Cooking with Presence - in the spirit of Kotahitanga - pre Summit kai chat with Kevin Helas from the Wholefood Kitchen

In this kōrero, Carl talks to Kevin Helas from the Wholefood Kitchen, Kevin travels around Aotearoa cooking in the spirit of Kotahitanga at various gatherings, retreats, festivals, and wellbeing workshops - serving up the kai that fuels the inner work. Keving is also passionate about educating Kiwis about cooking on a budget, and putting intention back into food. Kevin will be at the upcoming Aotearoa Men’s Wellbeing Summit , Opoutere 14-16 May Some of the threads weaved through this conversation. Kevin and Carl meeting in Whaingaroa , Raglan at a Poutama Rite of Passage Kevin coming to fish with us in Waihau Bay and catching his first Southern Bluefin Tuna, on our Matariki Retreat 2025 Kevin’s origins in Kirikiriroa, Hamilton, his studies and training at the Concord Institute, fusing together cooking with personal development, somatic, macrobiology and the energy of food - studying under Jean Torné - volunteering at retreats for about 10 years, plus training in seasonal cooking The bridge between cooking and cheffing What is offered by time spent in the kitchen The healing and presence that comes from cooking The experience of what it is to be human, what is it to eat food, Cooking and eating food is directly related to our development as homo sapien The consciousness of food and cooking , making those spaces available , experience of cooking food The energetic contribution of preparing food with love and attention Carl’s memories of food - from his mothers kitchen, from his two grandmothers and food is family, culture and community all wrapped together The memory of food Gratitude practices around food Kevin’s immersion in the world of Te Ao Maori and the concept of Kotahitanga The common sense and wisdom in the concepts of Te Ao Maori Whakatauki - Nāu te rourou , nāku te rourou , ka ora ai te iwi - with your food basket, and my food basket, all the people will prosper The mutual respect that comes with Te Tiriti o Waitanga Mana motuhake - the concept of self determination, self responsibility , independene and sovereignty - and that we all need to look after the land and “Is what I am doing here in service of that vision”? Kevin’s last few months travelling around NZ in service to wellbeing, Rites of Passage and revolution or evolution of food system The origins of Kevin’s family name Helas Meal planning - the strands. Sourcing beautiful produce, raised and produced ethically and locally. The quality of the ingredients. -Biodynamics and Rudolph Steiner -Connection between us and our land. Spreading your biology on the land, eg hair clippings, so that the land gives you back the nutrients and healing that you need. Food with vitality, for our own vitality Cooking for wahine at some of the retreats Kevin caters for and the nourishment they receive from someone cooking with aroha Cooking as a spiritual pathway - activating the senses, activating synchronicity, and activating sensuality Kevin’s experience Cooking in the kithcen on transformational retreats and feeling the energy in the kitchen Holding in the minds eye the people we are cooking for, so they get the healing they need “Can we use food as a love language for ourselves?” Connection with Food and gratitude as the gateway for humans to go from scarcity to abundance, when we live in service first Kevin and Carl explore the concept of Reciprocity as it relates to food and cooking and wellbeing Taking five deep breaths before eating Cooking as a single Dad - Kevin provides some tips for men who are cooking for their kids Bringing joy to the process of food The cyclical natural of our lives, and how men can transition through multiple versions of themself in one lifetime