Each month we profile a different Canadian Food Blogger who is part of the FBC community. This month we meet Michelle a blogger who shares authentic, approachable & family-friendly Slovenian recipes.

Name: Michelle Ryall
Blog name: Slovenian Kitchen by Michelle
Where were you born? I was born in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada
Where are you living now? I currently live in Hamilton, Ontario
Why did you start your blog?
I am a first generation Canadian-Slovenia. I was raised in a home with rich Slovenian traditions. I grew up visiting Slovenia over my summer holidays, and I still have all of my Mom’s side of the family there. In 2020, I decided to spend more time in my kitchen; cooking and baking homemade traditional Slovenian dishes for my family. I am fortunate enough to still have my Mom, who is an amazing cook and has taught everything I know in the kitchen. However, there were many Slovenian dishes that I wanted to explore and I found myself searching the web with very little luck! That is when I decided to start a Facebook Group: SLOVENSKA KUHINJA ❤️ Let’s SHARE Slovenian Recipes, Culture & Traditions – (Slovenska kuhinja means “Slovenian kitchen”). Initially I thought the group could be a fun on-line platform, where I could share my love of Slovenian cuisine. After only the first couple of days of launching the group on Facebook, I already had thousands of followers. As the saying goes,”the rest is history”. This was the birth of ‘Slovenian kitchen’!
How did you decide on your blog name?
I wanted to choose a name that would essentially attract & direct people searching for Slovenian recipes.
What do you blog about?
I love sharing easy to follow family approved recipes! I mainly blog about traditional Slovenian dishes that have been in my family for generations. I also like sharing everyday life, inspiration, while keeping Jesus above all!
Is your blog your business, your hobby or something in between?
It started off as an innocent fun hobby, but it grew so quickly and unexpectedly, that I made the decision to turn it into a business. I began blogging in June of 2022. I am so proud to share that I currently have over 30K+ followers with all of my social media combined: Blog/Website, Facebook, YouTube, Instagram!
What post on your blog most encapsulates you and why?

Hmmm! This is a really great question. I would probably have to say my post on the Traditional Slovenian Walnut Roll. In Slovenian it’s called a ‘Potica’. She is known to be one of our national treasures. The ‘Slovenian Walnut Roll’ is soft, sweet and has a walnut roll filling that is shaped into a crown - We call her the Queen of all Slovenian desserts. Just like how the ‘Potica’ is our treasure, I believe the kitchen is the heart of my home. There is LOVE in every sLOVEnian, with love and grace I love to share treasured recipes from my Slovenian kitchen, so that others can bring the taste of Slovenia into theirs!
Which post do you wish received more love and why?
I wish I received more love on my “Slovenian Chicken & Mushroom Risotto” recipe post. It was one of my childhood favourite dishes. Actually, it still is one of my faves. I was so excited to share it in my blog. It is my mom’s homemade version actually. It’s such a great dish. I used to race home to eat it for lunch and when I got older and started working, it made for perfect make ahead lunches too.
Which post’s success surprised you and why?

