Toyota became avegetarian when she was 12 and had to cook her own food.[1] In 2003, she graduated fromDurham College with a degree in Music Business Management.[2]
Lauren Toyota and John Diemer, "Hot For Food," 2013
Toyota began her career in Canadian Television, as a host forMTV Canada,[1][2] a formerMuchMusic VJ,[1][2] and a co-host of969.[1][2] In 2014, she gave up her work in television, in order to develop her vegan blog and YouTube channel,Hot for Food.[1] Canada'sImpact magazine listed Toyota as one (out of 12) of "Canada's Top Vegan Influencers."[3]
Food & Wine named her 2021 cookbookHot for Food All Day: Easy Recipes to Level Up Your Vegan Meals, as one of "The 18 Best Vegan Cookbooks for Every Type of Meal" in 2023,[4] andVegNews named her 2018 cookbook,Hot for Food Vegan Comfort Classics: 101 Recipes to Feed Your Face, as one of the "Top 100 Vegan Cookbooks of All Time," in 2024.[5]
Refinery29 included Toyota in their 2018 list of "Canadian Women Killing It".[6] OptiMYz listed her in their list of "Top 100 Health and Fitness Influencers of 2019".[7]
