‘Retreat food redefined’
Medicine for body, heart, mind and soul
Experienced retreat chef with over 20 years in the hospitality industry and 6 years cooking on private events and retreats.
My food is inspired by the years I spent in hospitality, surrounded by great chefs, dining in exquisite restaurants and getting a taste for flavour, presentation and technique. Crossed with local, seasonal produce and a holistic approach to life, my food is a beautifully balanced symphony of texture, colour and flavour, made with love.
When I cook for retreats I want to offer a new experience whilst making the guests feel at home, cooking to compliment the days activities. As a yoga practitioner I have an awareness to what might be that perfect meal to start and end the day, and lunches that are wholesome, light and energising. I work with the seasons celebrating produce that is fresh and local, adding extra vibrancy as I draw on Ayurvedic cooking principles. Over the last year I have had the opportunity to dive into this ancient style of cooking after being invited to cook for Faye on her ‘Live Intuitively’ Glastonbury retreat and was amazed at how quickly I noticed positive effects on my body after bringing some simple Ayurvedic principles to my diet.
Click here for a current sample menu for a full weekend retreat.
My drive for cooking and hosting springs from big family dinners and the simple joy of giving my guests something that tastes amazing! I spent years managing a fine dining restaurant and organising their weddings, local and corporate events and understand the needs and perspective of the guests at the table. I believe that if the food is good, the dining experience flows easily to great conversation, leaving the guests inspired. I love to educate and share my knowledge and passion with my guests.
My first Yoga lunch was in 2018, since then I’ve hosted and cooked yoga brunches and dinners at various venues across Bristol including Space 238, Amba House, The Sundial Kitchen and Liberty House. I then hosted and cooked for my first yoga retreat in Pembrokeshire, and now cook for various teachers on retreat around the UK. It’s a joy to visit and experience so many wonderful kitchens and look after guests on retreat.
“Shell’s culinary expertise was a highlight of our retreat, delivering professional-quality, utterly delicious meals without a single dish to fault. Each meal featured fresh, high-quality seasonal produce, masterfully seasoned with a perfect blend of herbs and spices.
Her extensive knowledge of Ayurvedic principles and satvic cooking, paired with her understanding of seasonal flavours and textures, was truly impressive. Beyond her professional demeanour, Shell’s warmth and thoughtfulness towards everyone made our dining experience both enriching and joyful.”
“Shell cooked on our weekend yoga retreat. She’s an incredibly talented, hard-working chef with lots of inspiring ideas. All of her food was amazing, from the snacks on arrival to the delicious range of colourful salads, homemade bread and shakshuka brunch. Everything was so fresh and tasty – our guests couldn’t have been happier. The other great thing? Shell is an all-round lovely human too. We’ve already booked her for our next retreat.”
If you like the sound of what I offer and are interesting in working with me then please fill out the form below. I like to work closely with my clients so we can create a menu together that aligns with the intention of your retreat. I look forward to hearing from you!
“Shell brought so much creativity, comfort and love through her food. She themed the meals in alignment with what we were covering in the sessions, bringing a real cohesiveness to the energy of each day. Students fed-back that the space Shell created in the kitchen with her warm and clear communication, and through her fresh and homely food, supported them to feel deeply nurtured and safe.
Through the skilful combination of colours, textures and flavours, Shell not only delighted our mouths and bellies, but also evoked a curiosity and respect for what we were eating. Each meal was presented like a piece of nature-based art! Her playful love of her craft brought us closer to our food, which was ideal for the focus of our retreat on honouring the elements.
Each meal was perfectly attuned to the needs of the day, spiralling through complexity and simplicity, richness and lightness, intuitively nourishing us in exactly the way our bodies needed in that moment. It was magical to see her ingeniously use up the food so we had almost zero food left over.
Can’t wait to have Shell back again for Elemental Woman 2023!”
“Shell is a true plant alchemist. The flavour combinations she invents are tantalising, and her beautifully detailed presentations are a work of art. She bought a playful curiosity to accommodating my needs of an Ayurvedic menu. This along with her incredible planning skills, made the whole process really smooth, fun and easeful.
The delivery of the meals was always perfect and she took time to talk us through the ingredients and recipe details, sharing her tips for us to attempt to recreate her nourishing dishes at home.
Everyone was wowed by her creations, I can’t wait for her to chef at the next Live Intuitively retreat!”
“Shell is an absolute superstar and our retreat weekend would not have been the same without her! The food was delicious, everyones dietary requirements were catered for and everyone thoroughly enjoyed eating all the fantastic meals.
As someone who is organising such a big event, it was a massive weight off my shoulders knowing that Shell was in the kitchen ensuring that everything was prepared and cooked on time. It meant I didn’t have to stress because I knew that she had the kitchen under control. It felt like nothing was too much trouble for her and she was also flexible when needed to be.
I love Shell’s work ethic, she is so calm yet focused and determined to deliver the best service she possibly can.”
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