It was the recipe post I shared on How to make crispy “Angel wing Cookies”. In Slovenian we call them ‘Flancati’, they are also known as crostoli, chrusciki or krostule. After I Posted it, it literally went viral all over social media. I had gained several followers and many new YouTube subscribers too! It was very exciting.
What’s your biggest challenge as a blogger?
My biggest challenge as a blogger is finding a work + life balance. I am so passionate and love everything about my blogging business. I could easily lose myself, just quietly working away, in my little corner of the internet. I have found that the best way for me to manage my time efficiently and effectively is by using a monthly, weekly and daily schedule. This way I am able to have a healthy work + life balance.
What is the biggest lesson you’ve learned as a blogger?
Building a strong foundation is so important. Nothing happens overnight. It takes a lot of brainstorming, planning, and scheduling. It is so easy to burn out – just breathe and take things one day at a time!
What has been your biggest success as a blogger so far?
I would have to say that my greatest success is being able to bring people together through food! Food is such a universal language! I LOVE receiving feedback, personal messages, and being tagged in pictures from my followers! My heart feels so full knowing that I was able to help someone along the way to make a special meal or a dessert for a special occasion. I have received countless messages from my followers where they were able to make a dish that they ate growing up but they never got the recipe from their mom, dad or grandparents! Many of these messages touch my heart and move me to tears. I feel so blessed to have been given this beautiful gift!
Share a couple of your favourite food blogs to read. Why do you like them?
Slovenian Crepes: Palačinke – These are Slovenian-style thin pancakes. Similar to a crepe. I grew up eating them and my boys just love them too. It is one of my families most top requested breakfast meals.
Slovenian Homemade Carnival Donuts: Krofe – This is a treasured family recipe for Traditional Slovenian Krofi (kro-fee). Also known as carnival donuts! I grew up eating these, and vividly remember having them packed in my lunch bag as a little girl. In our house we love to dust them with powdered sugar, and fill them with strawberry jam, plum jam or nutella!
Traditional Slovenian ČEVAPČIČI (BBQ’d Minced Meat) – There is nothing that I enjoy more than getting my family & friends together, and enjoying a delicious meal together on a warm sunny day! Čevapčiči are the perfect way to start off the BBQ season! They are always a huge hit with everyone in the family.
What are you working on next for your blog?
I am heading to Slovenia in June. I plan on sharing many New! Delicious recipe posts and some fun behind the scenes footage from my mom’s family farm. Stay tuned!
What else should we know about you that may or not be in your “About Me” page?
Growing up, I always had a passion for cooking and baking. The kitchen is where you would have found me. I would have been standing on a chair, right next to my mom. I was always so proud to be her little helper, and of course I was always wearing my cute little Slovenian apron! I loved helping my Mama in the kitchen.
My Mama is the “Queen of the Kitchen”, she is my inspiration for sharing Slovenian food with the world!
I draw on all of my past experiences which make me the creator, photographer, blogger & business owner that I am today! I thrive on my cultural heritage. My family, friends, Slovenian cuisine & Jesus have always been the centre of my heart.
- I started working as a young pre-teen, catering at weddings and special events with a Slovenian catering company.
- Graduated with a Degree in Business. I had a vision and dreams of one day owning & operating my own business, off the coast of the Slovenian Riviera. (...never say never)
- Worked in sales, as an account manager, for several years in the consumer packaged goods industry.
- Became a mom and was blessed to be able to be a stay at home mom to raise my 2 adorable boys (my most cherished & rewarding role to date).
- Owned & operated my own custom design cake business.
In a nutshell, I'm a Wife, Mom, Creator, Vlogger, Photographer, and Entrepreneur – A Social Media Boss!
"Someone once said that it's our mission in life to find our purpose. I feel so blessed to have discovered mine — “Spreading love, one recipe at a time, from my Slovenian kitchen. I was so born to do this!"
What makes your blog unique?
I have found a niche in sharing Slovenian recipes. Most of these recipes came from my Mama, family, friends and my own personal experience in the kitchen. I feel so blessed to have so many wonderful people in my life. This allows me to live out my dream and spread love through food, with others from my Slovenian Kitchen! My website also has a Shop, where you can explore beautiful handmade items, unique Slovenian kitchen essentials, merchandise and more!
How do you cultivate a sense of community around your blog?
I have a very strong and loyal following. I am motivated in keeping our roots and traditions growing strong for our future generations! Continuing to keep my following growing strong and encouraging the members in my FB Group to keep sharing and inviting their family & friends too! My passion is also for people around the world to take a journey with me and to fall in love with Slovenian cuisine. I love sharing authentic traditional recipes on YouTube and IG that have been in my family for many generations.
What part of the FBC site do you find most useful?
I love the whole feel of the site. It’s a one stop shop! It makes me feel like I am part of a wonderful and supportive blogging community. The Food blogging resource section is truly a gem.
Follow Michelle and Slovenian Kitchen on Social Media
Leave a Reply