Cristina Urioste, Organic Chef. Cristina’s appreciation for organic, seasonal, and locally grown food began while living on a beautiful farm in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia, where she learned organic gardening techniques and grew her own fruits and vegetables from 1997-2000. Participating so fully with the cycles of nature served as a profound epiphany in her understanding of the human relationship with food.

It was also during that time that she began studying Ayurveda, an ancient holistic lifeway from India (often considered yoga’s ‘sister science’), at The Wise Earth School of Ayurveda. There, Sri Swamini Mayatitananda carefully taught her about sadhana in the kitchen, the practice of sacred action in cooking. Ultimately, in 1999 she became an organic chef, preparing organic meals for doctors, health practitioners, healers, yoga teachers, spiritual seekers, families, and celebrities. In 2007, she became a practitioner of Raphaology, after studying at the Universal College of Indigenous Medicine. Raphaology is a combination of worldwide indigenous healing practices, with an emphasis on organic and peak quality foods and herbs. Cristina has been cooking and teaching others how to prepare wholesome delicious meals at wellness retreat centers, yoga centers, summer camps, private homes, fundraising events, movie sets, and more. Her most exciting commitment was as full time private chef to a leading actor in one of 2007’s blockbuster film productions.

Cristina currently lives in Venice, California, where she continues to garden and prepare organic delights with constant joy. You can typically find her at one or more of the outstanding farmer’s markets on the Westside with a canvas bag full of organic goodies for that week’s menu. She caters events and prepares food in private homes. She also teaches organic cooking workshops both privately and in small groups.