Mom's food hack goes viral in freezing temperature
A mother visiting Canada for the first time from India found out that keeping food warm on the go during winter is easier than any of us thought. Lauren O'Neil checks out her brilliant hack.
Canadians love dining outdoors—when the weather allows it. From lakeside picnics to backyard barbecues, summer is ideal for outdoor meals, but in the winter, eating outside is a different story.
For most people, the idea of enjoying a hot meal outside during Canada's colder months is impractical—but for Renu, an Indian mother visiting Ontario for the first time, it was an opportunity to get creative.
Renu, whose son Sid moved to Burlington, Ont., from India in 2019 with his wife Sherry, recently became an internet sensation after discovering a simple yet effective way to keep food warm in freezing temperatures.
The Viral Winter Hack
During a cold snap in Ontario, Renu and her pregnant daughter-in-law planned a day at the mall. Wanting to bring a hot meal, she experimented with an insulated thermos to store homemade parathas.
She wrapped the flatbreads in tinfoil, sealed them inside the container and later discovered they stayed piping hot for hours—even in -15°C weather.
Her son Sid, who runs the WaddupCanada account on Instagram and YouTube with his wife Sherry, shared a clip of the hack online in late January. The video quickly went viral, racking up over four million views and earning Renu praise as a "genius".
Born Out of Necessity
In an interview with The Weather Network, Sid explained that the idea came after Renu's parathas went cold on a previous outing.
"The next day, she saw the thermos flask we use for tea and coffee and thought, 'Let's just put them in that and see if they stay hot,'", he said.
When they finally opened the container outside in the snow, the results were impressive. "It was -15°C and they were still piping hot!," said Sid.
A Family Celebration
Since the video went viral, Sid and Sherry have welcomed their first child—a baby boy—making an exciting time even more special.
"We have our parents, a new baby and we're going viral. What more can we ask for?" said Sherry.
As for Renu, she's thrilled that her simple trick is helping parents everywhere send their kids out with hot meals that stay warm, whether in Canada or any other cold climate.