Testimonials
Sharing the love.
I love our Healing Cuisine tribe. I am deeply grateful for the wonderful people who have been called to me on my journey and for sharing the incredible privilege of positively impacting each other’s lives has been an enormous gift. You know who you are.
Here are a few examples of some of our great experiences together at The Healing Cuisine over the years.
“My wife and I have spent years dealing with the challenges of raising two children with severe food allergies. We have to be on constant guard, monitoring everything they put into their mouths. Joanne was a godsend. We would turn our child’s food care over to Joanne and know that she was going to create not just allergy safe dishes for them, but beautiful meals that would delight them. Breakfast, lunch, dinner, and even dessert she would deliver new surprises that our children loved. Our youngest still talks about her key lime pie as the best he has ever had!”
Bryan T Father of 3
“Joanne is in a word: incredible! There is nothing she can't do or make. She has cooked for my family everything from small family dinners to elaborate parties with vegan-carrot-cakes in the shape-of -a-pony! Even when our children were younger and weren't interested in the spicy curries or raw pizza my husband and I craved, Joanne would make kid-friendly dishes that my husband and I would devour. We praised her talents and skill at producing such food with such limited resources and became fast friends and devoted customers.”
Amanda Journalist, NYC
“Her high standards and enthusiasm for healthy living are evident in all that she does. We found her to be reliable, thoughtful in her work, and flexible as our needs changed. During her time with our family Joanne focused on menus which would promote overall health and wellbeing, taking into consideration our specific nutritional goals. Most remarkably, my three young children, loved everything she prepared. She went above and beyond, even creating healthy candy bars and ice cream. Her time with us proved invaluable. Joanne is simply wonderful to work with. She would be an asset to any family or organization she works with in the future and I highly recommend her.”
Amandine Freidheim NYC
“It is my pleasure to recommend Joanne Gerrard Young who worked as our family’s private chef in Costa Rica - we loved her cooking and healthy meal planning so much that we brought her to New York to devise meal plans and healthy alternatives for our three children. Joanne is a remarkable chef and has a talent for creating delicious and healthy menus for the entire family. She is an exceptionally creative person and we were constantly surprised and delighted by her ability to turn any meal plan and food combination into a delicious feast.”
Transformative Family Plan Client
“It is a pleasure cooking in the kitchen with Jo. I just love listening to her passion and knowledge about food, nutrition and supplementation. And did I mention how delicious her food is? Jo is a true-blue, humble, chef that exudes beauty from in inside out.”
Andrea Louden CNP
“Joanne is a star in the kitchen. She combines her extensive health and culinary knowledge to make food magic! That means you don't have to compromise on deliciousness when you are eating healthy. Chef to the stars, health expert and media personality. As a TV producer, Broadcast Executive and foodie - I recognize talent when I see it. Joanne is a triple threat! Her energy is beautiful! It's no wonder the food she creates is healing and delicious!”
Michelle Kosoy Producer
“LOVE Joanne!! She has such an amazing energy and is a wealth of knowledge. She kept it light and fun with so much delicious food!”
Julia Murray Olympic Athlete, Ski Racer
“Joanne’s skills reach far beyond food preparation and nutrition. After following and aspiring to learn from her, I had the pleasure of attending one of her famous Raw Healing Certifications. In her presence I quickly realized that she is so much more than a Chef. She truly lives a holistic, happy and energetic lifestyle which she passionately guides her clients and students to learn for themselves. She warmly and openly shares many years of experience through her instruction. “I have since participated in several of her courses and I learn completely new information and valuable technique each time. Jo is incredibly gifted and blessed with the talent of truly healing through real and simple foods. She is now a mentor of mine and I will continue to follow her guidance as a holistic healer as well as a Chef. I highly recommend working with Joanne whether it is for your own personal health journey, your business or to attend one of her courses.”
Yvette Taylor Professional Wellness Chef, Queen of the Pantry, Inc.
“They say when someone opens their kitchen to you, you become family and we couldn't find that to be any more true then with Joanne. The living foods classes were exceptional! Her knowledge and passion really shines through, you can tell, without a doubt, she is in her element and inspires you to be in yours. She helped us see food in a different way and drove home how simple it was to create tasty and satisfying meals that left you feeling enriched and energized.”
