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Learn to Cook and Lead Like a World-Class Retreat Chef

Join an 8-day immersive training that goes far beyond recipes. A transformative experience designed for food lovers, chefs, and wellness enthusiasts who want to bring people together through food.

Over the course of eight inspiring days, you’ll learn the art of retreat cheffing: how to cook with purpose, design nourishing, seasonal menus, and host experiences that nurture connection and wellbeing. From hands-on cooking sessions to creative workshops and business insight, you’ll gain the tools to take your passion for food into a meaningful career whether that means cooking on global retreats, hosting your own wellness events, or simply elevating how you cook and share food every day.Guided personally by Bettina and her expert team, this immersive journey blends practical skills with mindfulness, sustainability, and community. You’ll discover not only how to feed others, but how to sustain yourself in the process in work, creativity, and life.Wherever your food journey takes you, this training will give you the confidence, inspiration, and support to turn your love of cooking into something truly transformative.

BOOK YOUR PLACE

Are you uninspired cooking in the same kitchen day in day out?

Do you long for the freedom and knowledge to play with culture, flavour and variety in your recipes? Are you ready to travel around the world while getting paid to feed people?

Do you want to use your recipes to make a difference in the lives of people on transformational health and wellbeing journeys? Then the retreat chef academy is for you.

The Bettina’s Kitchen Academy is here to teach you how to master the art of retreat cooking and implement it into a career you love.

Having spent over 12 formative years as a retreat leader & chef. Cooking and hosting retreats gave me an arena in which I could experiment with my style, working methods, and flavour profiles. Seven days surrounded by food revealed how every ingredient, when treated with care, can bring meaning to someone else’s life. I have worked with some of the biggest brands in Wellness andI now want to pass that onto you.

BOOK YOUR PLACE

The Academy is open to anyone that wants to work in the plant based arena.

As well as if you are currently working as a chef or a retreat chef, a venue owner, a course leader, or anyone about to embark on a career in the Plant based or Retreat industry, to learn the intricacies and skills required to create menus, develop recipes, manage budgets, operations and run a kitchen within a retreat setting.

BOOK YOUR PLACE

This course has been years in the making and I am so proud to be able to offer this one of kind intensive learning experience to teach you:

{What you Will Learn}
[1]

Exploring the nuances of retreat cooking from menu flow and seasonality to energy management, balance, and the art of feeding people with purpose.

[2]

Deliver exceptional, nourishing cuisine balancing creativity, logistics, and care to create meals that become part of the experience itself.

[3]

Inspire, comfort, and support guests through their journey of transformation, turning every meal into a moment of care, intention, and shared experience.

[4]

How to turn your passion into purpose and build a fulfilling, successful career doing what you love while inspiring others along the way.

Watch the video showcase

Experience the transformative journey of retreat cooking.

Being a great retreat chef is about so much more than just cooking lovely meals.

The role also requires you to also be an excellent menu planner, budgeter, accountant, and contract negotiator. The best retreat chefs know how to handle stress and time management, insurance, food allergies, and demanding clients and bosses with ease. All whilst delivering memorable, balanced meals to support yoga, exercise and the overall style, and the environment in which the retreats are held.

