From Passion to Practice
The Mindful Kitchen Retreat Chef Training Programme is a hands-on culinary and nutrition course designed to prepare students for a fulfilling career as a Retreat Chef.
Zoe Smith (Lily & Lotus), one of our founding students, shares her journey from scientist to retreat kitchen.
“During my yoga teacher training, I was chatting with a fellow trainee about dream jobs and realised mine would involve cooking on yoga retreats. A few days later, she sent me a post from Bex about the Retreat Chef Training Programme! As soon as I read the description, I knew it was what I wanted to do.”
Photo by Theo Piper Photography.
Balancing the training alongside her career in cancer research and Yoga for Cancer specialisation training, Zoe found the course’s fortnightly online format perfect for integrating new skills without overwhelm.
“I was a bit wary about taking on too much, but the content was beautifully paced and practical, and Bex gave us plenty of time beforehand to get everything we needed together for each session. I really enjoyed the balance of the theory and practical sessions, and I found the course handbook incredibly useful – I still use it weekly!”
A core pillar of the programme is Ayurvedic nutrition – how to prepare plant-based meals for optimal digestion, balance the six tastes, and adapt menus to the seasons.
“Having a background in science research, I was a bit wary about how applicable the ancient knowledge of Ayurveda would be. However, I was reading Tim Spector’s Spoon-Fed at the time and was surprised how much aligned with current scientific knowledge – seasonal, local, unprocessed food just makes sense! I found it really interesting to consider food in the context of the different tastes, energies, and individual constitutions.
Although the course was deeply rooted in Ayurveda principles and plant-based food, there was a real openness in the way Bex taught, allowing for each of us to find our niche and cook to our own passion and strengths.”
The course ends with an immersive in-person retreat, where students cook together and experience the rhythm of retreat life.
“The retreat was such a highlight – cooking together, sharing meals, learning from one another, and being guided by Bex throughout. It was really reaffirming and inspirational at the same time. I also loved the foraging experience we had with Andrea from Pickle & Brew!”
Photo by Theo Piper Photography.
Through The Mindful Kitchen’s partnership with Fold Yoga / Rise Academy, Zoe was invited to cater her first retreat at St Mark’s Stay in Sedbergh.
“Cheffing my first retreat was so surreal and a bit nerve-wracking at first – but when it came to start planning the menu and organising, I was just super excited by it all! The course gave me a solid grounding in how to prepare, and I felt trusted by Jen and Kirsty (the hosts) to create something nourishing and aligned with their offering.
Being in the retreat kitchen is physically demanding – early starts, late finishes, always on your feet – but it’s so gratifying and I loved every minute of it. Compared to my usual job in cancer research, which is all long-term projects and slow progress, cooking on retreat gives this immediate, tangible sense of fulfilment. My meals received such lovely feedback from guests – people couldn’t believe that the food was vegan! It feels so good to be able to provide nutritious food that also tastes delicious and challenges perceptions about healthy food.”
Since graduating, Zoe has catered for further retreats, with repeat bookings already coming in.
“I’m learning with each one that I do and I’m building up a repertoire of seasonal recipes that I hope to keep elevating as I continue to grow as a Retreat Chef. I’ve also decided to bring my partner to future retreats to help with service and give myself a little sanctuary space in the evenings in our campervan. The peaceful settings make the work even more rewarding, it’s lovely to be able to take little breaks in nature during the long days and I actually feel quite grounded after a weekend of catering, despite it being so busy.
I’m so grateful to Bex and this programme – not just for the skills, but for connecting me to such a supportive and inspiring community… a group of friends to support each other as we embark on this exciting new journey!
A friend asked me what I got out of the course that I couldn’t have got from a cookbook or similar - the training programme is so much more than that: providing mentorship, community, confidence, practical understanding and experience of the retreat environment, and inspiration. Plus a folder of tried-and-tested much loved recipes I now use constantly (almond cheese, anyone?).”
It's so wonderful to see Zoe already thriving on her retreat catering journey!
Ready to step into the retreat kitchen?
Check out our future programmes.