François St Gerlais Leading advisor at TACT
“Inspiring, invigorating, fun, game changer! Joanne is passionate about really, really, really good food. I did two classes: (1) Gluten-free/Dairy-free, and (2) Living Food Made Easy and left both days feeling inspired and ready to head home to try out my new tricks. Two weeks later, my kids love the spiralizer and my husband loves the Vitamix. Nothing is going to waste in our home garden this year, thanks to Joanne!”
Fran Free Entrepreneur, founder of Oh Baby!
“A Wonderful Tropical Cooking Class! The cooking class was what actually brought our family to beautiful Santa Teresa in the first place, having read about it in Vogue. April conducted our fun-filled class which was a wonderful introduction to fresh, healthy, home-made food and has already inspired us to try our new "tricks" at home. Wish we could take classes all the time but unfortunately Germany is a bit too far! Glenda kindly sent us the recipes the very next day so we are ready to go back home. An experience we will never forget.”
Annette Boehl Global HR Executive, Germany
Since returning to New York, I've used your nutritional tips and totally converted to the raw food diet. I have more energy, my skin looks amazing, and the back pain I used to suffer from has completely vanished. Your workshop inspired me to change my lifestyle, and I am forever grateful!”
Angel Chang Fashion Designer NYC
"I have been 'raw fooding' it this week. You are just what I needed to get me going again and I thank you for my health. I can’t wait to make your eggless quiche again, the guys loved it! I've made a detox soup, two different tomato sauces one over zucchini noodles (sweet red sauce) and another over sweet potato noodles (spicy green sauce) with dehydrated walnut meatballs. My son calls it spaghetti and nut balls. I love the cucumber pineapple soup, My husband took a big batch to work for everyone, and it’s so refreshing. Looking forward to more inspiration. Thank you, thank you!!"
Silvia Marion Mother of two, Oakville ON
"I was lucky enough to participate in Joanne's five day juice cleanse as well as her raw food workshop. The juice cleanse was incredible and everything that Joanne prepared was delicious. I was always excited to find out what kind of juice was next. At the end of the day I was always full and totally satisfied. When the cleanse got difficult towards the end, Joanne provided amazing support. By the last day I was feeling as good as I have felt in years. The raw food workshop was excellent as Joanne shared many raw food techniques and recipes that helped me to keep up with what I had learned during my cleanse. Both the cleanse and the workshop completely changed my approach to the way I eat and prepare food and I have been healthier since incorporating everything Joanne has taught me into my daily lifestyle...and I am forever grateful!"
Jennifer Graeffe Urban Planner, New York
“First off, I must express what an intelligent, encouraging and supportive person Chef Joanne is. She has a spirit of light, respects mother earth and has patience for all people who inhabit it. What I gained most from taking her Raw Certification Certificate program is that we not only were taught some of the most amazing raw food recipes I've ever tried, I developed an extended understanding of health. Her classes were so fun, we were laughing and eating and learning. Beginners to Experts all came away with an understanding of health that was appropriate for them. I must've taken 15 pages of notes and they include awesome recipes, healing modalities, books to read, naturopathic philosophies. Chef Joanne understands the information out there and is impossibly patient, answering any questions you may have. I am so grateful to have the opportunity to take advantage of her wealth of knowledge online and across the world.”
Annie Staheli Private Plant-Focused Chef
"A divine experience! Delicious, healthful creations. Joanne uses fresh, real food. The Healing Cuisine enlivens your soul. In beautiful Costa Rica I did refreshing, renewing cleanses. Cleanses resulted in renewed energy, peace of mind and a fresh feeling! Additionally Joanne's cooking classes are delightfully decadent and impressive! Definitely take a cooking class with Joanne. Highly recommended for ALL food lovers! I will take another class with The Healing Cuisine as soon as I can."
