CookingwithChristal

06/22/2026

Birthday week is officially here! 🥳❤️

I wanted to give you all a little update because I never like disappearing without saying something.

This week might be a little quieter than usual while I celebrate a very special milestone… on Wednesday, I turn 50 years old! 🎉

To be honest, I’m taking it all in. Fifty is a big one, and I’m feeling incredibly grateful for another year, for my family, my friends, and for every single one of you who has supported me on this journey.

To make it even more special, Kelly is flying in to celebrate with me! ❤️

I’m also thinking about doing something I’ve never done before… I might go LIVE while everyone sings Happy Birthday so we can celebrate together. You all have become such a big part of my journey that it just feels right to include you in this milestone.

Thank you for every view, every comment, every share, every recipe you’ve tried, and every bit of encouragement you’ve given me. It truly means more than you know.

Here’s to 50… and to everything still to come. ❤️🎂

06/20/2026

Golden, crispy chicken. 🍗 Rich marinara. 🍅 Melty mozzarella. 🧀 Fresh bakery bun. 🥖

This Chicken Parmesan Sandwich is comfort food at its finest, and this Reel is just a taste of what’s waiting for you!

If you’ve been wanting to make a restaurant-style chicken parm sandwich at home, I’ve got you covered. I walk you through every step in my full YouTube video—from preparing and breading the chicken to building the perfect sandwich.

🎥 Watch the full recipe by clicking the link in my bio or search “Cooking with Christal” on YouTube.

Would you add Parmesan cheese on top? Let me know in the comments! 👇

❤️ The first bite is always for you.

06/19/2026

Chicken Parmesan Sandwich is coming tomorrow… and this one had me laughing the entire time. 😂

From accidentally buying whole wheat breadcrumbs 🤦‍♀️ to dancing in the kitchen, singing random songs, Bella patiently waiting for cheese (because apparently every recipe belongs to her 😅), and ending with a crispy, cheesy Chicken Parmesan Sandwich… this recipe was just as much fun to make as it was to eat.

And yes… you’ll see why I said, “Although it’s thin, I’m still going to beat it.” 😂

Would you eat this?

As always… the first bite is always for you. ❤️

06/19/2026

I made it to the TOP 15!! 🥹🎉

Thank you so much to every single person who has taken the time to vote, share my posts, send encouraging messages, and cheer me on. I truly don’t take any of it for granted.

I’ll be honest… asking people to vote every single day for weeks is a lot. I know everyone has busy lives, and the fact that so many of you have made this part of your daily routine means more to me than you know.

But… we’re not done yet! ❤️

The next goal is making the TOP 10, and your daily free vote can help get me there. If you’ve been voting, thank you from the bottom of my heart. If you’re just joining in, I’d be incredibly grateful for your support.

Let’s keep this momentum going and see just how far we can take this together. Whether I win or not, I already feel incredibly lucky to have such an amazing community behind me.

Thank you for believing in me. Now… let’s go for TOP 10! 💪❤️

One chef will win $25k, a feature in Taste of Home, and a cooking experience with Carla hall.

06/18/2026

Lunch with a view today. 🌊💙

Sometimes all you need is a little fresh air, the sound of the water, and a quiet moment before getting back to the rest of the day.

Hope you’re all having a beautiful Thursday! ❤️

06/17/2026

I’ve been going through some of the videos I took while I was in Mississauga, and I came across this little gem. 😂

I just had to share it with you because this is us… whether we’re in the kitchen cooking together or out in public, Kelly and I are always a vibe. 🤣🙌🏼

There are two kinds of people…

Those who hear soca…

And those who immediately forget how to behave. 😂

Needless to say… we definitely fall into the second category.

No recipe today—just good vibes, genuine laughs, and a reminder to enjoy the little moments in life.

If soca gives you life, what’s the ONE song that gets you on your feet every single time? 🎶👇🏼

06/16/2026

Sometimes you just have to work with what you’ve got in the kitchen. 😊

This dhal filling was a little wetter than I normally like because I made it a while ago and froze it, but I wasn’t about to throw it away. I used it anyway, and as you can see, it still did the job.

Look at how soft and flexible these dhalpuri turned out. 😍

Have you ever frozen your dhal filling before?

06/16/2026

06/15/2026

Sometimes the simplest side dishes end up being your favourite. ❤️

I actually got the inspiration for these oven roasted vegetables from my friend Lisa. I was at her house for a barbecue one day and she served roasted vegetables as a side. I absolutely loved them, so she was kind enough to share the seasonings she uses for all that flavour.

Today I made my own version and they turned out delicious. Tender vegetables, lots of flavour, and just enough caramelization to bring everything together.

Thank you, Lisa, for the inspiration. ❤️

If you’d like the recipe, comment RECIPE below and I’ll send it to you.

What’s your favourite roasted vegetable?