Karma Yoga

Cooking Apprenticeship Program

A 3-month program

Have you ever been told you should have your own restaurant? Do you have a strong desire to learn how to cook balanced vegetarian meals?

The Cooking Apprenticeship Program at The Expanding Light is a special program designed for those who want to cook with the spirit of serving God in everything you do.

We are always looking for creative and high energy people who would like to be a part of the fun! Our meals gets rave reviews from our guests, many of whom are non-vegetarians, and they never leave hungry.

“I cannot possibly express my thanks for the opportunity to serve in the capacity as apprentice chef. My spiritual practices progressed easily with the work schedule that I followed.

“I’m very grateful for all of the friends I’ve made, meals I’ve made, and large functions I’ve been able to attend or take part in creating. My life will certainly move in a more centered and enlightening direction after my stay and service at Ananda.”

– Nolan, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada

What You’ll Learn

  • Learn the basics of cooking balanced vegetarian meals and yogic food principles. Prepare food for large groups (40 to 250).
  • Learn to cook intuitively and with a consciousness of sharing God in everything you do.
  • Learn practical, down-to-earth methods of running a busy retreat kitchen, including maintenance, cleaning and safety.
  • Learn the basics of vegetarian restaurant operation – from ordering food to putting out a great vegetarian meal.

You will have required texts to read to feed your spiritual development, as well as time to attend yoga and meditation sessions.This program will give you a rare opportunity to practice the presence of God while being in a highly functional and busy yogic kitchen at a premier yoga retreat. At the end of your successful service, you will receive a certificate of completion.

Applications

If you wish to apply for this program, please download, complete and return the Karma Yoga and Medical Applications forms and return along with your resume and 2 work references.

To apply for this program, choose ONE of the options below:

  1. Adobe PDF

    Print out the applications and mail or fax them with your resume and references. To read or print this file, you will need the free software, Adobe Reader. Go to the Adobe web site to download Acrobat Reader.
  2. MS Word document

     Fill in on your computer and e-mail back to us along with your resume and references. You must have Microsoft Word installed on your computer to use this option.

    NOTE: It is best to right-click on the download link above, save the file to disk (Save Target As in Explorer), open in MS Word, then under the File menu in Word, Send To, Mail Recipient (as attachment).

Questions? Please e-mail premdas@expandinglight.org or call 800-346-5350 or 530-478-7518.

Premdas Ghirla

Kitchen Manager and Head Chef

Premdas Ghirla

Premdas comes from an extensive background in the hospitality industry. He has been restaurant / food and beverage manager at several 4 and 5 star establishments, such as The Four Seasons Hotel group, The Fairmont Hotel in San Francisco, Pebble Beach Corporation, the Carmel Highlands Inn, and The Sonoma Mission Inn and Spa. In his 30-year career, Premdas was also the Director of the California Culinary Academy’s Sommelier Academy, where he lectured publicly, gave class instruction and consulted with restaurants and wineries throughout the United States.

Since 1992 he has been an Ananda Yoga Teacher and was the Ananda Meditation Group leader in Carmel, California before serving in Ananda’s Palo Alto and Assisi, Italy communities. Presently, both he and his wife live in Ananda Village and serve at The Expanding Light. Premdas‘ enthusiasm for sharing life’s blessings and his joy of cooking is contagious!

From a Vegetarian Cooking student:

“This program fulfilled my expectations for a lifetime! The wealth of spices, natural ingredients, cooking creation possibilities are endless.

Premdas taught me most to cook with heart, soul, and Spirit. I arrived at the Ananda Vegetarian Cooking class with an open mind and an open heart. I left not only with a mind full of knowledge and a heart filled with more love, but also a stomach filled with delicious, joy-filled food!

Premdas not only shared his wealth of cooking experience and expertise, he also shared his loving spirit and delight for all that he does.”

– Jeanine, Daly City, California

Cost

$550 for 3 months.

The cost is the same as the Karma Yoga Program: $200 for the first month and $175 for the second and third months.

For more information, e-mail Premdas at premdas@expandinglight.org or call him at 800-346-5350 or 530-478-7518, ext. 7098.