"Best Spa Food"
Beautiful Food
Successful Destinations
Wellness tourism is reaching $1 trillion in 2024 and eventually soaring to $1.4 trillion by 2027. The unique spa and wellness destination programs are handcrafted by Chef and Clinical Nutritionist Samantha Gowing to service the niche in the global marketplace for a spa cuisine and wellness specialist in the booming arena of luxury lifestyle retreats, health spas and elegant beach resorts. Benefits to industry include intensive one-on-one training in the healing cuisines, exclusive cooking demonstrations, conference presentations ready-to-go spa food menus, management systems and kitchen templates.
Meet some of our clients
Amazing cuisine has always been a shining light at Gwinganna and this will continue with the appointment of healthy cuisine chef and clinical nutritionist, Samantha Gowing this year.
The new appointment will see further development of specialised menus, with more plant-based meals and connection to ingredients that help support optimal wellness.
Gwinganna’s General Manager, Deb Munster says, “Samantha has decades of experience and her joining our team will elevate our cuisine to a new level. Her knowledge and experience within spa and wellness cuisine is unsurpassed in this region. We are thrilled she is joining us to help guests also navigate the value and importance of their food choices when they return home.”
Consulting Wellness Chef & Nutritionist
Executive Wellness Chef & Nutritionist CSR Ambassador - Asia Pacific
Global Wellness Summit, Mexico City
Six Senses Laamu, Maldives
Sam was transported from lush Byron Bay to the turquoise waters of Laamu, invited as a guest chef to create a series of degustation dinners and spa workshops.
Working with the stellar crew at Six Senses Laamu has been a highlight of the Surf Spa Program Sam delivers. Guests were treated to an introduction to native Australian ingredients blended with her signature food as medicine culinary techniques.
Kahanda Kanda, Sri Lanka
“It has been said, by persons more uncharitable than yourself, that the best way to a man’s heart is through his stomach.
Well, Samantha Gowing, an award-winning restaurateur in her native Australia, believes that you can plough on past the heart and reach the soul. Sam’s retreat at the boutique hotel Kahanda Kanda, on a working tea estate only 30 minutes from Galle, uses food as medicine, fixing digestive disorders and food sensitivities through Zen macrobiotics and traditional Chinese medicines, as well as promoting wellness and healing with motivational mindset techniques and meditation.” The Sunday Times
Kempinski, Zanzibar, Tanzania
The Kempinski was a five-star beach hotel located on the east coast of Zanzibar, with over 110 rooms and a handful of suites and private villas it is certainly one of the largest hotels on the island. You will find a good standard of facilities here as you would at any Kempinski chain around the world. Although the hotel does not has its own beach in front of the hotel, you can take a short drive in a golf cart to their beach which is also partnered with a very good water sports centre where you can dive, snorkel and arrange sailing lessons.
Gwinganna Lifestyle Retreat
“It is my pleasure to introduce Samantha Gowing. A talented woman, Sam has proven skills and expertise as a nutritionist she is a wonderful chef and is an excellent business woman. She is rare talent who will tantalise your tastebuds, educate your mind, develop your business acumen and delight your clients. Enjoy!” Sharon Kolkka, Former GM.
Sam was engaged to be the agent for change for the kitchen and redesign the entire menu format in 2016. Having worked with the retreat for over ten years in various roles as yoga and Pilates instructor, nutritionist, duty manager and guest chef.
Casa Luna, Ubud, Bali
“It all began with yoga and the idea of a good health, well-being, yoga festival in Ubud. It transpired into a friendship across the seas that has spanned a decade of jokes and joyous meetings. It has been said we are like sisters and there is no doubt that there is a timeless bond that unites us. Our medicine is love and laughter and, between the two of us, we are very good at that! Sam’s knowledge about the secret life of food is extraordinary and I bow to her endless knowledge on all that is edible.”
Janet DeNeefe, Casa Luna, Bali
Cabarita Ocean Health Retreat, NSW
“The food prepared by brilliant Executive Chef Samantha Gowing was delicious and therapeutic and helped us all detox in the most pleasant way. The ingredients sourced locally are fresh and full of flavour and our meals included lots of vegetables, fruits, fish, meat, chicken and seafood and all special diets and allergies were catered for. The menu was primarily free of dairy, gluten, caffeine and sugar and after a couple of days I lost my sugar and other cravings. By the end of the week everyone was glowing with vitality.” “Best Spa Food” – Sydney Morning Herald
Grail Springs, Canada
The Four Seasons, Jimbaran, Bali
Sheltered in a calm bay along three miles of sand, our breezy villas channel an authentic Balinese village. Together with unforgettable views and authentic arts offerings, we bring you a deeper understanding of the island’s stunning landscapes and inimitable culture. We created a beautiful spa menu of healing juices, jamu tonics and refreshments.
The Byron at Byron
Our interactive, team building incentives for the Byron at Byron Resort & Spa include Corporate MasterChef events, Superfood Challenges, Food As Medicine Keynote address and exclusive, hands on culinary masterclasses. Positioned only minutes to the iconic melting pot of Byron town, this world class resort is your perfect place to get away from it all, a place that allows you to unwind, relax and rejuvenate. Book a treatment at the resort’s luxurious day spa.
