About Chef Mima

Raised with a love of growing things, hard work, and good food, Chef Mima learned the craft of cuisine at her French peasant maman’s iconic bakery, La Farine, in Oakland, California.

While pursuing a dual degree in French and Comparative Literature at UC Berkeley, Mima worked for Alice Waters at Chez Panisse, first as a waitress and then as a cook. After graduating she stayed true to her roots and spent the next couple of decades on culinary pursuits before moving on to a new career in French and culinary education.

In time, this path led Chef Mima to the sprawling beauty of Paradise Mountain, where she shares the breathtaking views with her wonderful husband, two cats, one dog, four chickens, and a rabbit—and perhaps a goat next! As a risk-taker and “people person”, opening their mountain abode to new friends seemed like the obvious next step for Mima. She strives to embark on thrilling culinary adventures with her guests, and while she may go a bit overboard on the nurturing, she believes there is always space for a kind heart when it comes to adopting people, plants, animals, and sometimes even other people’s “treasures”.

In addition to running the Redwood Retreat, a reinvigorating campsite venue on the grounds of her sprawling 16-acre property, Chef Mima has grown Chez Mima into a multifaceted business that shares the joys of the culinary experience through camp catering, outdoor dining, and intimate cooking classes for small groups. Whether for a weekend escape, an afternoon of culinary exploration and delight, or as a scenic event venue, Mima has an experience to fit any taste.