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Marie's Biography

Cooking

Marie Hejl is a self-taught cook. Growing up with two working parents and three hungry brothers, Marie started cooking for crowds at a very young age. Taking her talent onscreen, she hosted her first cooking show, Kids’ Cooking!, at age 10. This laid the groundwork for her second show, almost 20 years later.

Today, Marie is the host of Cooking With Marie, an award-winning cooking show that airs in 80 markets across the nation as well as in New Zealand, Canada and Australia. The focus of her show is easy, quick and "healthy enough" cuisine. Marie has been featured in numerous local, regional and national media, including Southern Living Magazine and The Martha Stewart Show. She was recently selected as one of the top 100 food-related people in her hometown, Austin, Texas.

Law

By trade, Marie is an attorney, graduating from the University of Texas School of Law with honors in 2003. Her main areas of expertise include commercial litigation defense, and labor and employment law. After practicing at two national law firms and hosting her cooking show for the past four years, Marie decided to put more focus on her passion for cooking and creativity. Although she still provides legal services in a volunteer capacity and mentors law students, Marie now spends most of her time cooking, filming, teaching, and crafting -- often with her family, friends, and "Cooper," her adorable Chocolate Lab.

Community Service

As a lifelong Austinite, Marie is committed to and is very active in her community. She is an inaugural member of the Habitat for Humanity Young Professionals group, and served as the co-chair of the "Lunch Brigade" committee during the group’s initial year. As co-chair, she donated and cooked food for the volunteer home-builders on a monthly basis. Marie is a founding member of the Bremond Society, the young professionals’ branch of the Settlement Home for Children in Austin. She is an inaugural member of the Women's Leadership Council, which provides support to the newly-designed Long Center for Performing Arts. She is also a life member of the Texas Exes, and served on the board of the Austin Chapter as the Public Relations and Marketing Chair.

Marie is a member of the Austin Young Lawyer's Association and, in particular, its community service committee. In that capacity, she regularly participates in the organization's Holiday Project, which provides food and gifts to impoverished families living in Austin. She donates cooking-related items to a number of charities, generating tens of thousands of dollars in donated funds. Marie cooks treats for Travis County’s annual adoption day, and donates teddy bears for the newly adopted children. In honor of two of her best friends, she provides financial support to the Multiple Sclerosis Foundation and the Hope Chest for Breast Cancer. She has also participated in, and provided support to participants in the Komen Foundation Race for the Cure.

"Spread love everywhere you go. Let no one ever come to you without leaving happier." ~ Mother Teresa

FAMILY PHOTOS

Marie, making buttermilk pancakes.

Marie’s Chocolate Lab, waiting for some attention or food.

Marie’s oldest brother, Jim, and his wife Laura.

Marie and her middle brother, Chris, ice-skating in Chicago.

Marie and her youngest brother, Matt, before a UT football game.

The Hejl family (except for Jim and Laura!)

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