In a world where food trends come and go, Bettina has quietly carved out a space that feels both timeless and urgently necessary. Her plant-based philosophy is more than a culinary choice, it is a celebration of culture, health, sustainability, and connection. Through her journey from hospitality front-of-house to becoming a leading plant-based chef, author, and wellness mentor, Bettina invites us to rethink food in a way that’s deeply personal yet profoundly universal.
Growing up split between Denmark, Tanzania, and Sweden, Bettina’s story is as rich and textured as the vibrant dishes she creates. This multicultural upbringing was not simply a background detail , it shaped her entire approach to food and life. “Growing up in Denmark and Sweden, I developed a deep appreciation for seasonal produce, simplicity, and sustainability,” she reflects. “Then spending years in Tanzania exposed me to an incredible world of spices, tropical fruits, and bold cooking techniques.” This blending of Nordic minimalism and African vibrancy informs everything she does. To Bettina, cooking isn’t about following trends or strict rules; it’s about honouring ingredients in their purest form and celebrating the stories they carry.
Her journey into plant-based cooking didn’t happen overnight. After working in hospitality’s front-of-house roles where she loved creating memorable experiences for guests, Bettina felt a deeper calling. “I craved a closer relationship with food, not just serving it, but truly understanding its power to heal and transform,” she says. Personal health challenges sparked her curiosity and passion for nutrition, leading her to explore how plant-based eating could support wellbeing on every level. This exploration quickly blossomed into a career shift that felt less like a pivot and more like coming home. Writing cookbooks followed naturally as a way to share not only recipes but also her journey, insights, and the joy she found in food that nurtures body and soul.
The founding of Bettina’s Kitchen marked a pivotal moment. What began as a personal diary of sorts, documenting her vibrant health transformation, soon evolved into a global community of like-minded people hungry for change. Today, Bettina’s Kitchen offers courses, workshops, cookbooks, retreats, and collaborative projects all centred on sustainable eating and joyful living. Yet the essence remains unchanged, a commitment to inspiring positive shifts in how we view and approach food. “It’s about more than just what’s on the plate,” she explains. “It’s a mindset that encompasses environmental respect, personal wellbeing, and cultural celebration.”
Running wellness retreats around the world has added layers of depth to Bettina’s culinary philosophy. Traveling to remote locations often meant facing unexpected challenges — sourcing quality ingredients in unfamiliar markets, cooking with limited equipment, and accommodating diverse dietary needs all at once. These experiences became invaluable lessons in adaptability and creativity. “When you have to work with what’s local and fresh, you learn quickly that simplicity often yields the most nourishing and memorable dishes,” she shares. These challenges reinforced Bettina’s dedication to minimalism and sustainability, teaching her that honouring local produce is not just a necessity but a privilege. She approaches every recipe and retreat with this ethos, emphasising respect for the earth and its gifts.
The personal nature of her health journey deeply influenced the recipes and themes in her debut cookbook, Happy Food. Unlike many cookbooks that focus solely on nutrition or restrictive eating, Happy Food celebrates food as medicine and joy. “After navigating my own health challenges, I wanted to show that eating plant-based can be both healing and pleasurable,” Bettina says. The recipes in Happy Food are designed to nourish the body, mind, and soul, proving that plant-based eating is accessible and exciting rather than limiting or austere. This philosophy of joyful nourishment has resonated widely, helping to shift perceptions about vegan and vegetarian diets.
With her third cookbook, Celebrate, Bettina took a different approach, one that highlights the festive and indulgent side of plant-based cuisine. Inspired by gatherings and joyful moments around food, Celebrate invites readers to see plant-based eating as abundant, luxurious, and perfect for special occasions. “I wanted to create recipes that bring vibrancy and excitement to celebrations, breaking the stereotype that plant-based food is plain or boring,” she explains. This book embodies a playful creativity that contrasts with the more health-focused tone of her earlier work. It reflects her belief that food is ultimately about connection and joy — a way to mark milestones and create lasting memories.
Bettina’s recipe development is grounded in a relentless focus on flavour. For her, dietary restrictions are not barriers but opportunities to innovate. “Flavour always comes first,” she says firmly. Her cooking style embraces layering spices, fresh herbs, natural umami, and diverse textures to create dishes that satisfy and delight regardless of dietary limitations. This approach ensures that her recipes cater to a wide audience, from gluten-free to allergen-conscious eaters, without ever compromising on taste or enjoyment. “Restrictions spark creativity,” she adds. “They push me to explore ingredients and techniques that keep food interesting and nourishing.”
Sustainability is a thread woven through every aspect of Bettina’s work. For her, it is foundational, not optional. Ethical sourcing, prioritising local and seasonal ingredients, minimising food waste, and composting are daily practices that she integrates into her kitchen and teachings. Beyond just modelling sustainable habits, Bettina uses her platforms to educate and inspire others to adopt small but impactful changes in their own lives. “Sustainability is about respect, for the planet, for farmers, for ourselves,” she explains. This ethos is evident not only in her cooking but also in the way she curates experiences and builds community.
One of the most rewarding parts of Bettina’s work has been her Retreat Chef Academy. Bringing students together from all over the world, this academy is a testament to the power of education and community in plant-based cuisine. “Watching students transform from hesitant cooks to confident chefs is incredibly fulfilling,” Bettina shares. These retreats are more than just cooking classes, they’re immersive experiences that foster connection, growth, and empowerment. “Food is a universal language, and through teaching, I see how plant-based cooking can change lives, both personally and globally.”
Looking ahead, Bettina is excited about expanding the reach of her Retreat Chef Academy and creating more accessible courses, both online and in-person, to empower people everywhere with the skills and confidence to embrace plant-based cooking. She also looks forward to collaborating with like-minded brands and organisations that share her commitment to sustainability and wellbeing. Future cookbooks and global initiatives such as the Chefs’ Manifesto are on the horizon, all perfectly aligned with her mission to inspire joyful, accessible, and sustainable eating around the world.
Bettina’s journey is a powerful reminder that food is never just food. It is culture, identity, healing, celebration, and connection all rolled into one. Her ability to blend Nordic simplicity with African vibrancy, to balance health with indulgence, and to champion sustainability while honouring pleasure makes her one of the most compelling voices in plant-based cooking today.
As she herself puts it, “Plant-based eating is not about perfection or restriction, it’s about joy, respect, and community. When we approach food with this mindset, we don’t just change our plates; we change our lives.”
In a world hungry for meaning and mindful choices, Bettina’s kitchen is a place where food becomes a source of happiness, health, and hope, and where every meal tells a story worth savouring.
