Meet Lisa
Lisa exhibited a preference for real food from an early age. Her mother recalls that as a toddler she could not be persuaded to eat baby food from a jar but would only accept tidbits of roasted meats and vegetables from the plates of others.
As a little girl she often spent the day in her grandmother’s kitchen where they prepared meals together. Her grandfather grew an organic garden. As a child she helped sow the seeds in his garden and later discovered how delicious homegrown vegetables taste.
These early experiences, as well as years of travel and living abroad, informed a relationship with food, and over the years a unique food style and expression began to emerge.
Lisa's Work
Lisa Valantine, creator of Serene Cuisine and True Food Beauty, has worked as a private holistic chef, and taught and counseled others in the art of healthy living for decades.
Fascinated by how unique regions of the world, when not reliant on industrial food systems, foster such imaginative, authentic and interesting cuisines, and that nourish, in so many ways, unique human communities, an appreciation for human food diversity and authenticity is woven throughout all of the work that she does and the classes that she teaches.
She has a wealth of information to share and her consultations and classes focus on re-establishing ancestral wisdom, local, sustainable food culture, and community.
Success Stories
"Over a year ago, I decided to make some changes, I was having a lot of minor health problems and allergy symptoms. I was gaining weight and knew that I was not eating a balanced diet.
I needed help and luckily had kept Lisa Valantine's business card from an event the year before. After meeting with Lisa, I knew her approach to health through whole food was the path for me. I needed to learn what to eat all over again.
Through a combination of bi-weekly meal preparation by Lisa and periodic cooking classes, I have gradually learned how to cook really tasty "portable meals" that I take with me when I am out and about during the day. And now, I have food already prepared that I can just add to when I don't feel like cooking. Because Lisa's food is so flavorful, I find that I am satisfied with less quantity. Plus, I believe that whole food is infinitely more digestible and nourishing than anything processed.
The bottom line is that I have lost 25 pounds over the last year and have no more allergy symptoms. I've added daily exercise to my routine and have never felt better. I feel now that I have gained a great deal of knowledge and insight into how food affects me and can honestly say I'm through with sugary drinks and flour products for good.
Lisa's wonderful meals and cooking instruction has made this transition possible. I honestly don't think I would have figured it out on my own. She has been my constant cheerleader and I can't thank her enough. Should you decide to do as I did, you will not be disappointed. Get ready to watch the transformation begin."
-M.P.M. - Santa Barbara, California
"She is the best cook I've ever met.”
"Graceful expression of edible art- appealing to all the senses.”
"On a scale of 1 - 10 I would give her a 10+."
"Lisa's cooking for a party of about twenty we had last summer was sensational.
Lisa has a very calm and cheerful disposition. She was very confident and creative in terms of selecting a vegetarian menu for my guests here at Point Dume in Malibu.
She came in and made some inquiries about our tastes and then went shopping. She came back an
"Lisa's cooking for a party of about twenty we had last summer was sensational.
Lisa has a very calm and cheerful disposition. She was very confident and creative in terms of selecting a vegetarian menu for my guests here at Point Dume in Malibu.
She came in and made some inquiries about our tastes and then went shopping. She came back and put the entire meal together. I can't recall how many dishes we had but I can tell you I have never had such a great meal in my life.
Each course was unique and mouth watering. The meal was a great success because everyone was so delighted by each course of the meal. I simply can't speak highly enough about Lisa's cooking ability. She is the best cook I've ever met.”
-B.C. Malibu, California
"On a scale of 1 - 10 I would give her a 10+."
"Graceful expression of edible art- appealing to all the senses.”
"On a scale of 1 - 10 I would give her a 10+."
"Lisa Valantine has been my personal chef for 16 years. She is a fantastic cook, always coming up with new ideas, and always tailoring her menus to my needs and preferences.
I lead a very busy lifestyle, and it is stress-reducing for me to have home-cooked meals available, rather than dining out all the time or having to cook for myself
"Lisa Valantine has been my personal chef for 16 years. She is a fantastic cook, always coming up with new ideas, and always tailoring her menus to my needs and preferences.
I lead a very busy lifestyle, and it is stress-reducing for me to have home-cooked meals available, rather than dining out all the time or having to cook for myself when my time is constrained.
Lisa works with me to create heart-healthy menus that have contributed to a 40% reduction in my cholesterol levels without the use of pharmaceuticals. On a scale of 1 - 10 I would give her a 10+."
-CZ Camarillo Ca
"Graceful expression of edible art- appealing to all the senses.”
"Graceful expression of edible art- appealing to all the senses.”
"Graceful expression of edible art- appealing to all the senses.”
"I just want to say that when I first saw you I was taken by the gracefulness of your movements. I could see the dancer in you making each step through your day into a moving art.
Your cooking is also in this same vein- an expression of edible art- appealing to all the senses.”
-T.H. Hollywood California