Retreat Chef for Yoga & Wellness Retreats
I’m Zoe — a trained Ayurvedic and vegan retreat chef, cooking nourishing, wholesome food entirely from scratch for yoga and wellness retreats across the UK and Europe.
I hold a PhD in cancer sciences and spent years working as a cancer researcher — a background that shapes how I think about food as something that genuinely nourishes and supports the body. Cooking for retreats is now my full focus, so every one gets my complete attention, care and the real joy I get from cooking: no rushing, no cutting corners, just beautiful food made with intention for you and your guests.
I cater for retreats of all kinds, and I’m based near Manchester but love to travel — I’m available for retreats throughout the UK and abroad, including France, Spain, Portugal, Italy and Greece.
More information is available in my chef pack or you can fill in the enquiry form with details of your retreat and I will get back to you with a quote.
Everything taken care of, so you don’t lift a finger
Hosting a retreat is a huge undertaking — the food shouldn’t be one more thing on your plate. From the moment we confirm, I handle it all:
- Menu planning
- I tailor this to your retreat schedule and your guests’ needs
- All the shopping, prepping and planning ahead
- Cooking and serving every meal
- Setting and clearing the table
- Cleaning up after each meal
- Keeping the tea, fruit and water stations topped up throughout
That means you’re free to focus entirely on your guests and your retreat, knowing every meal is handled with care.
About the food
Every meal is cooked from scratch using wholefoods — legumes, pulses, whole grains and fresh seasonal produce — with no refined sugars or processed ingredients. Cooked according to Ayurvedic principles, each meal is balanced for the season and designed to satisfy all six tastes, leaving you nourished and content, never overfull.
Wherever I can, I use seasonal, local and organic produce — foraged wild garlic, local berries, herbs and microgreens from my own garden. I’ve been vegan for many years, and guests are regularly surprised by just how satisfying and inventive plant-based food can be!
A taste of the menu
Menus are built around your retreat, but here’s the kind of thing guests enjoy:
- Braised cannellini beans on sourdough, pumpkin seed pesto, thyme & sea-salt almond cheese
- Greek salad with tofu feta, smashed crispy potatoes, lemon tahini drizzle, dressed leaves
- Chana saag, split yellow pea dahl, lime-pickled red cabbage, cumin rice, mint chutney
- Summer vegetable chickpea tagine, jewelled couscous, pistachio mint gremolata, ras al hanout yoghurt
Herbal tea bags, a seasonal fruit basket and naturally flavoured water are always on the table, and I often serve fresh tea with after dinner such as mint leaf infusion or lemon & ginger.
More information is available in my chef pack or you can fill in the enquiry form with details of your retreat and I will get back to you with a quote.
Where I work
Based in Stockport, I cater for retreats throughout the UK. I keep things simple: I don’t need accommodation provided I can stay on-site in my campervan with access to a shared bathroom.
I am also available to cater in Europe — including Spain, Portugal, Italy and Greece. For retreats abroad, we’ll arrange travel and accommodation as appropriate.
Trusted and qualified:
- Certified Ayurvedic retreat chef (The Mindful Kitchen)
- Level 2 Food Safety & Hygiene certified
- 5-star Food Hygiene Rating, Food Standards Agency
- Fully covered by public liability insurance
I’m happy to show any of these on request.
For a quote fill in the enquiry form and I’ll get in touch with a detailed quote, or for more information request a copy of my chef pack.
If you have any questions feel free to email me at [email protected].
❞
Our experience with Zoe was excellent from start to finish! The quotation, communication and booking process was simple and easy.
But most importantly, the food was amazing! So much thought and care put into every meal. I couldn’t fault a thing.
Zoe also took care of everything; the menu plan, the shopping, the prep, cooking, serving and clearing up afterwards, so I could focus fully on my guests. I would highly recommend her.
★★★★★
Katie
Retreat Host
❞
Zoe provided the catering for a yoga retreat I went on recently and I was blown away by the level of detail, care and attention she put into every meal. Not to mention it was all absolutely DELICIOUS! I wanted all the recipes! The use of fresh, seasonal produce and inventive recipes left me feeling fully nourished, satisfied and extremely. Thank you Zoe!
★★★★★
Abi
Retreat Guest
❞
Wonderful food cooked by this lovely girl. Completely changed my view of vegan food…. And the cashew nut cheese was sublime!
★★★★★
Monique
Retreat Guest