About Kitchen of Your Dreams Winner Sandi Gauthier
You’ve seen member Sandi Gauthier’s kitchen, now find out more about the Kitchen of Your Dreams winner and what her $50,000 grand prize means to her and her family!
Tell us about you and your family.
I met my darling husband in 1990 through our mutual place of employment. He was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 1992, at the age of 29. It was a very difficult road, however, we managed, and are continuing to manage, through it. After about a year, he was back on his feet. We were married in 1995 and, 4 years later, our family began to grow! Now ages 10, 11, and 12, I continue to thank God for my lovely children, Justin, Carissa and Nicholas.
Who does most of the cooking in your family?
The main cooking is “primarily” a Mommy and Daddy affair right now, but my children assist tremendously in the food preparation and table setup. Just in the last couple years or so, I have been transitioning the children to take a more active role in cooking by giving them the responsibility of cooking an entire meal. My daughter loves to make Sushi! Philly with minced crab is awesome!
In your video, you mention cooking from scratch. Why is that so important to you and your family?
Well, firstly, it is simply the way I was brought up! We were never served a pre-packaged meal from “a can” or “frozen box.” Secondly, it is for the health of my children, my husband and myself. When my children were born, I made a conscious decision to do what I could, and what was within my means, to provide the best for them.
How long have you lived in your home?
After we were married, we bought a small 3-bedroom bungalow in southwest Mississauga. This house was old, built in the 1950s. We just fell in love with the beautiful landscape surrounded by lush, tall trees (it reminded us of camping). This was a beautiful “starter” home. Well, we are still living in that starter home. It’s been 17 years now! How time flies!
What is the absolute first thing you can’t wait to change about your kitchen?
I would have to say my biggest pain points are my stove, its proximity to the cupboards and safety concerns, and my 1950s cupboards, which don’t shut properly, there’s not enough storage, space is not well utilized, paint chips and sawdust – oh, my! They really have to go!
What is the one thing you will keep from your old kitchen?
Quite a few years back, my sister-in-law came across a series of kitchen artwork that portrayed the artist’s last name, in big print, right in the middle of the picture. Oddly enough, the artist’s last name was the same as ours…Gauthier! So cool!
What does winning this contest mean to you?
Winning this contest means the world to me! I remember some time ago, watching an expert in the field talking about clutter and space and impact on your emotions. He floated words like anxiety, depression, stress, anti-social and sadness, to name a few. This brought me to tears as I recognized myself in those words.
I am so looking forward to sharing my beautiful new space with family and friends. I look forward to not having to be embarrassed by my kitchen, and to having a beautiful kitchen where I can be proud to showcase my cooking skills! I look forward to creating new meals and new family memories!
Thank you again and again for this wonderful opportunity! All of the 85 videos that were submitted were absolutely amazing. I wish there were 85 grand prizes, one for everyone, as they all deserve to have the kitchen of their dreams! Keep dreaming and don’t give up!
4 comments
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Can't wait to see the renovations hope you guys show a video on youtube or phones before during and after
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I am sure you will enjoy every moment of your new kitchen with your family. I think when you go to cook that everyday old standby in the new kitchen, that is when it will really hit you that you got something really special with this prize...may it always bring a smile to your heart and face.
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