A 9-day immersive chef training in Málaga, Spain.
Learn the principles, techniques, and creativity behind exceptional plant-based cooking, not just recipes.
Designed for curious home cooks and culinary professionals alike, the retreat combines hands-on practice with a structured learning journey that builds day by day, helping you understand food more deeply and cook with greater confidence long after the retreat ends.
MAY 21st to 30th, 2027
LATE SEPTEMBER, 2027
EARLY OCTOBER, 2027
9 DAYS, 8 NIGHTS
GO DIRECTLY TO APPLY
What You'll Experience
This is more than a series of cooking classes. It's nine days of living and breathing food. From the moment the day begins until dinner is served, you'll be immersed in exceptional ingredients, new techniques, shared meals, and people who are just as passionate about food as you are.
Think Like a Cook
More than collecting recipes, you'll learn how to think about food. Discover how flavors are built, how textures work together, why certain techniques succeed, and how to confidently adapt recipes to the ingredients you have available at home.
By the end of the retreat, the goal isn't simply to recreate the dishes you've made here, but to leave with the confidence and understanding to keep creating, experimenting, and growing in your own kitchen for years to come.
Hands-On Workshops
Every workshop combines explanation, demonstration, discussion, tasting, and plenty of time in the kitchen. Whether you're learning fermentation, baking bread, making plant-based cheeses, building sauces, or exploring knife skills, you'll be encouraged to ask questions, understand the "why" behind each technique, and get your hands dirty throughout the process. Each workshop builds naturally on the previous one, gradually developing both your skills and confidence in the kitchen.
Exceptional Ingredients
There's a reason we host the retreat in Málaga. It is one of Europe's richest regions for fresh produce, making it the perfect setting for a culinary retreat. Throughout the week we'll work with sun-ripened tomatoes, mangoes, avocados, cherimoyas, citrus, fresh herbs, locally grown vegetables, exceptional olive oil, almonds, and many other seasonal ingredients sourced from nearby farms and producers whenever possible. Great cooking starts with great ingredients, and there's no better classroom than the place where they're grown.
Around The Table
The learning doesn't stop when the workshop ends. Mornings often begin with an optional workout before breakfast, while the afternoons and evenings leave time to enjoy the slower rhythm of life in southern Spain. We'll share long meals around the table, visit a local organic farm, spend time at the beach or by the pool, sweat in the sauna, play games in the evenings, take an evening walk in the hills, and simply enjoy good conversations with people who share a genuine love for food.
The Curriculum
Every day has its own focus, with each workshop building naturally on the previous one. Rather than treating each topic in isolation, you'll revisit techniques and ingredients throughout the retreat, gradually connecting them into a deeper understanding of food and cooking.
From fermentation and plant-based cheeses to breads, sauces, desserts, knife skills, menu development, and much more, the curriculum is designed to help you build lasting skills, not simply collect recipes.
Explore the journey day by day below:
This retreat is for you if...
- You are fascinated by food and want to spend 9 days immersed in it.
- You love discovering new ingredients, fruits, flavors, techniques, and cuisines from around the world.
- You want to go beyond following recipes and better understand why dishes work, how flavors interact, and how to create meals with confidence.
- You are curious about fresh, seasonal, high-raw plant-based cuisine and want to explore it without rigid rules or dogma.
- You want practical experience with techniques such as fermentation, sprouting, plant-based cheeses, sauces, dressings, dehydrating, healthy cooking, knife skills and plating.
- You enjoy tasting, experimenting, asking questions, observing demonstrations, and learning by doing.
- You are open to feedback and willing to challenge yourself in the kitchen.
- You are comfortable working in a shared kitchen environment and learning alongside others.
- You want skills, techniques, and principles that you can take home and apply using the ingredients and tools available to you.
- You are a complete beginner, passionate home cook, or professional chef who feels there is still more to learn and explore.
This retreat is not a formal culinary school, a nutrition course, or a strict raw vegan training.
It is an immersive plant-based cooking experience designed to expand your horizons, deepen your understanding of plant-based cuisine, and help you become a more confident and creative cook.
Meet Your Host:
Damian Gardynik
Food has always been at the center of my life.
