Victoria
Founder & Realtor
Hello, I'm Victoria.
Welcome to The Cooking Tale! I am so glad you stopped by.
Food has always been my language of love. I adore feeding my family and friends, experimenting in the kitchen, and breathing new life into the dishes I grew up with in Soviet Ukraine. Some of my favorite recipes were passed down from my Mom, while others were born right here in my own kitchen.
When I got married over 20 years ago, I barely knew how to cook, but I had a nesting instinct and an eagerness to learn. Back when it was just the two of us, I'd happily spend hours creating elaborate multi-layered cakes. But after my son and daughter arrived, my cooking style evolved. While I still enjoy a fancy project now and then, I've grown to appreciate practical, family-friendly recipes—meals that are healthy, delicious, and don't require spending the entire weekend in the kitchen.
From Montreal to Toronto
My journey brought my husband, our little son, and me to Canada in my late twenties, and our family became complete a year later when my daughter was born. We spent over a decade living in Montreal—a city I still adore for its cobblestone streets, the gorgeous Notre Dame Basilica, and its incredible restaurant scene. It's a place that turned me into a forever-tourist, always hunting for new favorite spots.
Today, our kids are teenagers, and we call the Greater Toronto Area home. I'm a big city girl at heart who secretly dreams of life on a beach. My favorite things in life are traveling (and planning the trips!), reading, painting, spending time with family, and of course—cooking and eating!
Beyond the Kitchen
When I'm not testing new recipes or planning our next travel adventure, I work as a full-time Real Estate Agent (Realtor) here in the Greater Toronto Area.
If you are looking to buy or sell a home, or just want to chat about the market, I'd love to help you.
Contact Me for Real EstateOur Family Tale
For me, food isn't just a necessity, it's art, therapy, and a reason to gather around the table to talk and laugh. I try to create appetizing, flavorful dishes that my whole family will enjoy, from meats and shrimp to vegetarian dishes and, especially, desserts.
This blog is truly a family effort. My son encouraged me to start it, my husband handles the technical side, and my daughter gave it the name: The Cooking Tale. It's our story of fresh, homemade food, and we are so happy to share it with you.
I'd love to hear from you! Please leave your comments and feedback on the recipes. If you'd like to use my photos or recipes, kindly link back to the site.