testimonials from our past retreat chef academy graduates

"I wanted to take a moment to thank you from the bottom of my heart for the incredible experience last week. Your guidance and encouragement have left a lasting impression on me. I will cherish every moment and lesson learned during this time. Public speaking has always been a challenge for me, but your calm and grounded presence made all the difference. You made each session engaging and easy to follow, turning complex ideas into something we could all grasp. I am truly grateful for this opportunity and excited to continue this journey and further develop the skills in 'Effortless Cooking.'
Martina
"Attending the Plant-Based Retreat Chef Academy was a truly inspiring and enriching experience that has elevated my culinary practice. I was amazed by the endless creativity possible with whole plant foods, and how beautiful, nourishing, and satisfying the dishes can be. I deeply appreciated the teaching and guidance on stepping into the role of a retreat chef. Bettina and her team led the course with such wisdom, warmth, and care. It was an absolute joy to learn from such a kind and dedicated group.
Aline Bethiol Ruffini
“Having had to come from a very far away country, I can confidently say the experience was worth every moment. From day one, Bettina and Carolina welcomed us with such warmth and genuine care. The course was well paced, blending lectures, demos, hands-on practice, and group work in the most dynamic way. Bettina is a generous mentor, challenging us to grow while keeping the atmosphere light and nurturing. I left with new skills, a deeper sense of purpose, and lifelong friends. I now return home inspired to share what I’ve learned with my family, my team, and my community.
Fan
“Bettina’s Kitchen Academy has been one of the most fulfilling experiences of my life. It’s a 7-day journey full of empathy, teamwork, and love. Bettina shares her knowledge as a Retreat Chef with incredible generosity, covering everything from recipes and menu planning to budgeting and mindset. You learn to relate to food from a new perspective one rooted in joy, respect, and colour. It’s a special place where you instantly feel at home and surrounded by like-minded friends. I left inspired to continue spreading the message of a healthier, more colourful way of living.
Carolina Peñaloza
March 2025, Colombia
"An absolutely incredible time at Bettina’s Retreat Chef Academy – the whole week from start to finish was fabulous. The course was meticulously planned to get us into the mindset of both being on and catering for a retreat. Bettina and her team were friendly, approachable, and endlessly generous with their knowledge. Each day was packed with workshops, tastings, and opportunities to learn through doing. I was pushed out of my comfort zone but felt constantly supported and encouraged. I’ve come away energised, inspired, and excited to see where these new skills will take me.
Debs
November 2024
“I cannot recommend Bettina’s Retreat Chef Academy highly enough. Signing up for this course was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. The week is perfectly paced, full of learning, creativity, and laughter. Bettina and her team are so generous with their time and knowledge, and the content is incredibly rich. I left with new confidence, a deeper understanding of plant-based cooking, and friends for life. It’s a truly special experience one that feeds both your skills and your soul.
Claire Adams
March 2024
“Attending Bettina’s Retreat Chef Academy has been a dream come true. Bettina and her team create a nurturing, homely atmosphere filled with laughter and love. I was amazed by how much we covered in just one week from menu planning and budgeting to vegan cheese, sourdough, and food waste tips. Every moment felt valuable and inspiring. The group dynamic was magical, and I made lifelong friends who share the same values. This course truly is a transformative learning adventure that keeps giving long after it ends.
Caroline Roger
March 2023
“BKA exceeded my expectations by teaching with immense love and kindness. The course gave me the confidence to create nourishing, retreat-ready meals and understand the real work behind retreat catering. Bettina and Nicole shared a wealth of knowledge, from recipes and flavour balance to running a food business. Every day felt supportive, inspiring, and empowering. The week created a sense of family, and I left feeling like a cherished member of a global community. I am beyond grateful for the knowledge, kindness, and confidence they’ve given me.
Alice @wildgoosegourmets
November 2023
“It was a wonderful week learning about vegan retreat chef cooking, enriching me on many levels. As a retreat organiser, I gained invaluable insight into the perspective of a retreat chef. The course enhanced my cooking knowledge, expanded my creativity, and connected me to a passionate community. The new recipes and techniques I learned reignited my love for food. As a doctor and yoga teacher, I now see even more clearly how food shapes wellbeing and connection. I truly believe this work is a service to humanity thank you, Bettina.
Deniah @drdeniah
November 2023
“It was an amazing and inspiring week, filled with learning and connection. Meeting the other participants and exploring so many new dishes and techniques was a joy. The course gives you a full toolkit to begin your retreat chef journey with confidence. Bettina and her team create an atmosphere that’s both professional and nurturing. Every day builds your skills while keeping the experience fun and accessible. I left feeling empowered and ready to take the next step in my cooking journey.
Sam
February 2023

Your Future as a Confident, Skilled and Connected Retreat Chef

What you will gain through the course as well as benefiting from one on one coaching with Bettina for the full 7-day course, from 9:00am to 5:00pm each day

Skill [1]

You will

  • Practically learn how to cook high quality plant based meals
  • Benefit from comprehensive hands-on cooking classes in a small group setting
  • How to create your own breakfast, lunch, dinner, dessert, snacks and drinks recipes
  • Learn how to adapt your menus and ingredients for the content of each retreat
  • Learn how to cook plant-based, free-from dishes and how to accommodate allergies and intolerances
Skill [2]

Creativity and Style

  • Develop your own cooking style to enhance your employability and establish yourself within the industry
  • Explore your favourite flavours, nutritional profiles and ingredients to enhance your personal style
  • Build your confidence in the kitchen and learn how to hone your intuitive skills as a chef
Skill [3]

Business and Operations

  • Strengthen your practical and management skills and develop a business model to enable you to enter every new retreat kitchen and execute your craft with efficiency, professionalism and confidence
  • Learn how to structure and stock your kitchen, source local produce and develop strong relationships with suppliers
  • Learn how to navigate the intricacies of insurance, health and safety, staffing and invoicing without getting flummoxed!

“I am passionate about unraveling the potential of plant foods and the free from space by following easy and basic principles incorporating seasonality and local produce.”

