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Julia Martin, Retreat Chef

Specialities

  • Allergy-aware cooking
  • Vegan & vegetarian cuisine
  • Persian & Middle Eastern flavours
  • Ayurvedic-inspired meals
  • 200-hour certified yoga teacher
  • Fermentation enthusiast
  • Zero-waste advocate
  • Champion of whole foods & no ultra-processed ingredients

What You’ll Find on a Retreat with Me

  • I source locally whenever possible, connecting with farmers and producers as soon as I arrive.
  • My cooking comes straight from the heart—fresh vegetables, vibrant spices, and flavours inspired by cuisines from around the world.
  • I love experimenting with new recipes and ideas, while always staying true to my values: zero waste, low sugar, and no processed foods.
  • My aim is to nourish and support the immune system through thoughtful, delicious meals.
  • I enjoy hosting cooking demos and sharing practical knowledge that guests can easily take home – simple tips, recipe cards, and inspiration for everyday cooking. One of my greatest joys is seeing guests recreate the dishes at home and share their beautiful photos with me.

Get to Know Me

My love for cooking began as a child, standing by the stove with my mum, using only local produce, no freezer in sight. From those early days, I fell in love with flavours and the magic of the cooking process: the heat source, the layering of spices and herbs. I still dream about cooking. Over 14 years ago, I started an outdoor catering business focused on Persian and Middle Eastern cuisine, vegan food, and allergy-aware cooking. Along the way, I’ve had many adventures, with yoga always by my side. In 2021, I completed my 200-hour yoga teacher training in Bali.

My cooking continues to evolve, and I deeply enjoy the creative challenge of working in different countries and discovering what each local market has to offer. The guests on retreat are a true bonus—forming wonderful friendships and sharing food journeys together. Most recently, I’ve entered a new and exciting phase of fermentation. Experimenting with ferments has been an absolute joy.

Extra Skills & Techniques

  • Gluten-free baking
  • Fermentation & kimchi experimentation
  • Allergy awareness
  • EHO Level 3 certified

My Favourite Retreat Experience

That’s a hard one—but Santorini holds a special place in my heart. The island, the people, the retreat venues—it was all breath-taking. The local produce was incredible, the weather divine, and sailing there was simply unforgettable.

Additional Details

  • Retreat location(s):UK - England, UK - Northern Ireland, UK - Scotland, UK - Wales, Austria, Benelux, Croatia, Cyprus, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Other Europe, Portugal, Scandinavia, Spain, Ibiza & other Balearic Islands, Mallorca, Switzerland, Turkey
  • Retreat duration:Day retreat, 2-3 days, 4-6 days, 7-10 days, 11-14 days, 15+ days
  • Meal format(s):Budget/Simple, Family style, Plated
  • Food type(s):Vegan, Vegetarian
  • Specialities:Allergy-friendly, Ayurveda, Cooking demos, Seasonal food, Workshops
  • Group size(s):up to 8 people, 9 - 12 people, 13 - 17 people, 18 - 20 people, 21+ people
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    10 Reviews for @retreat_chef

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    Melissa

    1 Reviews

    Wonderfully nourishing food!

    5.0/ 5

    I am not long back from a yoga retreat where Julia was the retreat chef (!) and Julia’s food really made the retreat for me. Julia’s dishes were thoughtfully put together and participants’ intolerances and allergies were carefully considered. Her food was heartwarming and soul nourishing. It also was real! As many of you will know retreats make you hungry (!) and Julia was able to put together wholesome meals that set us up for practice and adventure. Julia also made the kitchen a warm and welcoming place to be and her enthusiasm and generosity in sharing ideas about recipes or things to try was infectious. Her food and ideas stay with you even once the retreat experience is complete. Highly recommended!

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    Marlene

    1 Reviews

    YUM!!

    5.0/ 5

    Julia is a wonderful retreat chef! Delicious and filling meals, healthy options (including fantastic desserts!), flexible with dietary requirements and preferences, and very mindful when it came to sustainable food practices. She’s also a delightful human being and provided loads of inspiration, tips and tricks for recipes to take home. Thank you, it was a pleasure to sit at your table!

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    Elen Richards

    1 Reviews

    Fabulous Food

    5.0/ 5

    Julia’s range of meals and treats on our yoga retreat were simply delicious, healthy and so varied at every sitting over the weekend. Her ability to create such a variety of dishes with so many flavours and colour across every meal, without wasting anything was incredible, she makes it look so simple but it’s with a great deal of thought and consideration of every thing she has to hand, while satisfying all our taste buds! She’s a joyful soul and a pleasure to have a cuppa with. Looking forward to our next retreat in the Summer. Thank you xx

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    LucyB

    1 Reviews

    Fantastic food & company!

    5.0/ 5

    What a treat having Julia cook for us at our Norfolk yoga retreat. Her food was absolutely delicious, fresh and satisfying while not being heavy. Every meal was a delight & she was fabulous company too. Many thanks

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    Fran

    1 Reviews

    Deliciously healthy and beautifully presented!

    5.0/ 5

    It was a huge treat to have such a wonderful, colourful array of nutritious, tasty plates served to us over our retreat weekend. Thank you to Julia and team for sharing your culinary talents with us all! 😊

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    Teresa

    1 Reviews

    Amazing clean food

    5.0/ 5

    After just coming back from a wellness retreat at Chaucer Barn we had the joy of being cooked for by Julia and although I’m not vegetarian/vegan I do love healthy, good food and found the meals cooked for us and prepared were amazing so tasty and enjoyed everything about the menus. I especially loved the curry and also how basic foods could be so interesting and tasty. Julia was extremely friendly and a great host so thank you ☺️

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    Calli

    1 Reviews

    Creative, comforting and delicious

    5.0/ 5

    Julia was an absolute joy to have as our chef. The food was creative, varied and delicious. I tried dishes I had never tried before and loved every single one. She took the time to explain each dish with so much care and passion and that made the experience feel even more special. Beyond the food, Julia herself was like a ray of sunshine. Warm, easy to connect with and a pleasure to be around. I hope our paths cross again and I am so grateful to have had her as our chef for the retreat.

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    YogawithLucy

    1 Reviews

    Inspirational and friendly soul food catering

    5.0/ 5

    THANK YOU so much for all the soul food on our Yoga Retreat weekends in Norfolk! Our guests love indulging in your tasty delights and colourful feasts. I highly recommend you and your fabulous team to everyone who would like Inspirational and friendly Catering! Looking forward to more of your nourishing and fresh food…

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    Nancy

    1 Reviews

    Best vegetarian food ever!!!

    5.0/ 5

    We were thrilled to have Chef Julia and her team cater our weekend wellness retreat! Her passion for vegetarian cuisine made every meal a delight with vibrant, flavourful dishes that exceeded all expectations. Many guests shared it was the best vegetarian food they’ve ever tasted. Each meal was thoughtfully crafted and beautifully presented. Thank you Julia & team for making this experience unforgettable – we can’t wait to work with you again!

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    Ali P

    1 Reviews

    PERFECT choices

    5.0/ 5

    Going on a wellbeing retreat without any previous experience is daunting in itself… to not have to think about food and options, cooking and clearing up was amazing. Julia was incredible producing masses of fresh foods, cooked options, healthy sweet choices and catering for everyone’s needs. And very easy to be around but saw when it was right to move away. Thank you.

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