Do you want to learn how to cook delicious plant-based food and embrace a diet & lifestyle that truly nourishes you?

Are you ready to turn your love for cooking into a fulfilling career?

The Retreat Chef Training & Mentorship Programme is a comprehensive 12-week journey designed to elevate your culinary skills, deepen your understanding of nutrition, and prepare you for a thriving career in retreat-style catering.

You’ll learn about the ancient wisdom of Ayurveda and how to apply the principles to modern plant-based cooking - creating retreat-ready recipes and vibrant menus, as well as learning all the practicalities of retreat catering - all within the container of a like-minded community.

You don’t need any previous chef training to join, just a passion for cooking and wellness, and willingness to dive in. The programme welcomes students of all different ages and backgrounds, from all over the world.

One of our graduates, Zoe, shares her story here!

My journey into retreat catering

Over the past 10 years, I’ve been experimenting in the kitchen with colourful plant-based recipes that sustain, excite, and nourish. I believe that food should be an experience: always vibrant, truly nourishing, and bursting with ‘prana’. My studies in Healing Diets and Ayurvedic Nutrition & Cooking have seen my menus constantly evolving with therapeutic and nutritional knowledge. I’ve catered for more than 75 yoga and wellbeing retreats across the UK and Europe, as well as cooking for private clients including will.i.am and the Black Eyed Peas. It’s been an exhilarating journey and I’ve learnt so much along the way! It is my greatest joy to share this knowledge with you.

Read more about my journey here

What to expect as a Retreat Chef

If you are passionate about cooking and wellbeing, and thrive in dynamic environments, then I truly believe retreat catering is one of the most rewarding careers you can have. I’ve been able to craft a life where I can express my creativity, choose my work schedule, immerse myself in wellness-focused settings, and spend time in some incredible places.

There are many key skills required of a Retreat Chef that are unique to the retreat environment:

• Creating inspiring and balanced menus to support wellbeing and complement retreat activities

• Understanding the healing properties of ingredients and juggling various dietary requirements

• Adapting to new environments and working efficiently in different kitchens to deliver high-quality meals on time

• Managing multiple roles, from menu designing to budgeting to cleaning.

During the 12-week programme, you will learn:

• How to create balanced plant-based menus infused with Ayurvedic wisdom

• How to elevate simple dishes to create beautiful and nutritious meals that wow guests

• Business planning and professionalism - from health & safety to client management and pricing

• Self-care tools - how to look after yourself in a demanding environment.

The Ayurvedic approach

Ayurveda, a holistic healing system that evolved thousands of years ago alongside yoga, offers universal principles for health & wellbeing that remain highly relevant today. Ayurvedic nutrition considers various factors such as the season, the time of day, and the vibration of the food (Prana). It emphasises the balance of the Six Tastes (sweet, sour, salty, bitter, pungent, and astringent), proper food combinations, and the digestibility of food. Herbs and spices are used to enhance both flavour and digestion. Although the traditional Ayurvedic diet is not strictly vegan or vegetarian, it encourages us to live in harmony with nature by eating seasonal, unprocessed natural foods, which naturally leads us towards a plant-focused diet.

Ayurveda’s spiritual and energetic aspects align perfectly with the practices of yoga, meditation, and other healing modalities. This synergy enhances overall wellness, making your culinary creations not only nutritious but also energetically balanced and spiritually uplifting - the perfect offering for the retreat setting.

Course overview

The course is delivered through a combination of online workshops, e-learning videos, and an in-person retreat weekend.

6 x live online days (10am-5pm) via Zoom, every other week, plus additional e-learning videos
A mix of theory and cooking classes - hands-on learning from the comfort of your own kitchen. The benefit of online learning is the hands-on experience you will gain. You are guided to create and present different meals, and to organise yourself in the same way as if you were preparing for a retreat. It is a chance for you to really practise and integrate the learning, as well as set up your kitchen ready for your catering career. The live sessions are recorded in case you can’t join live or want to look back over the content. You also have access to a library of e-learning videos for additional self-study.

Menu development project
Create your own seasonal menus with guidance from Bex.

3-night retreat experience in West Yorkshire, UK
A very special opportunity to enjoy and cook for the group on a real-life retreat, as well as meeting and learning from your fellow student peers.

Comprehensive training manual
A detailed manual to complement your learning, filled with nutrition theory, tips, resources, recipes, and retreat planning guidance.

Chef starter package
A few goodies will be posted out to you to kickstart you Retreat Chef journey!

Group mentorship
Business planning and professionalism such as contracts, pricing, insurance, catering packs, health & safety, plus ongoing guidance from Bex.

Community
Join a network of like-minded individuals who are on a similar path, providing opportunities for collaboration.

Career opportunities
The Mindful Kitchen has several affiliates in the yoga and wellbeing community who would welcome your expertise on their retreats and graduates may be offered job opportunities on completion of the training.