- Bettina Campolucci Bordi

The Course outline

What you will gain through the course as well as benefitting from one on one coaching with Bettina for the full 7-day course, from 9:00am to 5:00pm each day

01 - Retreat Chef Essentials

Retreat Chef Essentials
  • Role of a Retreat Chef beyond cooking
  • Menu planning, budgeting & sourcing
  • Building seasonal, local, sustainable menus
  • Retreat flow: timing meals around activities
  • Food safety and hygiene and insurance
  • Pantry essentials: creating your retreat toolkit
  • Setting up your kitchen in ever-changing environments

02 - Plant-Based Culinary Training

Plant-Based Culinary Training
  • Plant-based cooking theory: raw food, Ayurveda, macrobiotics, vegan, allergen-free
  • Plant-based proteins: pulses, tofu making (yuba, okara), beans, grains and meal composition.
  • Basic Fermentation: kombucha, kefir, sauerkraut, kimchi, jun, quick pickles
  • From scratch: nut & seed milks, yogurts, creams, and cheeses

03 - Baking & Flours

Baking & Flours
  • Gluten-free and yeast-free breads, crackers, flatbreads, focaccia
  • Sourdough breads (non-gluten-free)
  • Pizza bases, pancakes (sweet & savoury)
  • Cakes & desserts using alternative flours
  • Creating crunch, texture, and retreat-friendly snacks

04 - Flavour & Composition

Flavour & Composition
  • Balancing meals with the 5 tastes and textures
  • Plate model: drizzle, crunch, dollop, herbs & edible flowers
  • Spices, oils, salts, sweeteners and how to use them
  • Dressings, pastes, vegan mayonnaise, and Asian-inspired sauces

05 - Breakfast & Everyday Recipes

Breakfast & Everyday Recipes
  • Porridges (sweet & savoury), chia puddings, and fritters
  • Sweet & savoury granolas, nut butters, pestos, and toppings
  • Using Climate friendly ingredients
  • Nutrient dense recipes (both sweet and savoury)

06 - Specialist Skills

Specialist Skills
  • Basic knife skills and professional kitchen organisation & equipment
  • Plant based Cheese making
  • Working with cacao
  • Cakes & desserts: gluten-free banana bread, cheesecakes, baked & raw desserts

07 - Professional & Business Development Skills

Professional & Business Development
  • Retreat kitchen organisation & staff training
  • Insurance, contracts, and negotiating your day rate
  • Workshops with guest chefs (e.g. Nicole Bernard, Bernie’s Bakehouse)

8 - Final Project

Final Project

From day one, you’ll be working on your end-of-course project: designing a full retreat menu for a specific brief. This includes:

  • Creating a menu, budget and shopping list
  • Planning and ingredient sourcing
  • Cooking and presenting an example meal
  • Demonstrating the full skillset of a Retreat Chef

8 - Career Opportunities

Career Opportunities
  • One student each year is offered a placement at a Bettina’s Kitchen Retreat to gain hands-on experience.
  • Graduates are introduced to Bettina’s retreat leader network, with real opportunities to begin paid retreat chef work worldwide.
  • 12 month free access to the chef directory
  • 12 months free access to the online community

✨ End Result: You’ll graduate with a project portfolio, professional contacts, and the confidence to launch your career as a Retreat Chef.

