Cindy Lazarenko is a citizen of the Métis Nation of Alberta and lives within Treaty Six Territory in the City of Edmonton.

Cindy is a Red Seal chef and culinary instructor with over three decades of experience as a restaurant owner, catering director and culinary instructor.

Cindy’s former restaurant in Edmonton, Culina Highlands, was the first restaurant in Edmonton to be awarded an EnRoute Magazine 10 Best New Restaurants in Canada honour. The restaurant was also featured on the Food Network show You Gotta Eat Here.

Known for her ability to connect with students and co-workers alike, she brings compassion, clarity, and deep practical knowledge to the classroom. Her work has spanned diverse communities—including culinary program development in Tanzania, food education for Indigenous youth and women, and teaching through culturally rooted food traditions.

Her teaching style blends strong technical skills with a focus on emotional intelligence, mentorship, and storytelling through food. Whether she’s guiding students through their first knife cuts or exploring the meaning of a family recipe, she believes in the transformative power of the kitchen as a place of growth, confidence, and care.

“I believe food is more than nourishment—it’s a way to connect, heal, and teach. After more than 30 years in the hospitality industry, my greatest lessons haven’t come from recipes, but from people. As a chef instructor, I don’t just teach skills—I build confidence, foster resilience, and create space for students to feel seen and valued. Whether I’m teaching in my own community or across the world, I lead with empathy, curiosity, and a deep belief in the power of showing up, even when things are imperfect. I bring my full self to the kitchen: experience, heart, and the ability to connect.”

Clients include:

University of Alberta
Norquest College
Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT)