Cooking with ZARA JUNE
I’m Zara, known as The Macro Muse—a private chef, macrobiotic teacher, and nutrition educator specializing in personalized, nutrition-driven cuisine.
My foundation in Biology and Nutritional Science from the University of San Francisco led me to explore the relationship between food, health, and performance. I went on to complete advanced macrobiotic training at the Kushi Institute in Massachusetts, where I studied macrobiotic philosophy, food energetics, therapeutic cooking, shiatsu, and diagnostic principles. I later served as the Institute’s head chef and cooking class assistant, developing a culinary philosophy rooted in seasonality, balance, and whole-food cooking.
Over the past 18+ years, I have worked as a private chef in residences, retreats, and specialized culinary environments, creating highly personalized meals for individuals and families with a wide range of dietary needs. My experience includes working with seasonal, plant-forward cuisine at renowned culinary and wellness destinations including Chez Panisse and Esalen, as well as professional experience with Honor Bar.
Most recently, I expanded my classical culinary training at The Culinary Institute of America in Napa, graduating in 2026 after studying Mediterranean, Asian, and Garde Manger techniques.
Today, I bring together culinary technique, nutrition education, and my macrobiotic background to create food that is both deeply nourishing and genuinely enjoyable. Whether preparing meals for a private residence, creating a macrobiotic menu, or developing food around individual dietary needs, my approach is thoughtful, seasonal, and highly personalized.
CLIENT TESTIMONIAL
“In her role as our chef, Zara has showcased exceptional culinary skills. She has a diverse repertoire of dishes and an impressive ability to cater to our family’s dietary preferences and restrictions. Zara consistently prepares nutritious and diverse meals, always with a focus on quality and health. Her creativity in the kitchen and dedication to using fresh, healthy ingredients have made mealtime a delightful experience for our entire family.”
-F. PENOT
"Chef Zara was a dream to work with. She prepared the best vegan food for our Joshua Tree Retreat and everyone loved her creations. We love how she prepares the food with such love and how delicious, nourishing, and beautifully prepared it was!! Everyone raved about the food and it made our retreat unforgettable!! We hope to work with her again soon!"
- BRITT & TARA from the ELEVATE THE GLOBE
“Zara’s meals are delicious and healthy, she shops carefully and is mindful with food allergies/sensitivities/requests. Our family had several ever-changing health issues that she was happily game to be team player with.”
-JENNIFER MEDLEY
“Zara is timely, organized, and meticulous in her work. She adapted seamlessly to the evolving needs of our household — from accommodating dietary changes and managing meals for young children to executing last-minute dinner parties with ease. She not only fulfilled every request with precision, but also contributed her own creative ideas, enriching our dining experience in meaningful ways. Notably, she introduced us to new techniques, including the art of pickling, which quickly became a family favorite.”
-SHANK FAMILY
“We went from daily cooking and cleaning in the kitchen to spending more time with our family as soon as Zara started. She’s an incredible chef and she’s fast, a hard worker and trustworthy. Having her help has changed our lives!”
- MAGNO FAMILY
