I see retreats as a place to connect, expand, and nourish, whether their intention is yoga, personal development, meditation, dance, or entrepreneurial. As both a private chef and a dedicated consultant, I specialize in enriching retreats with not just meals, but transformative culinary experiences. Whether the retreat focuses on yoga, personal development, meditation, dance, or entrepreneurship, I understand deeply how essential nourishing, intentional food is to the overall experience. Since 2014, I’ve been passionately matching the energy of each retreat with vibrant, thoughtfully prepared dishes that elevate the entire gathering.
Retreats have been my primary culinary focus since 2014, and I’ve pioneered the yoga retreat catering industry and mentored many connected and aspiring chefs through my online platform More Pleaze and offer retreat catering services on Maui through my private chef company, Lotus Chefs
At Lotus Chefs, our all-female team in Maui tailors each menu to perfectly complement your retreat’s theme, weaving local ingredients with holistic nutrition to support and inspire every participant. My training spans several prestigious institutions and culinary practices, including Holistic Nutrition from Hawthorn University, Le Cordon Bleu culinary arts and hospitality at the California Culinary Academy, and specialized studies in Ayurvedic cooking through Hale Pule, raw food cuisine, and Hawaiian medicinal food. Beyond the kitchen, my life as a yoga teacher allows me to integrate wellness seamlessly into every aspect of our catering service.
But it’s not just about the food. I bring a whole heart and spirit to each event, complete with aligned assistants—often fellow yoga teachers—who share our vision. We provide more than just meals; we craft an atmosphere that includes intentional beverages, sacred spaces, and even spiritual elements like altars and oracle cards to support the journey of every individual present.
Living and loving life in Maui, I’m deeply connected to the island’s bountiful produce and proud to collaborate with local vendors and retreat centers. Although Maui is home, I often find myself in California and other parts of the world, bringing a piece of my heart and my culinary art to every table.
It’s crucial to me that I enhance each retreat by empowering both the dedicated leaders and participants with nourishing food. I’m also excited to extend my expertise to fellow chefs through private chef coaching and custom designs, focusing on the health and wellness niche of retreat catering.
Retreat catering is a labor of love—physically demanding yet immensely fulfilling. It’s my privilege to contribute to these sacred gatherings, helping to nourish and inspire every soul we touch. Thank you for considering me to support your journey. Together, let’s make your vision beautifully unforgettable.
I view retreats as sanctuaries to connect, expand, and nourish—where the food’s energy is essential to their harmony.
What skills are needed for retreat catering?
1
Versatility in the Kitchen
Retreat catering demands adaptability as chefs must cater to diverse dietary preferences and restrictions. Being able to swiftly adjust recipes to accommodate needs such as gluten-free or vegan options is crucial for guest satisfaction.
2
Understanding of Local Purveyors
Building relationships with local suppliers and understanding the seasonal availability of ingredients is key. This not only supports the local economy but also ensures that the meals are fresh and tailored to what’s naturally available.
3
Organization & Attention to Detail
Effective retreat catering requires meticulous planning and organization. From managing diverse kitchen environments to adjusting menus based on guest feedback, every detail counts. This includes precise cost management, equipment readiness, and the ability to present well-structured proposals.
4
Stamina and Resilience
The demanding nature of retreat catering requires physical stamina and mental resilience. Long hours on your feet, managing back-to-back meal preparations while maintaining food safety, and ensuring timely service are all part of the job. A strong stamina helps you keep up the pace and quality throughout the event.
5
Cultural Sensitivity and Flexibility
Working in diverse settings often with specific intentional teachings at the center of the retreat, chefs need to be culturally aware and flexible. Understanding and respecting various culinary traditions and dietary practices, along with supporting various energetic expressions is essential for creating a welcoming and inclusive dining experience.
6
Creative Menu Planning
Designing menus that delight and surprise guests while also adhering to dietary restrictions and preferences requires creativity and innovation. A successful retreat chef needs to think outside the box, offering unique dishes that highlight local flavors and cater to a range of dietary needs, making each meal memorable and satisfying.
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“Our family owns multiple restaurants in both Chicago and Seattle, some for more than 30 years. During that time we’ve sampled the food of dozens of chefs who wanted to work for us, including CIA grads and some with Michelin stars. KYRA RANKS AT THE VERY TOP. With her terrific assistants, Heidi and Allisa, Kyra created an incredible 6 course dinner and served 10 of us with incredible style and timing from the miniscule kitchen of our hotel suite. We’ve eaten in fine restaurants all over the world (including our own) and would rate the meal Kyra created for us as truly among the very best. You’ll be lucky if you can book her!”
Dan RosenthalRestauranteur, Pike Place Hospitality Group, Seattle
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“Kyra was so accommodating to my picky eater status. She called me ahead of the retreat to ensure she had food for the week that I would be able to enjoy. I was very appreciative. Throughout the week I ate way more than I thought I would and even tried some new foods I had never had before. She is an amazing, creative chef who I highly recommend!”
Brittany MacKinnonMother and cancer survivor, Project Koru
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“Kyra and her team provided us with a world-class experience of cuisine during our company retreat in Maui. She also helped get us in touch with other amazing people in the hospitality industry that included a mixologist, massage therapist, and more. Highly recommend!”
Armon PetrossianFounder & CEO, Coalesce Software
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“Kyra is amazing! She was always pleasant and very responsive to my emails. Meeting her in person was a delight with her upbeat personality and love for her craft! She is skilled and creative. The plant based meal she created for us was thoughtful and delicious! Each dish is beautifully prepared and presented with attention to every detail. She went above and beyond our expectations! If you are looking for an extraordinary experience I highly recommend Kyra-you will not be disappointed!”
Janice WrenProfessional vacationer and foodie
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“Kyra is pure magic! I worked with Kyra to create a stunning picnic on the beach in Hawaii, and her food was so delicioius. On top of that, she helped to coordinate a gorgeous picnic set up with some of her colleagues out there, and holy MOLY was the result incredible. She *even* helped us get a few professional photographs--which speak for themselves. If you are looking for any kind of catering or prepared meals, Kyra infuses all that she makes with pure love. Thank you for making our experience so special, Kyra!”
“I had the pleasure of hiring Kyra to cater my most recent ShaktiRize retreat in Maui. She showed up on so many levels, from bringing altars, to Kangan water, to dropping into class with the other women. The menu was fully vegan and gluten-free and was not only delicious, but also intentional and presented beautifully. She put a lot of work into featuring local vendors and produce. I can't wait to work with her again.”
