Kathryn Gillis — Personal Wellness Chef

About Kathryn

A culinary practice where your health goals meet life-giving food.

Kathryn Gillis is a Personal Chef serving Waynesville and the greater Western North Carolina region. Her passion for excellence in hospitality traces back to her early career at the Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida. Today, as a Brain Health Licensed Trainer in Dr. Daniel Amen's programs, she supports clients in nurturing their body and their brain.

With more than two decades of experience in clinical nutrition, Kathryn partners with discerning clients to craft delicious, carefully prepared menus that fuel everyday life and support health at the cellular level. Her work is inspired by the rich agricultural heritage of the Southern Appalachians—incorporating organic heirloom grains, pasture-raised proteins, healing herbs, and organic produce from neighboring WNC farms.

Whether she is preparing a week of restorative meals for a couple in their retirement season, streamlining dinner for busy professionals who need healthy fuel, or serving a family focused on whole-food eating, Kathryn brings the same steady hand: thoughtful sourcing, simple technique, and connection to the Lord and people.

"Preserving the health of the body is a form of gratitude to the Creator." – Thomas Aquinas

Services

Considered offerings for a well-lived life.

Each engagement begins with a private consultation, during which we discuss your health intentions and dietary preferences. From there, every detail is tailored to support you in this season of life while also considering your next 10 years.

Weekly Meal Program:

One dedicated cooking day in your kitchen. I plan, shop, cook, label everything for easy reheating, and leave your kitchen spotless.

3–4 custom-designed entrees optimized for clean eating. Use them to cover dinner or lunch throughout the week + 2-3 nourishing, ready-to-assemble morning staples to rotate through and start your day with intention. Organic, locally sourced, life-giving food. No seed oils, pesticides, or additives. Ever.

This service begins with a comprehensive health intake to ensure that each meal will actively support your body's needs from the inside, out.

From $450 per visit + groceries at cost

Customized Add-ons

Elevate your weekly menu with cold-pressed juices and potent wellness shots. Crafted in small batches using organic, locally sourced produce, these functional elixirs are designed to target your specific wellness goals—from morning immunity boosts to afternoon digestive support. Curated specifically for you.

Quoted as-needed / requested

Cooking Classes

Join an intimate, small-group cooking class hosted in a local culinary space. Designed for groups of four to six people, these hands-on sessions cover specific skills like mastering sourdough bread, crafting healing soups, and preparing nutritious breakfast staples. We'll cook together and you'll take the recipe, skills, and food home to enjoy.

Quoted per event

Culinary Coaching

Hands-on guidance in your own kitchen. Learn foundational nutrition basics, seasonal recipe libraries, menu-planning, and how to build a wellness-aligned pantry that serves your household for years to come.

$220 per session

Post-operative, post-partum, anti-inflammatory, insulin resistance (low-glycemic), Daniel Plan, and other supportive programs are included in your customized nutrition plan.

PhilosophY: 1 Corinthians 10:31

Food as a quiet, daily act of stewardship. "So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God"

I

Sourced with intention

I build relationships with the farmers and ranchers of Western North Carolina. Every ingredient has a name and a place. I select organic, heritage, and regeneratively-farmed ingredients as much as possible. Quality is of upmost importance. As is keeping chemicals, pesticides, and additives out of your food.

II

Cooked with joy

The best ingredients require little adornment and are bursting with flavor. My techniques consider how to keep your food as healthy as possible while also being truly enjoyable to eat. Additionally, I'm ServSafe certified, bringing peace of mind and exceptional standards to your kitchen.

III

Served with presence

Whether your table seats one or six, meals are an occasion. A time to relax and connect with the Lord and our loved ones while also being restored by healing food. My intention is to bring calm, warmth, and the kind of health that nourishes from the inside, out. Health is truly priceless, and it's my honor to provide the best food possible.

Kind Words

Trusted in homes across the Smokies.

“

I felt like the meals were tailored to our needs and taking the Health Assessment ahead of time and getting to speak to her about our health was very valuable. We have embrace the "Food is Medicine" concept!

JOhnny & Lisa A. · Waynesville

“

After my surgery, Kathryn designed a six-week program that made my recovery much less stressful. Every meal was a gift!

