Home / Andrea Yu – Toronto Freelance Writer

Toronto Life • 26th March 2020

“We had 190 volunteers in two days”: How U of T med students are helping healthcare workers with groceries and childcare

"Because the demand for childcare was so high, we expanded our scope of volunteers. We now have over 400 volunteers signed up."

The Globe and Mail • 20th March 2020

Despite social distancing, many front-line public workers feel the strain

For Jason Watts, social distancing isn’t as easy as working from home. Mr. Watts works as a bus driver for the Toronto Transit Commission. His shifts are up to 10 hours long and involve regular exposure to the public.

TheStar.com • 20th March 2020

Engaged couples debate whether to cancel their weddings

Friday was supposed to be the best day of Chrissy Brown and Cody Hansen’s lives. But just a week before the ceremony and reception were set to take place, they pulled the plug on their wedding.

Toronto Life • 17th March 2020

“We had no idea when we were getting off the ship”: What it was like to be quarantined on the Grand Princess cruise ship

"We were lucky we had a balcony. We could stick our heads out and talk to our neighbours."

Toronto Life • 13th March 2020

“I can pretend I’m excited to homeschool them, but I’m not”: Parents and kids speak out about Ontario’s school closures

We chatted with parents and students during the last morning dropoff.

TheStar.com • 12th March 2020

Three ways to get a live-edge dining table

After local mills began producing natural planks he could use, Jack Fouracre’s live-edge business boomed, accounting for 80 per cent of his business at its height.

Toronto Life • 10th March 2020

How Rizwan “Sunny” Rabbani created a multi-million-dollar fitness business on YouTube

"I’m so happy I can support my wife and three kids with my YouTube career. We just moved into a brand-new house that cost a million dollars."

WestJet Magazine • 1st March 2020

6 Things to Do in Chelsea, Quebec

Located near Quebec’s border with Ontario, Chelsea merges Canada’s anglophone and francophone cultures with European influences. There’s much to explore in this charming village, just north of Ottawa.

Toronto Star • 24th February 2020

Hatred, threats and crude questions about your genitals. Welcome to trans dating

"You always feel like you’re the subject of someone’s sexual fantasy,” says Ziva Gorani, a trans woman. “It makes you feel like you’re less than a human.”

The Globe and Mail • 21st February 2020

Job title inflation can be harmful for employees and organizations

What happens when job titles are used by employers as a talent attraction, or retention, tactic? An appealing job title becomes a bargaining chip for companies without funds to back up a lucrative role.

The Globe and Mail • 17th February 2020

Clothing reseller Lorel Grad: Poshmark ‘isn’t a side hustle anymore’

"I remember when I reached 10-grand in sales and I was, like, “Wow.” It was consistently three-grand a month for the first bit and now I'm making four-grand a month."

Toronto Star • 4th February 2020

Here’s how to pull off the velvet sofa look — even on a budget

Velvet sofas particularly, have steadily gained momentum over the last five years, says design consultant Liz Le of Stylegarage furniture store, on Ossington Ave. “We’re seeing it being more broadly embraced,” Le said.

Foodism TO • 3rd February 2020

Boozers and shakers: Reid’s Distillery

We head east to discover how Reid’s Distillery is bringing the small-batch spirit culture to Toronto.

Toronto Life • 30th January 2020

Internet Famous: Why 21-year-old illustrator Amanda Rach Lee dropped out of business school to do YouTube full-time

"I quickly realized business school was not for me. I decided to do YouTube 100 per cent and see where it goes."

Foodism TO • 29th January 2020

Mind over menu: A look at mental health in the food and beverage industry

Seven years ago, Ariel Coplan was working his first head chef job at Nyood. "I worked from nine in the morning on a Saturday until six in the afternoon on Sunday, straight through,” Coplan recalls.

The Globe and Mail • 24th January 2020

Can personality testing improve retention and reduce turnover?

Assessment tools are not only beneficial for their ability to gauge a candidate’s personality fit with a team but they can also be an indicator of their future performance.

Toronto Life • 23rd January 2020

Internet Famous: How cake decorator Laurie Shannon (a.k.a. the Icing Artist) bought an $800,000 home with her YouTube earnings

"Some cakes take a ridiculous amount of time to film, as long as five days. Sometimes we shoot for 16 hours a day."

Escapism Toronto • 21st January 2020

Winging it: Big Island, Hawaii

Home to 10 of the world's 14 different climate zones, Hawaii offers an abundance of opportunities to cozy up with nature.

Toronto Life • 14th January 2020

How James Hobson (a.k.a. The Hacksmith) brings in six figures a year building superhero props on YouTube

"Suddenly, we were a mid-sized channel that was making money off YouTube ads. Sponsorship deals started rolling in from companies like LG, and Google."

Foodism Toronto • 14th January 2020

Flavour of the Week: Lapinou

Lapinou bills itself as a “neo-bistro” serving updated French recipes inspired by Ontario’s best ingredients. Chef Jamie Ullrich goes to lengths to source ingredients like Canadian fife wheat for Lapinou's sourdough.