Retreat Chef & Holistic Cooking

An experience with food that nourishes your guests on all levels of body, mind and soul.

When you are on retreat, all your needs should be taken care of and the food should be a beautiful display and extension of your experience and the gift you are giving to yourself of time away and radical self care. It truly is a luxury to not have to cook, and to have the meals you are being served be as clean, nutrient dense and as flavorful as possible. 

As a retreat chef, I take great pride in creating dishes that are not only aesthetically pleasing, but nourishing to the body and soul. I am not fancy and truth be told, I am not classically trained; I just have a passion for healthy food, being in the kitchen, and serving food with love. I have decades of experience, and am self-taught and always learning more. 

I believe my magic lies in cooking for large groups for days at a time and never missing a beat. From prep to execution, to clean up, I handle all the major and minor details and I take pleasure in presenting beautiful, tasty food and watching guests delight in every wholesome bite. 

Nourishing plant-based food served with love

I make a lot of dishes I hope people would want to recreate at home; in fact, I encourage guests to experiment and play in their own kitchens.  Part of my work is what I call “passive activism”, as I feed people delicious, plant-based meals. Naturally, most guests on retreat do not eat the way they do on retreat at home. Some have never tried vegan food, and some are even skeptical about what the food will taste like and if it will fill them up. Typically, at the end of the experience, guests will ask me to share recipes and I am so happy to do so! Nothing makes me happier than when individuals are inspired to eat cleaner and more plant-based post an event. 

I am grateful that I am typically integrated into retreats and not just “the person in the kitchen” but as family and as a nutrition and food educator, since it’s common most guests have many questions about the food and the kitchen is such a natural gathering space for people. 

For me, cooking is an extension of my love and my desire for human connection. I can typically be found in kitchens in the Los Angeles and High Desert areas (such as Joshua Tree and Palm Springs), but I am open to farther distances, and have experience doing retreats nationally. 

Let the task of feeding your guests land in the hands of someone who not only has years of experience, but who is also passionate about delivering an unforgettable and impactful experience. 

 “We hired Dori to cater a private dinner for my girlfriend's 30th birthday for a total of 10 people. She not only provided what was "the best caesar salad" one friend has ever had, she also came prepared to dress up as "The Kitchen Witch" for our Halloween themed event! She curated not only an incredible meal but also an entire dining experience. On top of that, she was a ball of positive energy throughout the night and I would highly suggest you consider booking her for your next event. Thank you, Dori!” - Forrest Bashaw

“On our recent yoga retreat, my husband and I had the pleasure of meeting the chef for the trip, Dori.  Having Dori as our Vegan chef for the retreat was the cherry on top!  Our food for breakfast, lunch, dinner and snack was a mouthful of tasty nutrition leaving us feeling satisfied and light on our feet.  Her attention to the smallest of details did not go unnoticed as she created sacred space, and made each meal presentation aesthetically pleasing to boot.  We got the chance to talk and mingle and fell in love with her vibrant energy and kind soul.  Her hospitality made us feel right at home, and she never hesitated to be accommodating to each and every retreater and their special needs.  We admire her commitment and dedication to the vegan cuisine and lifestyle.  She even offered me her sneakers to borrow for a hike as I had forgotten my own at home.  Thank you Dori! - Katie Hunt