Nicola Lawrence James, Harmony Dawn’s chef, makes a conscious effort to incorporate Harmony Dawn’s principles of Yin-Yang balance in her food even as she aims for a Wow factor in terms of taste and presentation, which our guests commonly acclaim. Yin-Yang principles are fundamental to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) in which everyday food is seen as part of Herbal Medicine. For Nicola, this was not just a passing fad or theory, but a way of successfully battling breast cancer (which she has) and increasing mind-body health and vitality.

Nicola has had a life-long passion for food and cooking going back to her childhood. She has worked in the food industry, had her own catering company and now has found the perfect outlet for her food passion and knowledge as Chef of Harmony Dawn. Her cuisine encompasses international cooking from across the planet as well as specialty diets including lacto-vegetarian, vegan, dairy-free, gluten-free, macrobiotic and more. She is a passionate advocate for fresh, local and organic food whenever possible. At HD we grow a selected variety of organic herbs and vegetables and have access to a wider variety within the local organic farming community.

Our guests’ requests for Nicola’s recipes has led to two best-selling Harmony Dawn cookbooks – The Dao of Harmony Dawn: Innovative and Acclaimed Spa Cuisine and Eco- Harmony Dawn Cooking: Balancing Your Internal and External Environments.

Nicola and Andy offer their unique Harmony Dawn Cooking weekend workshops, wherein the focus is on hands-on cooking. Andy offers gentle meditation and qigong, reflecting Harmony Dawn’s message of Interconnection – externally, internally and between the External and Internal. Nicola provides expertise, knowledge and cooking pizzaz!

Nicola is a certified Medical Qigong Practitioner (MQP) and a Feng Shui practitioner. Her work has been covered by local media, both TV and print, including the Toronto Star.

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