Retreat Chef
I began cooking for retreats locally in Manitou Springs, Colorado, in 2021, and I have been working with Walker Wellness Retreats- specializing in Yoga and Hiking Retreats in National Parks around the US- since 2023.
I specialize in working with dietary restrictions- including Gluten Free, Dairy Free, Vegan, Vegetarian, Fod-Mop, and Processed Sugar Free. I can customize entire menus to fit these, or adapt portions for individuals with these specific needs.
Retreats can be such a tender space of growth, and we understand the importance of everyone’s needs being acknowledged, and feeling cared for and nourished in these spaces.
Continental Breakfast:
Sweet - Berries, yogurts, pumpkin seeds, coconut, granola, almond butter & jam
Savory - Avocado, fresh basil walnut pesto (V), sliced tomatoes, greens, hardboiled eggs, breads & butter
Hot Breakfast Options w/ Yogurt, Berries, Granola & Pumpkin Seeds:
Breakfast Bowls
Spinach, Soft Fried Eggs and/or Baked Tofu, Breakfast Sausage/Faux Sausage, Quinoa, Avocado, Goat Cheese; Sorrel & Fennel Yogurt Sauce (V possible upon request); Roasted Sweet Potatoes & Beets
Banana Oat Pancakes (GF)(V optional)
Fresh Blueberries, Cardamom Maple Syrup; Scrambled Eggs or Tofu Scramble (Vegan Option); Bacon or Breakfast Sausage/Faux Sausage
Toast Bar
Baked Sourdough Bread Loaves (V and GF option also upon request), Fried Eggs, Basil & Walnut Pesto (V)(GF), Avocados, Tomatoes; Bacon or Breakfast Sausage/Faux Sausage; Greens & Basil Honey Balsamic Vinaigrette (Vege)(GF)
Chimichurri & Polenta Eggs Benedict
Baked Polenta (V)(GF), Poached Eggs, Fresh Chimichurri (V)(GF), Crema (V possible upon request); Sauteed Mushrooms, Zucchini, Onions & Peppers; Bacon or Breakfast Sausage/Faux Sausage
Veggie Fritters
Zucchini, Carrots & Onions Fritters (Vege)(GF), Poached Eggs, Lemon Cilantro Yogurt Sauce (V possible upon request); Chicken Breakfast Sausage or Faux Sausage; Roasted Potatoes & Sweet Potatoes
Veggie & Herb Fritatta (Vege)
Roasted Sweet Potatoes & Beets (V)(GF); Bacon or Chicken Breakfast Sausage/Faux Sausage
Sweet Potato & Potato Crusted Quiche (GF)
Asparagus, Goat Cheese & Herbs; Fresh Fruit; Bacon or Chicken Breakfast Sausage/Faux Sausage
Lunch Options (All Vegetarian, Added Meat optional):
Nicoise Salads (Vege)(GF)
Hardboiled Eggs, Chickpeas, Steamed Green Beans, Olives, Tomatoes, Boiled Potatoes & Sauteed Red Onion
Basil Honey Balsamic Vinaigrette (Vege)(GF) & Green Goddess Dressing (V)(GF)
Side: Roasted Beet Hummus (V)(GF)
Toasted Sourdough Bread (GF Bread option also upon request) & Herbed Butter (GF)
Soup & Salad Combos
Soup: Green Lentil with Winter Squash, Kale, Onions & Peppers (V)(GF)(added chicken sausage optional)
Salad: Farm Greens with Red Onions, Feta, Sunflower Seeds with Pickled Carrot & Honey Vinaigrette (Vege)(GF) and Basil Honey Balsamic Vinaigrette (Vege)(GF)
Side: Whole Grain Tortilla Chips (V)(GF) & Roasted Carrot Dip (V)(GF)(preserved lemon, sumac, sesame seeds & olive oil)
Soup: Roasted Winter Squash & Carrot with Cashew, Chickpea & Coconut Milk Base (V)(GF); Salsa Macha (mild)(V)(GF); Crema (V upon request) & Cilantro Garnish
Salad: Greens, Queso Blanco, Zucchini, Roasted Red Peppers, Onions and Mushroom with Aleppo Pepper, Roasted Tomato and Honey Vinaigrette (Vege)(GF)(added chicken optional)
Side: Tortilla Chips & Farm Roasted Tomatillo Salsa (V)
Soup: Miso w/ Shitake Mushrooms, Napa Cabbage & Scallions (V)
Main: Lemongrass Tofu Bahn Mi Bowls (V)(GF)
Baked Lemongrass Tofu, Rice Noodles, Pickled Cucumbers, Shredded Carrots, Scallions, Lettuce, Fried Garlic, Cilantro, Hoisin & Chili Garlic Sauce
Side: Sweet & Sticky Cauliflower “Wings” (V)(GF upon request) on a bed of Napa Cabbage w/ Ginger Coconut Amino Dipping Sauce
Main, Starter & Salad
Main: Cashew Chicken or Tofu (GF) - Broccoli, Scallions & Peppers, Basil Garnish; Chili Garlic Sauce; Jasmine or Brown Rice (GF)
