MEET DIEKE

It All Started with a Cauliflower Pizza

I was introduced to Dieke a couple of weeks ago at a transformative shamanic retreat (more about that soon with Marjolein’s story), in the Spanish mountains surrounded by orange & olive trees, herbs and vegetables with a backdrop of views that can take your breath away. As soon as I met Dieke the radiance of her beautiful personality greets you with a hug as colourful as the dishes she creates from her kitchen.

Dieke’s journey as a chef, and cuisine magician is not just about food, it's about transformation.  Her kitchen becomes a sanctuary of its own, echoing the energy and phases of the work being done throughout the week on the retreat.

“When there's a true retreat going on, shifts happen for me as well, even though I'm not in the actual sessions,” Dieke muses. “Cooking for retreats allows me to be part of the group work. I'm not physically in the space, but I feel connected in the kitchen. The food I prepare reflects the group's journey.” And honestly it really does, the tastes, textures, colours and flavours seemed to be an extension of our daily practises.  I was in food heaven every single day!

For me Dieke’s dishes are more than just meals; they’re an experience. “You’re destined to be famous,” I tell her. “You have a magic in your cooking that no ingredient can replicate. It's like a secret sauce that transcends the food itself.”

Dieke's creativity in the kitchen knows no bounds, and her ideas often come from the most unexpected places. “I love working with colours and fresh produce from the garden. Each dish is a fusion of different inspirations, and sometimes the best creations come from almost empty fridge and happy accidents when I’m cooking.”

One morning, while walking her dogs, she found a beautiful piece of dry root, which she later discovered was rosemary. She lovingly cleaned it, transforming it into a magickal wand for her kitchen. “I want to make videos that capture the magic of what happens in my kitchen. This wand will be a perfect prop,” she laughs.

Despite her culinary prowess, Dieke never saw herself as a cook. Growing up, food wasn't a passion in her family. "My mom didn’t really enjoy cooking, so our meals were pretty basic. I didn't discover many vegetables until I was in my twenties. When I moved to Ibiza ten years ago, my dietary habits changed due to health issues, and I started experimenting with gluten-free and dairy-free recipes.  This was where I met Marjolein (Marjolein’s story is coming next week!).”

It was on Ibiza that the idea of a cauliflower pizza first sparked her culinary journey. "Marjolein and I were experimenting with gluten-free options and stumbled upon the idea of a cauliflower pizza. It was so vibrant and colourful, breaking the mould of what a pizza should be.”

This spirit of innovation carried Dieke through various roles, from a kitchen assistant to a retreat chef. "During Covid, I lost my job as a floor manager at a retreat centre but found solace and a new calling in the kitchen. It was then Marjolein encouraged me to become her chef, and when I fully embraced my passion of cooking.”

Her future is bright, filled with dreams of traveling to Thailand and the Middle East to learn and share culinary traditions. "I’m planning a trip to Africa to visit my sister and immerse myself in the local Togolese cuisine. A unique magic happens when we share and learn from each other.”

Balancing work and hobbies is crucial for Dieke. "I love nature walks, spending time with our dogs (of which she has the most beautiful dog and crazy dog, a completely unique character) and creative projects like wood burning and making beeswax wraps.”

Looking ahead, Dieke envisions a life of creative freedom. She’s in the middle of publishing a community inspired cookbook together with Marjolein and launching a line of handmade upcycled aprons with her sister and mother. “The aprons will be unique pieces made from colourful residues and scrappy jeans. A project in memory of my younger brother, where the profits will go to support small sustainable family businesses in Africa who want to make a difference in this world”.

“I'd love to have a cottage in the mountains of Spain with a garden full of fresh herbs, fruits and vegetables where my vision of fusing together some magical ingredients and zero waste projects can be manifested.”

Her journey is a testament to the power of passion and creativity. "Each step, each dish, is part of a larger story of transformation. I hope my work inspires others to find their own magic in the kitchen and beyond.”

What I personally love about embracing life, is you never know where an innocent thought or inspiration will take you. With Dieke it all started with a cauliflower pizza proving that the best recipes are the ones that both nourish and feed your soul.

You can connect with Dieke and book her for your upcoming retreat at:

Instagram: @my_magickal_cookery

Facebook: @ Magickal Cookery