Theresa Longo Actor/Model
“If I had to sum her up, I would consider Joanne a nutritionist who prepares Michelin rated raw food! She is professional, intelligent and loving. If you know Chef Joanne, she has touched your life in a way that your heart and mind will experience a bespoke health encounter. I wouldn't go as far to call very few people "the real deal" and she is by far, one of them.”
Annie Staheli Private Plant-Focused Chef
"Chef Jo took our restaurant to the next level. Despite an already locally sourced delicious menu and an elevated environment we knew that our menu was lacking in some core items that could fulfill the now growing market for allergen free plant centric foods. Chef Jo did an initial review of our market, current menu options and operations which provided a strong understanding of our challenges and a clear pathway to resolve them. Chef Jo helped to evolve our menu to better serve our core guests who are healthy active individuals. Her chef inspired, elevated yet approachable food and beverage offerings were creative and have become the favourites on our menu. I cannot say enough about Joanne’s enthusiasm, professionalism and commitment."
Margreit Zwart Zwart Cafe, Santa Teresa, Costa Rica
“Jo’s 5 day detox we like heaven to my body. Never felt so revitalized and full of energy after the program. She is an incredible chef and one of the reasons I fell in love with Santa Teresa, Costa Rica. Her passion for food and her extraordinary care to create the most nutritious meals left me craving for more and never was I disappointed."
Alina Ilie Model, NYC/LA
“I am writing to tell anyone who will listen about my experience with Joanne Gerrard and the Healing Cuisine. I have been interested in and persistently, pursuing news about the newest discoveries in wellness for over 15 years, I have also been experimenting with my diet for as long to see what works for me. I can honestly say that The Healing Cuisine's juice fast cleanse far surpasses any other I have ever done! I have never had such incredible releases in on any other cleanse. And finally, I think Joanne is one of the most caring, nurturing people I have ever come across and this coupled with her extensive knowledge of food as medicine makes what she offers unbeatable.”
Alice Kabukuru Supermodel, NYC
"Thank you for a wonderful week of juices and learning. We are all well and continue to talk about the cleanse week as life changing. My PET CT last month showed that I am completely Cancer free!! Yahoo!!"
Louise Davies Artist, Canada
"Every time I go to Costa Rica I do a cleanse with Joanne! I feel amazing and light and everyone notices a glow in my skin. Joanne paces it so well that you never feel hungry. When you come off it, your whole attitude to food changes. You want healthy and live food in your system. Thanks Joanne!"
Nadia Narain Yogi, UK
“Although I have eaten raw food and have completed cleanse programs before, I was a little apprehensive to undertake a juice fast. I had heard great things about The Healing Cuisine and their programs and after receiving our first raw breakfast I was convinced that cleansing with Joanne’s raw food could be a delight in itself. I quickly realized how it helped me to define and refine my body while meeting all of my nutritional needs. The mental clarity, balance and definition I achieved is incomparable. I would highly recommend The Healing Cuisine cleanse programs.”
Julia Stegner Victoria's Secret Model, NYC, New York
“Joanne catered our wedding in Costa Rica. She did an amazing job and the food was delicious. It was all fresh and beautifully presented and there wasn't one person in the party that didn't rave about the food. Along with the main course she designed a mouth watering dessert bar. Joanne was so personable and truly made the celebration one to remember.”
Chad & Janee Salt Lake City, Utah
“We had the absolute honor and pleasure of hiring Joanne as our private chef during our beach house stay in Santa Teresa. We are picky New Yorkers who are all super healthy eaters and I, myself, have a lot of dietary restrictions. What happened when Joanne arrived for the first meal during our stay absolutely blew my mind. Joanne is a lovely person with fantastic positive energy surround her. The first meal she prepared in our home as well as the following 10 meals were some of the most delicious meals I have ever eaten. Each meal, Joanne prepared with the utmost quality and care. Her quality of dishes and her actual presentation of the table and of each plate was truly top tier. We were a group of 6 and all of us have dined in the best restaurants in the world. I'd say Joanne's food was on par with or even surpassing some of those fine dining restaurants. I literally cannot say enough about her cooking and presentation. It was exceptional.