Some of my earliest memories are of cooking with my grandmother, preserving food, harvesting from the garden, foraging, and watching simple ingredients become meals from scratch on a wood-burning stove.
After graduating from culinary school, I took over my village's restaurant at 17. Since then, my journey has taken me through professional kitchens, health coaching, plant-based cuisine, recipe development, culinary education, and retreat hosting.
What fascinates me most is not any particular diet, but understanding how food works.
Why certain flavors belong together. How techniques transform ingredients. How different cultures approach food. And how simple ingredients, when treated well, can become something truly special.
Over the years, I've explored everything from fermentation and plant-based cheeses to exotic fruits, world cuisines, and high-raw cuisine. I've taught workshops and hosted immersive retreats for people from all over the world, from complete beginners to professional chefs.
The Chef Training Retreat brings together many of those experiences into a hands-on, immersive learning environment designed to help people better understand ingredients, techniques, flavor, and creativity—and leave with skills they can apply in their own kitchens for years to come.
See the Retreat in Action:
SOUNDS LIKE SOMETHING FOR YOU?
Join The RetreatTHE SETTING.
Where we'll be staying.
📍 Pizarra, Málaga · Spain
Tucked into the hills outside Pizarra, the retreat takes place in a peaceful countryside property around 40 minutes from Málaga Airport. Surrounded by olive groves, mountain views, and 18 acres of land, it offers plenty of space to step away from everyday routines and focus fully on cooking, learning, and sharing the experience with the group.
The property includes a spacious kitchen, outdoor dining areas, gardens, a saltwater pool, sauna, steam room, and quiet corners to rest between workshops. It is close enough to Málaga and the coast for our farm and beach day, while still feeling private, calm, and deeply connected to the landscape of southern Spain.
Room Options
Choose the room style that suits you best. All accommodation options include the complete retreat programme, meals, workshops, transfers, and use of the property’s shared facilities.
Bathrooms are shared between guests and located either inside the main house or close to the outdoor accommodation.
SEND IN YOUR APPLICATION TO BE REVIEWED AND ACCEPTED BY CLICKING ON ANY ROOM OPTION
Bed in a Teepee or Geodesic Dome
Stay in an individual bed in a cozy 2-bed Teepee or Geodesic Dome. A simple, more adventurous and economical option. These are outdoor structures with proper beds, electricity and lighting, but not solid walls or air conditioning. They can get hot during the day, while evenings and nights are comfortable. Shared bathrooms are located nearby.
2200 € · 1 person
2300 € · 1 person
PRICES GO UP BY DECEMBER 15th, 2026
Private Teepee or Geodesic Dome
Teepee or dome for friends or a couple. Or if you enjoy complete privacy of your own. The same outdoor setup, reserved privately for one person, 2 friends or a couple. It offers more privacy while keeping the rustic, close-to-nature experience. Shared bathrooms are located nearby.
2550 € · 1 person
4200 € · A couple
2650 € · 1 person
4300 € · A couple
PRICES GO UP BY DECEMBER 15th, 2026
Bed in a shared indoor room or Casita
Stay in an individual bed in a cozy 2 or 3-bed room. A comfortable indoor option with a proper bed, solid walls, and either air conditioning or ceiling fans. Rooms are shared with one or two other guests, and bathrooms are shared nearby.
2450 € · 1 person
2550 € · 1 person
PRICES GO UP BY DECEMBER 15th, 2026
Private Room or Casita
For friends or a couple. Or if you enjoy complete privacy of your own. A private indoor room in the main house or a separate casita. This is the most comfortable and private option, with solid walls, a proper bed, and air conditioning or ceiling fans. Bathrooms are shared unless otherwise specified.
2750 € · 1 person
4700 € · A couple
2850 € · 1 person
4800 € · A couple
PRICES GO UP BY DECEMBER 15th, 2026
What is included in the price?
Top features
Booking process:
Step 1
🌱 Fill Out the Application
Ready to take the next step? Complete our application form to let us know more about you and your goals for the retreat. Once we receive your application, we’ll review it to ensure it’s the perfect fit for you.
*You'll find the application by clicking any room option or the button below.