Dr. Eleanor S. · Asheville

Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

How does the pricing work?

My service uses a Service Fee + Grocery Cost model. The weekly service fee covers menu customization, ingredient sourcing, in-home cooking labor, packaging, and kitchen cleanup. Groceries are billed separately at exact cost, ensuring you only pay for the premium ingredients used in your custom dishes.

What does the Service Fee cover?

The service fee primarily covers a dedicated day of professional culinary labor. Crafting 3 to 4 entirely distinct, custom wellness entrees and scratch-baked artisanal items requires up to 8 hours of work (4-5 hours in your home) and includes menu planning, grocery shopping, specialized preparation, portioning, labeling, and kitchen cleanup.

How are grocery expenses handled?

To keep the process seamless, I shop on my card and you reimburse the exact amount. Typical weekly grocery budget runs $180–$280, depending on your proteins. I can also collect an estimated grocery deposit and deliver the receipts. Any remaining balance from your deposit is either credited toward your next week or settled via invoice.

How many meals will I actually get?

Each weekly visit provides 8 to 12 complete meals. The core menu consists of 3 to 4 distinct entrees, which are packaged into multiple lunch and dinner portions based on your menu preferences and household size. In addition to these entrees, your fridge is fully stocked with Artisanal Breakfast Bar essentials—including a complete quiche, a full loaf of sourdough bread, and a jar of organic sprouted granola—giving you effortless, nourishing fuel for your mornings.

Do you have a Sample Menu?

Each menu is customized for the client based on their health goals and preferences. Some examples:

Dinner and Lunch Entrees:
• Grass-Fed Steak Bowls: Seasoned seared steak tips tossed in olive oil with sautéed bell peppers and onions, served over a bed of organic rice or quinoa.
• Hearty Chicken & Wild Rice Soup: A comforting, classic bone broth loaded with pasture-raised shredded chicken, carrots, celery, zucchini, and fresh herbs.
• Baked Lemon-Herb Cod: Flaky whitefish baked with lemon, garlic, and fresh dill, paired with roasted green beans and local mushrooms.
• Coconut Chickpea Curry: A fragrant, velvety coconut milk broth with chickpeas, carrots, celery, red bell peppers, and fresh cilantro over organic Jasmin rice.

Featured Breakfast Additions:
• Fresh-Baked Organic Sourdough Bread: Naturally fermented heritage grain with local honey.
• Organic Sprouted Oat Granola: With shredded coconut, toasted pecans, pumpkin seeds, and local honey.
• Leek & Thyme Quiche: Made with free-range eggs and artisanal sheep cheese.

What specific ingredients do you use?

I prioritize premium, health-supportive ingredients. This includes 100% organic produce, grass-fed and pasture-raised meats, wild-caught seafood, long-fermented heritage grains, raw or artisanal sheep/goat cheeses, and locally sourced raw honey. I strictly avoid seed oils, pesticides, and artificial additives.

Can you accommodate specific allergies or medical diets?

Absolutely. As a personal wellness chef, I specialize in tailoring menus to support specific lifestyle and therapeutic goals. Whether you require strict gluten-free, dairy-free, low-FODMAP, anti-inflammatory, or other health parameters, your menu will be designed safely and exclusively for you.

Do I need to be home while you are cooking?

No, you do not need to be home. Many of my clients provide a house key, garage code, or concierge access. You can go about your day and return home to a spotless kitchen and refrigerator fully stocked with fresh meals to fuel your week.

What kind of containers do I need to provide?

To preserve the structural and nutritional integrity of your food, I highly recommend a matching set of high-quality glass storage containers. During our initial consultation, I will provide a recommended list of specific sizes and brands that fit perfectly in your refrigerator and allow for safe reheating.

Begin a Conversation

Reserve your private consultation.

New engagements are accepted on a limited basis to ensure each client receives Kathryn's full attention. Please share a few details and you will hear back within two business days.

Serving Waynesville and the surrounding Western North Carolina mountains

personalwellnesschefservices@gmail.com

By appointment only · Monday through Friday

Nourishing body &mind, in your kitchen.