Starter: Scallion Pancakes w/ Sesame Soy Dipping Sauce (Vege)(GF upon request)
Salad: Napa Cabbage, Edamame, Red Onion, Cucumbers & Peanut Ginger Dressing (V)(GF)
Main: Chicken or Tofu Thai Yellow Coconut Curry - Sweet Potatoes, Red Peppers, Onions & Cauliflower; Basil Garnish; Chili Garlic Sauce; Jasmine or Brown Rice
Starter: Cucumber Salad w/ Rice Wine Vinaigrette (Vege)(GF)
Salad: Larb Tofu Lettuce Wraps (V)(GF)
Dinner Options:
Taco Bar
Tequila, Lime & Cilantro Chicken Thighs, Roasted Mushrooms, Cauliflower & Caramelized Onions (Seasoned Black Beans Vegan Option)(GF); Charred Kale, Lime & Cilantro Crema (Vege)(GF); Queso Blanco (Vege)(GF); Limes, Pickled Red Onions, Flour/Corn Tortillas
Grilled Vegetable Salad (V) - Greens, Sweet Peppers, Zucchini, Onions & Pepitas - w/ Ancho Orange & Honey Dressing (mild)(Vege)(GF) or Sweet & Tangy Slaw (Vege)(GF)
Chicken Piccata or Pork Loin w/ a Honey, Thyme, Mustard & White Wine Sauce (GF)
Field Roast Sausages or Lentil Loaf (Vegan Option); Wild Rice Pilaf (craisins, apples, caramelized onions, herbs & walnuts)(Vege)(GF); Roasted Zucchini, Criminis & Garlic (V)(GF)
Spinach Salad w/ Goat Cheese, Red Peppers, Red Onions & Walnuts (Vege)(GF)
Pick Two: Ranch (V Optional)(GF); Basil Honey Balsamic Vinaigrette (DF)(GF); ; Roasted Apple, Shallot, Maple Syrup & Thyme Vinaigrette (V)(GF); Pickled Carrot, Fennel & Honey (DF)(GF) or Green Goddess (V or Vege)(GF)
Greek Chicken and/or Beef Skewers
Housemade Baked Falafel (GF & Vegan option only, or +$5 per person); Tzatziki (Vege; V upon request)(GF); Roasted Garlic, Tahini & Lemon Sauce (V)(GF); Pita/Flatbread
Pick Two:
Greek Salad (tomatoes, cucumbers, red onions, feta & olives)(Vege)(GF)
Quinoa Tabbouleh (V)(GF)
or
Roasted Carrots w/ Sumac & Honey (Vege)(GF)
Wild Caught White Fish (+$5 per person)
Verde Sauce (charred kale, fennel fronds, parsley, sorrel, grilled zucchini, lime & butter)(GF)
Garlic Mashed Potatoes (GF); Roasted Mushrooms, Zucchini & Garlic (V)(GF);
Spinach Salad w/ Pepitas, Goat Cheese, Blueberries, Red Onions & Sweet Bell Peppers
Pick Two: Ranch (V Optional)(GF); Basil Honey Balsamic Vinaigrette (DF)(GF); Roasted Apple, Shallot, Maple Syrup & Thyme Vinaigrette (V)(GF); Pickled Carrot, Fennel & Honey (DF)(GF) or Green Goddess (V or Vege)(GF)
Hand Made Gnocchi (Regular & GF/V also possible) with Roasted Chicken Breasts or Wild Caught Baked Salmon (+$5 per person)
Basil Walnut Pesto (V), Blistered Tomatoes & Parmesan (on side); Roasted Asparagus (V)(GF)
Arugula Salad w/ Feta, Apples, Celery & Red Onions
Pick Two: Ranch (V Optional); Basil Honey Balsamic Vinaigrette (DF)(GF); Pickled Carrot, Fennel & Honey (DF)(GF); Roasted Apple, Shallot, Maple Syrup & Thyme Vinaigrette (V)(GF) or Green Goddess (V or Vege)(GF)
Shrimp & Sirloin Skewers w/ Red Peppers, Zucchini, Mushrooms & Onions (GF)
Chimichurri (V)(GF); Avocado, Corn & Tomato Salad (V)(GF); Cornbread w/ Honey Butter (V/GF upon request); Smashed Red Potatoes w/ Chived Sour Cream (GF)(V upon request)
Dessert Options:
(made only with low glycemic sweeteners - coconut nectar & sugar, agave, raw honey, maple syrup or monk fruit sweetener)
Flourless Chocolate Torte (V)(GF) w/ Raspberry or Dark Cherry Rosé Sauce & Fresh Vanilla Whipped Cream or Coconut Whipped Cream (V)
Avocado Chocolate Mousse, Coconut Whipped Cream, Grilled Pineapple or Mango & Red Raspberries w/ Lime Zest (V)(GF)
Apple Blueberry Oat Crisp w/ Vanilla Ice Cream (V & GF possible)
Peach Cobbler w/ Thyme & Cornmeal Dumplings served w/ Vanilla Ice Cream (V & GF possible)
Lime & Coconut Bars; Graham Cracker & Toasted Coconut Crust; Garnished with Fresh Raspberries (V & GF possible)
Organic Truffles (V or DF)(GF)
Pick Two:
Peruvian Dark Chocolate
Blackberry & Nib
Chiapas Coffee
Sage & Olive Oil
Lavender, Toasted Coconut & Honey
Toasted Coconut & Honey
Turmeric, Ginger, Toasted Coconut & Honey
Honey Masala Chai & Toasted Coconut
Rose & Honey Caramel