Plant-Based Retreat Chef & Holistic Wellness Facilitator | Melissa Delport

I’m Melissa Delport, an integrative nutrition health coach, professional private chef, and published cookbook author specializing in vibrant, plant-based nutrition. Based in London and working globally, I curate deeply nourishing, high-vibrational culinary experiences that beautifully bridge the gap between conscious food, holistic wellness, and mindful living.

Whether you are an individual seeking a restorative wellness journey or a retreat host looking for an expert retreat chef in the United Kingdom or Europe, I am here to bring your culinary and wellness vision to life.

Bespoke Wellness Retreats (UK & Worldwide)

Every retreat is a custom-curated, holistic experience tailored to your theme. Available for bookings in the UK, London, Cape Town, South Africa, Europe, and inspiring destinations worldwide, my retreat services seamlessly integrate:

  • Organic, Plant-Led Cuisine: Menus custom-designed around food as medicine, food allergies, and seasonal abundance.

  • Mindful Cooking Workshops: Hands-on classes empowering guests with intuitive, health-conscious culinary techniques.

  • Holistic Integration: Collaborative experiences that can include yoga, sound healing, and nervous system resetting.

Are you a retreat space owner or facilitator? I love collaborating with fellow wellness leaders. If you are looking for a reliable, premium freelance retreat chef and holistic health coach to elevate your next guest experience, please reach out directly.

Upcoming Wellness Events & Retreats

The Oak House Retreat | September 13, 2026

Join me for an intimate, deeply nourishing day retreat at The Oak House on Sunday, 13 September 2026 together with Katie George @beinghumanwell.

Spaces are strictly limited to preserve a sacred, intentional group container. Fill out the inquiry form below to receive the full itinerary and secure your spot.

Let’s Connect & Collaborate

If you are ready to book an upcoming event, join the seasonal retreat waitlist, or discuss a private chef collaboration, please get in touch.

  • Inquire via Form: Please fill out the booking form below with your event details.

  • Direct Email: Connect directly at hello@melissa-delport.com

  • Follow the Journey: Catch a glimpse behind the scenes of my latest menus, recipes, and wellness adventures on Instagram at @melissa__delport (note the double underscore!).

A LIFE-CHANGING FIRST RETREAT: DELICIOUS PLANT-BASED NUTRITION AND MINDFUL COOKING INSPIRATION

“This was my first ever retreat and it was honestly life-changing. Melissa creates an environment that feels very familial and supportive so you feel comfortable to be your authentic self in an environment that calls for it.

I learned so much with regards to plant-based and healthier food/nutrition options; I also bought her recipe book, 'HEAL', which has honestly been so helpful and the recipes are delicious and homey. This was such an educational experience and I have been inspired each day in the kitchen and within myself to be mindful and present.

Thank you to Melissa—it was a very special experience, thank you for making it so memorable!” - Angela

Experience the Transformation: What Retreat Guests Say

Reclaiming Well-Being: A Guest’s Experience of Mindfulness and Nutrition at Melissa's Wellness Retreat

“It was such a great weekend away, to share time with ladies from all walks of life with common interests and health goals. Melissa helped me learn how to pause and be more mindful about my health and how proper nutrition plays a huge role in our mental, emotional, and physical well-being. I left the weekend feeling extremely well-rested and wanting to take better care of myself going forward.” — Sam

 

A Truly Nourishing Experience: Plant-Based Cuisine, Meditation, and Lasting Energy

About Melissa: Melissa seamlessly integrates the multiple aspects of health and well-being, and I appreciated that she could hold the space for us to pause and become mindful of how our daily practices, from eating to self-talk, influence our lives to inviting in balance.

About the Retreat: If I had to select one word to describe the retreat, it would be "nourishing." Not only did we experience unique and delicious plant-based food, but the entire experience left me feeling refreshed and committed to making more wholesome choices (food and otherwise) going forward.

I especially enjoyed the meditation and reflection sessions, as these gave me time to absorb all the positive energy from the experience. It's been one month since the retreat, and I am feeling more energized and healthy than I have felt in a very long time! — Melvi

About Melissa Delport | Plant-Based Private Chef & Holistic Health Coach

As an international intuitive chef and certified integrative holistic health coach, I specialize in creating high-vibrational, plant-based culinary experiences that are as deeply nourishing as they are visually spectacular. My unique approach merges advanced health and wellness principles with luxury catering, utilizing food as medicine to heal, ground, and inspire.

Based in London and available for global travel, I partner with private individuals, corporate groups, and wellness hosts to bring conscious, plant-led dining to life.

Luxury Plant-Based Catering & Private Chef Services

For those seeking an exclusive culinary experience for private functions, boutique events, or intimate gatherings, I bring a sophisticated, plant-led menu that celebrates abundant flavors, rustic simplicity, and exceptional quality ingredients.

Whether you are looking to hire a private chef in London or require tailored menus for an international event, my bespoke services are custom-tailored to your unique requirements:

  • Intuitive, Seasonal Menus: I design custom menus anchored by local, seasonal produce and an extensive repertoire of original recipes from my two acclaimed cookbooks, Heal and Wholesome Bowls.

  • Sustainable Ingredient Sourcing: I personally source pristine, ethically grown ingredients, prioritizing sustainability and small-scale local producers.

  • Family-Style Presentation: True connection happens over shared food. All on-site cooking is presented beautifully on lavish, communal sharing platters.

  • Inclusive Dietary Customisation: My premium, fully vegetarian service includes an expansive array of vegan, grain-free, nut-free, and refined sugar-free options to flawlessly cater to all guest sensitivities. Not to worry, meat can be beautifully prepared on request using ethically and quality produce.

  • Educational Wellness Experiences: Elevate your event with live talks on intuitive nutrition, mindful cooking workshops, and private culinary classes.

Intentional Culinary Curation for Wellness Retreats

On a holistic wellness retreat, food should never be an afterthought—it is a core pillar of the healing process. I design my menus with deep energetic intention, setting gentle boundaries that allow guests to step away from modern dietary distractions and engage fully in their inner work.

By surrendering to nutrient-dense, plant-based whole foods, your guests will experience a profound nervous system reset that fosters both physical and emotional healing. As a dedicated freelance retreat chef in the UK and Europe, my goal is to nourish souls, spark authentic connection, and inspire long-term, mindful eating habits long after the retreat container closes.

My Philosophy as an Intuitive Chef

Being an intuitive chef means expanding our understanding of food far beyond its basic caloric or nutritional value. It is about recognizing the profound mental, emotional, and spiritual impact of how we interact with what we eat.

My mission is to elevate the joy and connection we feel in the kitchen. I do not believe in labeling ingredients as “good” or “bad,” nor do I ever promote restrictive, toxic dieting. Instead, my philosophy champions culinary abundance, body intuition, and self-empowerment. Through this lens, we can cultivate a fearless, deeply joyful relationship with food—making conscious choices that honour our physical and spiritual needs.

What is Intuitive Cooking?

Intuitive cooking is the art of relying on your inner wisdom rather than just a written recipe. It is an adaptive approach that considers the micro-seasons, your immediate environment, your senses, and your current emotional state. It is about cooking with absolute confidence—trusting your eyes, hands, and palate over measuring spoons.

This philosophy is deeply rooted in my professional culinary background and a lifelong love of gathering, nurtured by foundational memories of my mother’s table and my grandmother’s kitchen.

Collaborate with Melissa

Are you ready to elevate your upcoming event, or are you a retreat facilitator looking for a trusted culinary partner? Let’s create a memorable, health-conscious experience tailored perfectly to your vision.