About The Chef

See video clip below! Nicola Lawrence is the chef, manager and cofounder of Harmony Dawn Retreat Centre. She brings to the kitchen over 20 years of experience in the food service industry and realizes her life long dreams by using all her skills to provide a healthy, nurturing environment for all who visit Harmony Dawn. Nicola has owned her own catering company and has long had a passion for cooking as well as organic gardening. In addition to her culinary skills, Nicola is a Feng Shui, Tai Chi Chuan and Medical Qigong practitioner (MQP). She seamlessly incorporates profound Yin-yang principles into her intuitive extravaganza of taste, texture and colour. She is a passionate advocate of fresh, local and organic food while celebrating the genius and diversity of the planet’s culinary traditions. Nicola seeks not only to please the eyes and palates of guests, but provide them with healthy, balanced food prepared with natural and whenever possible, local seasonal ingredients. Her food has been described as cutting edge “Spa Cuisine” at its finest!

Nicola has just released her first cookbook, “The Dao of Harmony Dawn Cooking”, which was written in response to the overwhelming demand for recipes, cooking tips and food-health information from the many guests of Harmony Dawn. Nicola’s popular cooking workshop at Harmony Dawn has been featured in the Toronto Star and she also teaches cooking and food principles for outside organizations and private groups. Recently Nicola was a guest of radio show host Dr. Melissa West discussing: Eco Harmony Dawn Cooking with Nicola Lawrence (click on blue text to hear interview) Nicola Lawrence was Melissa's very first guest on Returning to the Body Mind will be making her much anticipated return visit. Her first book “Dao of Harmony Dawn Cooking; Innovative & Acclaimed Spa Cuisine” was such a hit that she was pressured for ever more great recipes and cooking tips but also for advice about sustainable healthy living. Join us as we talk about her new book, co-written with Andy James entitled “Eco Harmony Dawn Cooking: Blending Inner & Outer Ecology”. We’ll talk about consciously connecting our inner and outer environments in a harmonious and healthful way.

Nicola talks about Harmony Dawn and her cookbook on television
Short video of 3 popular dishes that are served at Harmony Dawn and found in Nicola's cookbook!

The Menus

Three delicious and wholesome vegetarian meals per day are provided by our experienced team. Nicola designs and customizes all menus with options for meal upgrades and extra treats. The menu can be as elaborate or as simple as the group leader chooses. All menus use seasonal and local produce as available.

Nicola is experienced in international cuisine as well as specialty diets such as vegan, non-dairy, macro-biotic, wheat free and more.

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Comments from our guests!

“Here’s how I made a major shift in my lifestyle at the age of 61. Newly retired I attended a yoga retreat at Harmony Dawn. A friend alerted me to the quote-unquote, “phenomenal” cooking to be had there. I have to admit, being a food enthusiast, I was intrigued. I was curious to see how 3 days of a totally vegetarian menu would affect me. To make a long story short, I ate everything set before me with an enormous appetite for 3 days and then lost 3 pounds the next week. My body was purring – no stomach twinges, no acid and I felt fully satisfied after every meal. No “emptiness” or stomach growling between meals. Since then I’ve followed Nicola’s inspiration in preparing vegetables and have lost 18 pounds. I do a lot more walking because I feel so much better. I don’t really eat less and I still like dessert, but my overall eating habits are just so much better.” ~Sheila Carson

“Your cookbook is a hit! I think it is wonderful, simple and easy to read. Great job! Thank you and hope to see you soon (in June).” ~ Juli Smollan

“I have to tell you that your meals were a highlight of my wonderful yet short time with you. It was truly an honour for me to be at Harmony Dawn and in your presence. I am so inspired to learn more about feng shui and a healthy home. Anyway, I want to congratulate you on such a delicious cookbook. It has inspired us to get back to mindfully creating and enjoying healthy meals. I have made a beautiful salad with the Peanut Salad Dressing, which was fantastic, the very delicious Cauliflower and Lentil stew, Sesame Sweet Potato Wedges and tonight my husband Paul, who is a passionate foodie, described the Moroccan Chickpea and Vegetable Tagine as “Unbelievable” And it is! The “what are we having for dinner” question is no longer dreaded…but eagerly anticipated. Your Chocolate Cake was discussed at length at Yoga last night,I can’t wait to make it!” ~ Anne-Marie Halliday

“Received your book in the mail yesterday. It is fantastic - I can feel the love that went into creating it! The recipes for all of my favourite meals that you have prepared are in there.....I hope when I make them they taste just as yummy as yours!” ~ Lori Tymchuk

'I would like to thank you Nicola for the wonderful meals that you provided us with.  I have never tasted food so wonderful - as I have mentioned, I have been to some of the best restaurants and spas in the world (Canyon Ranch in Arizona, St. Annes in Coburg, Banff Springs in Alberta, Grail Springs in Grafton, James Beard House in New York, etc.) but by far, you have surpassed anything I have ever tasted.  It felt like my mouth was throwing a party for my face with each bite I took!  I have already talked to 4 of my friends and we will be taking your cooking class in March!" ~ Tracey