Santa Cruz has always been at the forefront of healthy eats. But the contemporary expression is anything but crunchy!

Our Santa Cruz chefs are diverse in their offerings and training and take health food to a new level. We have many higher end farm-to-table chefs, as well as rootsy raw food and rustic vegan chefs. Some chefs focus on seated dinners, and some on casual meal prep and cooking classes. Our chefs service all over Northern California  – from the Central Coast to San Francisco to Mendocino. Please contact us to see who is available for you!

A conscious chef is someone whose work revolves around healing with food, respecting the earth, and wanting to offer more to the profession than the classic hectic restaurant paradigm. None of our chefs are identical. Each has their own specialties, own style, and own life experience to share through their food. All of our chefs embody the following qualities:

*A passion for food, wellness, and human connection

*Working knowledge of various cuisine styles and dietary restrictions

*Calm, personable demeanor, and ability to work calmly in open kitchens

*Personal relationships with local farmers and food purveyors

*Knowledge of local and seasonal ingredients

*Holistic health-minded in work and life

*Able to create customized menus for a variety of specialty diets and allergies

*A knowledge that LOVE is the most important ingredient we can put into food.

Private Chef Services

From seated dinners, special lunches, boutique weddings, picnics, and intentional meal prep – our chefs are happy to nourish your special occasion.

Ongoing & Meal Delivery Chef Services

Too busy to cook? Have a special diet or health goal that you would like support with? On vacation and just want there to be a fridge full of food that everyone will enjoy? Our chefs have set rates for weekly or more frequent meal prep visits, and will customize menus to you and your family.  Many of our chefs are also nutritionists, health coaches, and trained in many healing foods.

Retreat Catering

The food offerings at your intentional event should match the event itself! Our chefs love retreat immersions and will prepare a custom menu that fits your event energetically and nutritionally. Many of our chefs are trained yoga teachers themselves.

Pre & Post-Natal Chef Services (Doula Chefs)

Nurture your or a loved one’s special time with doula chef services. Many of our chefs are also trained in birth support services, specialty nutrition, and they love nourishing mamas of all kinds through all trimesters, post-partum, and beyond. Our Ayurvedic chefs also have special knowledge of pre and post-natal food prep. Inquire about availability in your area.

Cooking Classes and Workshops

Our chefs love empowering others to take control of their health. Many chefs offer both public cooking classes as well as one-on-one instruction. Classes can be intentional and curated, designed for fun and play, or both! Please ask!

Recipe Development

Need help with your new menu, blog, or wellness program? Many of our chefs are also recipe developers, bloggers, photographers, and more! They love assisting others with custom menus and development.

In addition to classic culinary training, many of our chefs specialize in healing foods of all types. Availability for different services varies by location and chef, but all chefs have knowledge of plant-based and intentional cooking.

*Farm-to-table rustic or high-end cuisine

*Vegan, raw, and fusion cuisine

*Ovo-lacto vegetarian cuisine

*100% plant-based or primarily plant-based

* Sustainable animal products

*Ayurvedic preparation for dosha-balancing or dosha specific meals

*Macro-biotic cuisine

*Paleo and/or plant-based paleo

*Gluten-free cuisine

*Oil-free cuisine

*Fresh nut milks, cold-pressed juice, superfood smoothies

*Sensitive to dietary restrictions and/or food allergies

*All food is prepared with extra LOVE

*Santa Cruz

*Capitola

*Carmel

*Big Sur

*San Mateo

*San Francisco

*Sonoma County

*Mendocino County

*Napa Valley

Yoga literally means “to yoke” – meaning to combine mind, body, spirit, and practice. Just as we combine these qualities on the mat, so can we in the kitchen. As conscious eating become more prolific, there is a growing need for grounded conscious chefs to cook for retreats, individuals, and groups. We are here to support this movement!

Rates vary depending on food style, chef’s experience, logistics, and guest count, and while all chefs set their own rates, we adhere to industry standards. Newer chefs will have lower rates so they can gain experience, and seasoned chefs will charge professional rates.

In general, expect to pay between $35-75/hour + cost of food + service charge + tax. Some chefs will have preset menus available that charge by guest (rather than an hourly) that range between $40-200 per person. Meal prep options range from $150-$350/visit + food cost. Retreat catering averages around $25/meal in package forms.

Please let us know what your ideal budget* and desired menu are when you contact us so we can pair you with a chef within your range. There is never any charge for connection

We work with a community of yoga chefs with unique training, philosophies, and life experiences; and so each will have unique menus.

Some chefs are more comfortable with casual family oriented work, and some prefer high end work.

All chefs have work with local ingredients and farmers to create vegan and plant-based menus for sit down dinners, but some may also offer Ayurvedic, raw vegan, paleo, pescatarian, farm-to-table (plant-based and/or meat and poultry), along with other styles.

Please contact us directly so we can connect you with a chef, or chefs, in your area who offers the style of cuisine you are looking for. There is never any charge for connection.