Cook With Meg is up for another award, this time as a small business finalist at the 2022 Alberta Business Awards of Distinction.
In 2021, the Red Deer business that specializes in virtual cooking classes and camps for families was a winner in the category for businesses with one to 10 employees at the Red Deer and District Chamber of Commerce Business of the Year Awards.
Cook with Meg owner Meg Tucker said she has always loved cooking and getting nominated for an award is icing on the cake — pun intended.
Prior to Cook with Meg, she was the creator of the original Shaw TV kids cooking show Just One Bite. The certified professional cook was also a top-25 finalist on Master Chef Canada.
With a background in marketing, communications and performance, Tucker decided to offer live and on-demand cooking classes for adults, families and children in March 2020.
“When the world shifted and the pandemic hit I had to come up with an idea on how I could use my skills and my past experience and offer it in a way that would fill a void. We decided that teaching cooking was the way to go. We started really small and people really responded. It just grew and grew and grew,” said Tucker who has taught people across Canada, in 24 U.S. states and other countries.
She said online learning is here to stay and learning to cook in your own kitchen, with your own stove, pans and utensils is convenient.
“You’re able to learn a brand new skill, a life skill, right from the comfort of your own home. It’s definitely efficient and it’s sustainable.”
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A total of 273 businesses were nominated in 14 categories for the Alberta Business Awards of Distinction, and the list was narrowed down to 52 finalists.
Cook With Meg is one of four finalists in the small business category including Naturalee By Kacie Rainey, of Penhold; Connect Canada Immigration Services Inc., of Calgary; and Insight Psychological Inc., of Edmonton.
Winners will be announced at an awards ceremony in Edmonton on June 24.
Related:
Red Deer kids cooking show prepares for new season
Scott Robinson, Red Deer & District Chamber of Commerce CEO, said making it to the finals is quite an accomplishment. There are tons of small businesses now, everything from craft breweries to innovative technology solutions to family-run shops.
“Having Meg’s business be identified and recognized is just fantastic. We’re really excited,” Robinson said.
“Small businesses are a huge driver of the economy. Individually it seems small, but they all collectively make a big impact, so we really celebrate our small businesses and try to support them as best we can.”
Alberta Business Awards of Distinction is presented by the Alberta Chambers of Commerce.
szielinski@reddeeradvocate.com
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