Macrobiotic cooking and counseling

SUSAN W. MILLER, M.A
Special to The Times

May 27, 2007

Question:: Recently a friend of mine was diagnosed with cancer and began eating a macrobiotic diet as an alternative-treatment approach. She said she had met with a healing cook and macrobiotic counselor who taught her how to cook macrobiotic meals. I have always enjoyed cooking and was hoping you could tell me more about macrobiotics or how to become a healing cook. Is there training available that is specifically oriented toward macrobiotic methods and counseling?
— Reid

Response: Macrobiotics, meaning "long life," is the theory or practice of promoting well-being by means of a diet consisting chiefly of whole grains and beans. It involves creating a healthy lifestyle and is considered by some an alternative treatment in cancer, arthritis, depression, migraine headaches and other ills.

Macrobiotic chefs may instruct private clients interested in making the transition from the standard American diet to a whole-grain diet based on the principles of macrobiotics. They teach clients how to balance their diets for optimal health and how to read food labels to make healthy choices and cook macrobiotic meals. Many healing cooks (macrobiotic chefs) work in conjunction with a macrobiotic counselor providing meals for their patients/clients.

Counselors conduct macrobiotic health assessments, discuss the macrobiotic view of the cause of a client's health problems, and personalize dietary, lifestyle and home remedy and food recommendations.

Employment Outlook
According to a representative of the Kushi Institute, which certifies macrobiotic instructors, counselors and chefs, the macrobiotic movement started in the early 1980s and is gaining greater acceptance in hospitals, clinics and other settings, particularly as an alternative treatment for cancer patients.

Some celebrities with private chefs follow macrobiotic diets. In Los Angeles, several restaurants employ chefs trained in macrobiotics, including M Cafe de Chaya on Melrose Avenue and Inaka on La Brea Boulevard. For additional restaurants in Los Angeles that prepare macrobiotic food and are vegetarian- or vegan-friendly, see www.vegparadise.com.

Training Options and Costs
One way to prepare for a career as a macrobiotic chef is to train at a culinary institute that offers these courses, such as:

Los Angeles Trade Technical College (LATTC): 400 W. Washington Blvd.; Los Angeles, CA 90015; (213) 763-7000; wellness.lattc.edu

LATTC's culinary arts department is accredited by the American Culinary Federation Educational Institute (ACFEI) and offers an associate of arts degree in culinary arts over four semesters. Classes are held Monday through Thursday in the morning and early afternoon. Class time is divided between lecture-demonstrations and hands-on work, totaling 21 hours a week.

Students learn in and operate from the college's commercial kitchens, two restaurants, cafeteria and catering areas. Courses include macrobiotic cooking, ethnic cuisine, food service, safety and sanitation.

Los Angeles residents pay tuition of $20 per unit. Non-California residents pay out-of-state tuition of $130 per unit. Students must purchase their textbooks, tools and other supplies.

You could also train and complete certification as a macrobiotic counselor and chef through the Kushi Institute:

Kushi Institute: (800) 975-8744; www.kushiinstitute.org

This institute certifies macrobiotic instructors, chefs and counselors. To qualify for enrollment in the counselor or healing cook certificate program, you must complete three weeklong training sessions to become an instructor. Each level of the training program includes four main subjects: macrobiotic cooking, diagnosis, healing and shiatsu massage.

The cost per training session is $3,995, not including travel and room and board. The cost of a room shared with another student is $300; a single room is $450.

After completing the three levels of training, you can enroll in the six-session macrobiotic counselor certificate program or the two-week healing cook certificate program. Sessions are offered several times a year. The entire program can be completed in two years and costs $9,000.

Another school to consider:

Macrobiotics America: P.O. Box 1874; Oroville, CA 95965; (877) 622-2637; info@macroamerica.com; www.macroamerica.com

The facility includes online interactive multimedia with curriculum and instruction by David Briscoe, who is certified by the Kushi Institute and has expertise in teaching, counseling, professional cooking, restaurant ownership and center development.

Students learn and apply macrobiotic principles and develop skills in counseling. The program includes regular online discussions and multimedia learning sessions with the instructor. The course is organized into 10 subjects, including healing theory, anatomy and physiology, diagnosis, dietary recommendations, women's health and hospice.

Students can complete courses offline at their own pace and have up to a year to complete the material. The cost is $3,500 when paid 30 days in advance or $4,200 thereafter. The courses begin on Jan. 15, June 15 or Sept. 15.

Salary Range
Entry-level annual salaries for chefs in the Los Angeles area ranges from $37,500 to $51,505. The earnings of a private chef can range from $200 to $300 a day.

According to a representative of the Kushi Institute, the earnings of a macrobiotic counselor range from approximately $100 to $300 per 1 to 1½-hour session.

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Susan W. Miller, M.A., is a National Certified Career Counselor, a Certified Vocational Evaluation Specialist and holds diplomate status on the American Board of Vocational Experts. She heads California Career Services, a private practice career counseling firm in Los Angeles.

E-mail career questions you'd like answered in this column to info@californiacareerservices.com or visit California Career Services at www.californiacareerservices.com.