feels confident and inspired in their own kitchen. My journey has taken me from sets of TV contests like W Network's Pressure Cooker and The Marilyn Denis Show, to spending two years teaching the next generation through online cooking and baking classes for kids.
Today, that mission continues through this blog and my program for parents, The Table Reset. I know how heavy the "mental load" of mealtime can be, and I want to help you turn the dinner hour back into a place of genuine connection.
What you will find at Petit Porcini
Cooking and baking have always been a source of comfort and connection for me, especially when I'm longing for the familiar tastes of home. It's a way for me to travel through my senses, bridging the distance between my French roots and my present Canadian life.
At Petit Porcini, you'll discover a treasure trove of easy recipes that even kids can master. I believe that cooking from scratch should be accessible to everyone, using simple ingredients to create meals that don't feel like a chore. Of course, I understand that life can be challenging, so do your best and order in sometimes.
One of the most common question I receive is how do you get your kids to eat everything? I am not going to lie, my French influence is a huge part of it.
Work With Me
The joy I found in sharing my own kitchen stories on this website eventually led me to a new path: helping brands share theirs. I realized that the same passion I have for inspiring people in my own kitchen could help foo businesses connect with their audiences in a meaningful way.
- Content Creation: I specialize in high-quality recipe videos and digital content. For the past three years, I have worked with Burnbrae Farms to bring their products to life through engaging, video-driven recipe development.
- Photography: I provide rustic, story-driven food photography for lifestyle brands looking to evoke warmth and authenticity.
View My Creative Portfolio
Email: melanie @ petitporcini.com (no space)
All images & content are mine unless stated otherwise. Please do not use my images without prior permission. If you want to publish a recipe, please link back to the article of the recipe.