Meg Blundelf CEOMother, New York City
"Food for the Soul! This was such a fantastic and spiritual experience...I was not prepared for how I would feel. Each day brought tasty juices and raw foods, all of which were explained in depth by Joanne on how they benefit the body. Eating healthy is one thing, but when you're eating with the right intentions and of foods made with love it makes a world of difference. Also, the raw pizza and pancakes are stuck in my mind forever, delicious!! Much love and gratitude for Joanne"
Jules Francis Holistic Health Coach
“This truly was one of the best meals we have had. Throughout the meal Joanne was attentive, kind, and very funny - but what really struck me was the amount of care Joanne put into the meal. Weeks prior to the meal Joanne was communicating with me back and forth about our taste preferences, allergies, favorite foods, etc. She really went the extra step to make sure the dinner was up to our expectations. She didn't just cook us a fabulous meal, but she made an entire experience out of eating dinner. You do not want to miss out on an opportunity to eat with Joanne.”
Clare Richardson Barlow Washington, DC
Joanne is an amazing person as well a personal chef. Her culinary skills are so unreal. We had hired her for 9 days to stock our fridge full of amazing homemade goodies and it was well worth it. Later I found myself on a secluded beach for a surprise sunset dinner cooked and served by Joanne and her husband. The experience was out of this world. My couldn't have hired a better chef to share this surprise experience with. Joanne’s skills should be known throughout the culinary world for her creativity, passion, choice of ingredients, commitment to quality and your customer focus. It was truly an amazing experience.
Jason Rogowski New York City
“Jo is an amazingly talented, knowledgeable and conscientious chef and it translates into her delicious food. She has a wide range of cuisine with an uncanny ability to make these foods accessible and delicious to even the most picky or meat-loving of eaters. We generally request vegetarian menus (her homemade dressings and sauces are divine); however, Jo has prepared everything for a full traditional Thanksgiving dinner. She is professional, hard-working and not afraid of experimenting with new requests. She is a patient teacher and has a natural gift in conveying information about food and nutrition to her clients. Anyone would be lucky to have her in their kitchen or their home.“
Mei Mei Hu Director & CEO
“I am so inspired and excited about raw food thanks to Joanne Gerrard Young. I now know raw food is not just for the hippies and extremist and is a delicious, energizing way to enjoy the true essence of food. Try it, it is amazing! PS: I still love bacon :-)"
Victoria Ross Surfer/Snowboarder/Marketing Guru, Australia
”Being on a retreat with Joanne is a treat for your whole being. She has a unique gift in her seemingly intuitive comprehension of how to combine ingredients to make food tasty, nutritious and beautiful. Not one single time during my three-day juice cleanse did I feel hunger and transitioning back to eating was smooth thanks to Joanne’s care. I wish everyone in this world could experience what I did. The warm, loving and supportive environment made me step out of my shell to become the woman that I am. It was a true life changing experience. In so many aspects!”
Emma Inganäs Business Owner, Author
“Joanne speaks to the needs of the world population. I have spent over half a century, advocating, teaching and innovating healthy lifestyles. To find an individual like Joanne who has in simple common language communicates as a motivational leader…the ways of joy, energy, beauty, harmony, truth, sustainability, happiness, health and holiness.“
Viktoras Kulvinskas Author, Mentor, Co-Founder of The Hippocrates Health Institute
“Joanne was my savior while I was in Costa Rica! I was on a very strict cleanse and she met all my food requirements while creating the yummiest tasting dishes. I felt so healthy and alive eating her meals. Joanne is also so informative when it comes to health. She is definitely on a path to healing through food and her perfect preparation of her dishes. I highly recommend her to anyone!!”
Brittany Daniel Actress, Hollywood CA
Joanne makes plant-based foods rich and flavorful — especially her raw desserts! Most Importantly is that her food is always made with love and consciousness. We've really enjoyed having her in our home over the years!
Tom Brady 6X SUPERBOWL CHAMPION
Eating Joanne's healing food reminds me of our connection to our beautiful planet. Every meal a reflection of love and vitality, is better than the one before. Joanne's food is an extension of her... pure, passionate, and connected.
Gisele Bündchen Supermodel + Philanthropist
See my reviews on Tripadvisor here
