I’m Margaret Bell retreat and private chef, author and specialist in women’s gut health, hormones and nutrition.
For me, retreat food should be far more than simply “healthy”. It should be food people genuinely look forward to eating, generous, colourful, seasonal and full of flavour, while supporting how they want to feel throughout their retreat.
My approach brings together years of cooking with my work in gut health, hormones, the nervous system and food psychology. I particularly understand the changing nutritional needs of women through their 30s, 40s, 50s and beyond, and I love creating food that nourishes without ever feeling restrictive or clinical.
My private chef work has included catering for Fearne Cotton and her guests at Happy Place Festival, where I created and served breakfast, lunch and afternoon tea in a field. I have also delivered live food demonstrations at The Big Retreat Festival and am the author of The Nourish Reset and True Taste.
I’m equally happy taking complete care of the kitchen so a retreat host can concentrate on their guests, or becoming part of the retreat experience through interactive cooking sessions, food demonstrations and practical nutrition teaching.
My food is seasonal, abundant and adaptable to different dietary requirements, with a strong emphasis on gut-friendly ingredients, protein, fibre, plants and most importantly flavour.
Based in the North West, I work across the UK, particularly North Wales, Cheshire, the Lake District and surrounding areas, with travel further afield for the right retreat.
