Wellness tourism culinary expert
"Best Spa Food"
Elevate your resort or spa experience with expert guidance from Sam Gowing, Australia’s leading Wellness Tourism Culinary Expert.
Specialising in integrating nutrition-focused cuisine with holistic hospitality, Sam designs wellness tourism culinary experiences for luxury resorts, boutique retreats, and wellness destinations to develop nourishing menus, immersive guest experiences, and staff training programs.
We help hospitality brands define their culinary identity before they open—creating food experiences that express place, strengthen brand and leave a lasting impression on every guest.
With decades of expertise in food as medicine and spa cuisine, she helps businesses create offerings that align with modern wellness trends, ensuring guests enjoy delicious, health-driven dining that enhances their overall stay.
"Samantha Gowing: A Visionary in Wellness Dining"
Australia’s food as medicine trailblazer, Chef Samantha Gowing, is transforming the way we eat and travel by putting wellness on the plate — literally.
“Spa cuisine is about redefining indulgence. It’s food that fuels joy, supports digestion, and celebrates local, seasonal ingredients in ways that are both delicious and deeply nourishing,” Gowing explains. It’s this philosophy that has inspired her collaboration with premium holiday pioneer Club Med, creating dining experiences that deliver nourishment alongside luxury.
Beautiful Food
Successful Destinations
Wellness tourism has surpassed $1 trillion and is projected to reach $1.4 trillion by 2027 — and Chef Sam Gowing has been at the forefront of this movement for over 25 years. 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.
Executive Wellness Chef & Nutritionist CSR Ambassador - Asia Pacific
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.
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.”
Transforming Wellness Dining at Gwinganna
Deborah Munster, Former GM, Gwinganna Lifestyle Retreat
Photo: Nelly le Comte
A Testimonial from the General Manager
It is with great enthusiasm that I endorse Sam for her exceptional contributions as a Wellness Consulting Chef at Gwinganna, the premier health retreat in Australasia. Sam’s dedication to promoting health and vitality through gastronomy is unparalleled, and her long association with Gwinganna speaks volumes about her expertise and commitment to the field.
Sam has played a pivotal role in shaping the culinary experiences at Gwinganna, supporting and mentoring our chefs through seasonal menu changes, ideation, and storytelling. Her innovative approach to wellness gastronomy has elevated our offerings, ensuring that every dish served reflects our dedication to holistic health and nourishment.
One of Sam’s standout qualities is her ability to integrate new items seamlessly into our menu, constantly pushing boundaries to offer our guests an unparalleled culinary journey. Her passion for staying ahead of food and health trends has been instrumental in establishing Gwinganna as a world leader in wellness gastronomy. By consistently hunting for the next level of food trends and health innovations, Sam ensures that our guests enjoy exclusive and cutting-edge culinary experiences that set us apart.
Moreover, Sam is a skilled presenter, who frequently delivers engaging and insightful seminars that enrich our guests’ understanding of the intricate relationship between food and well-being. Her ability to distill complex concepts into accessible insights ensures that her seminars are not only informative but also highly engaging. Sam’s captivating delivery style and depth of knowledge consistently receive rave reviews from guests.
In summary, Sam’s expertise, dedication, and innovative spirit make her an invaluable asset to Gwinganna and the broader wellness community. I wholeheartedly endorse her as an exceptional educator in the field of wellness gastronomy in addition to an expert who is dedicated to promoting holistic health and well-being through her craft.
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
Chef Sam Gowing was engaged by Kempinski Zanzibar to develop their spa cuisine philosophy and menu program, bringing food as medicine principles to one of Tanzania’s most prestigious five-star beach properties.
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.