Step 2
🌱 Free Discovery Call
If you have questions or want to chat more about the retreat before committing, you’re welcome to schedule a one-on-one discovery call (I will send you the link in an email, keep an eye on that!). We’ll go over the program details, answer your questions, and make sure this experience aligns with your goals.
Step 3
🌿 Complete Your Booking
Once your application is accepted, you’ll receive a confirmation email with:
– Your payment plan breakdown
– The liability waiver & refund policy to sign
– Instructions to complete your payment and reserve your spot
Your place in the retreat is secured as soon as the deposit is received. From there, you’ll get access to preparation emails and helpful tips to get the most out of the experience!
I WANT TO BE THERE!Schedule.
An example of a day.
07:00 Wake up with the sun
07:10 Morning workout
08:00 Breakfast
09:00 Morning workshop
13:00 Lunch
13:30 Siesta // Relax time
16:00 Afternoon activity/workshop
19:00 Dinner
20:00 Tribe time // Play time
21:30 Bed time
What past guests say :)
Kamila, Slovenia
“It was perfect! I learned much more than I expected. It was intense time-wise, but I learned really a lot. Learning by doing it together is really the best.”
“The salads and sauces #1 for sure. Seeing how to really do the cheeses and practicing that #2. Learning by doing it together is really the best.”
Ewa, Poland
“This retreat gave me much more than recipes. It helped me understand food as an art of balance, presence, precision, and creativity.”
“Damian is an excellent teacher. He explains everything clearly and dynamically, while preparing, showing, demonstrating, and dividing the work in a very efficient way.”
“I would recommend it to anyone who wants not only to learn recipes, but also to better understand flavor, balance, ingredients, and the whole philosophy behind creating nourishing, beautiful food.”
Tina, Italy
“I love food — I love healthy dishes made with love — and that’s exactly what I saw and felt during these days.”
"The atmosphere was wonderful from the very beginning, and the group that formed was something truly powerful — full of genuine exchanges, deep sharing, and lots of love.”
“Just do it ❤️”
Gabriela, El Salvador
“The amount of information that Damian shares is INVALUABLE.”
“I learned to NOT follow recipes to the dot but rather think about what the role of each ingredient is in the recipe.”
“The retreat exceeds expectations in every aspect — from the lessons to the food to the people and the accommodations.”
Mia, Denmark
“What I took with me from the retreat, I couldn’t have learned from any book or online course.”
“Learning flavor balancing helped me understand why certain things I’d previously tried making would always fail.”
Elham, USA
“The creativity that was poured into every part of the retreat, from the structure of the training to cheese making and the ingredients that were used, inspired me to think outside of the box.”
“I haven’t found an experience like this anywhere. If this combo is what you’re looking for, don’t hesitate.”
“Attending this retreat reaffirmed my love for food and its incredible power to bring people together.”
Tandy, Australia
“The knowledge that I gained on the retreat has been life-changing for me.”
“We have been using these skills from day one of returning, and love this new way of eating.”
Monika, Poland
“The retreat was a refreshing and eye-opening experience.”
“I discovered that vegan food can be incredibly flavorful, creative, and satisfying.”
“The training was more hands-on and immersive than I had anticipated, which made the learning process both engaging and rewarding.”
Dylan, France
“The changes in my body are amazing, realizing that I could feel so well eating this way has been completely life-changing for me.”
“The book is a real guide on our new path.”
FAQ
How do I get to the retreat venue?
Any traveling advice?
What should I bring?
What are the payment options?
What is your refund and cancellation policy?
Is this an official certification program?
MAY 21st to 30th, 2027
LATE SEPTEMBER, 2027
EARLY OCTOBER, 2027
Join us at this 9-day immersive cooking training in Southern Spain
Learn the principles, techniques and creativity behind exceptional food through practical workshops, outstanding ingredients and nine days of cooking, tasting and learning together.
For passionate home cooks, culinary professionals and anyone who wants to understand food beyond simply following recipes.
RETREAT SPACES ARE LIMITED, SET THE DATE TODAY
You can save your spot with a 350€ deposit now and pay the rest later before the retreat.