testimonials from our past retreat chef academy graduates

“I stumbled across this course by chance and, following my gut, decided to go for it with no expectations or plans. Within the first 5 minutes of meeting Bettina and the other students who had flown in from all over the world, I realised it was one of the best decisions of my life. The amount that we covered in 7 days was incredible and to say Bettina is absolute expert in the industry would be an understatement. I am still on a high from finishing the course and cannot wait to see where this journey takes me - this is an experience I will never forget.
Hannah
“I really loved every minute of this course! It was so well curated, thorough and inspirational and Bettina is so warm and encouraging, everyone felt at ease and happy in the space. I feel so inspired to continue with my passion, with a wealth of new skills and confidence.
Chloe
“There are so many words to describe this course, but “magical” says it best. This immersive week filled me with confidence, creativity, and connection beyond anything I expected. Bettina and her team went above and beyond to create a calm, inspiring environment that allowed real growth. The amount of knowledge shared in one week felt like months of training. Each day was packed with excitement, hands-on learning, and delicious food. It’s a true gift to yourself — an experience that stays with you long after it ends.
Rosie @thekitchenfairygirl
February 2023
“Bettina’s Chef Academy was one of the most inspiring and informative weeks of my cooking journey. We covered everything from retreat cheffing to business skills and creative recipe development. The balance of theory, demos, and practical work made every day dynamic and rewarding. Bettina creates an environment that’s uplifting, professional, and full of heart. I left the course feeling confident, energised, and ready to grow. It’s a week that offers far more than expected truly a transformative experience.
Claire
February 2023
“Just got back from the most amazing training course it was so much more than pretty plates. I learned how to manage budgets, nurture my personal brand, and cater to clients with care. Bettina and her team taught us not only techniques but also the mindset of a retreat chef. Every session built my confidence and inspired new creativity in the kitchen. The location, structure, and hands-on approach made it an unforgettable learning experience. I’m leaving full of ideas, motivation, and excitement to share my new skills.
Riccardo @TheAshramCook
February 2023
“Wow, what a week we had! I absolutely loved every part of the experience. As someone new to the wellness world and not plant-based myself, I was a little nervous, but Bettina created such a welcoming, down-to-earth environment where everyone could thrive. The teaching style was relaxed, practical, and filled with valuable content that sparked endless ideas. The group dynamic was so supportive I’ve made friends I know I’ll stay connected with. I’m leaving inspired, confident, and ready to build my own wellness retreats.
Fiona
February 2023
“I signed up for Bettina’s Retreat Chef Academy to sharpen my culinary skills and connect with like-minded people — it exceeded every expectation. The environment was warm, inclusive, and intimate, allowing everyone to learn at their own pace. The structure of the course strikes a perfect balance between hands-on learning and professional insight. Bettina is an extraordinary mentor supportive, thoughtful, and deeply inspiring. She pushed us just enough to realise how capable we are. I left feeling renewed, motivated, and certain that I made a valuable investment in my future.
Casper Homewood @alegriadining
September 2022
“As a restaurant chef transitioning into retreat work, this course was everything I hoped for — and more. We covered an incredible amount in seven days, from cooking fundamentals and nutrition to plating and guest experience. The week was immersive, engaging, and packed with practical knowledge. Bettina is an inspiring teacher generous, open, and endlessly creative. Every day was filled with learning, laughter, and delicious food. I left with a new perspective and confidence to take my career in an exciting new direction.
Je Wheeler @platesbyje
September 2022
“Bettina’s Retreat Chef Academy is a truly comprehensive course, covering everything you need to know about retreat cheffing. I learned how to plan, stock, and prepare beautiful, nutritious meals for any retreat setting. Bettina and Nicole are patient, attentive, and full of practical wisdom. The week was inspiring, uplifting, and full of laughter. I now feel ready to bring what I’ve learned into my own work as a wellness professional. This course is a must for anyone passionate about plant-based food and conscious hospitality.
Roberta King @thewellnesspro
September 2022
“Attending Bettina’s Retreat Chef Academy was the most powerful personal and professional development experience of my life. The blend of theory and practice was perfectly balanced and expertly designed. Bettina and Nicole created an environment that was nurturing, energising, and deeply inspiring. I gained practical skills, lifelong friends, and a renewed sense of purpose in my work. The connection and creativity we shared as a group were pure magic. I left feeling motivated, inspired, and ready to take my career and community to the next level.
Catherine Lawson @barefacedfood


24 Jan–1 Feb FULL | 21–29 March | 9–17 May | 11–19 July | 26 Sept–4 Oct | 14–22 Nov
‍
the retreat chef academy runs 6 times per year book now to claim your place.
‍

YOUR INVESTMENT
£3990
PAY IN FULL OR PAY IN 3 INSTALMENTS
12 months access to Bettina’s online community (cookbook, online courses)
Sourdough Starter Kit
Ongoing support and job opportunities post-graduation Alumni
Annual placement: One student per year will be offered an internship on a Bettina retreat
+ 1 x custom made Chef Knife
+ 12 months free Profile Hosting on Bettina's Kitchen Retreat Chef Directory (where clients can easily find you)
Professional Photoshoot
Career Coaching Day
Dinner with your fellow cohort
BOOK YOUR SPACE

STILL HAVE A QUESTION?

If you have any more questions about the retreat chef academy please contact us.

Contact Us

Our retreat chef academy graduates

Explore our incredible alumni and their masterpieces from all over the world. This is where you will find your next Retreat Chef to make your event extraordinary.

Explore the Directory

Rosie Healy

Casper Homewood

Chloe Horsefield

FAQs

Find answers to your most common questions about the Academy

01/
What should I bring?

Please bring a notepad and pen, and also your tablet or laptop, as this will be necessary for working on your project throughout the week.If you have your own knives that you love to use, feel free to bring them (not essential, as we will provide all equipment at the Academy).

02/
Is the food vegan?

Yes and primarily gluten free too.

03/
What is the schedule?

We start at 9:00 am everyday and finsh at 5pm

04/
Are there any excursions?

No - However we ask that you keep one evening free for a surprise!

05/
Do you provide food during the course?

We will offer breakfast snacks everyday as well as great coffee and tea. YES we will be tasting allot of food during the week. More as the week goes on!

06/
Do You help with accomodation?

Once we fill a cohort we will ask all the students if they want to share accomodation and we put you intouch with each other to organise.

Still have questions?

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