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A complete culinary experience that nurtured us physically, mentally, and spiritually


In April 2022, I organized a holistic retreat in the heart of nature, at Farm of Consciousness, and I was very happy to collaborate with Elyas for the meals we offered to the participants. The food was more than just food, it was a complete culinary experience that nurtured us physically, mentally, and spiritually. We enjoyed delicious and balanced dishes that were specially made to match the retreat’s theme – Ayurveda. It was everything that each participant needed to find their inner balance. Thank you, Elyas, for the teamwork, thank you for your ability to adapt to less equipped kitchens and thank you for the most delicious and nutritious dining experience.

Andreea Dumitru – Yoga Teacher & Therapist @ Ananda Yatra Yoga

Eating in togetherness with Elyas


“If you really want to make a friend, go to someone’s house and eat with him…the people who give you their food give you their heart.” Cesar Chavez

I’ve never put much value on my meals. Unfortunately, I did not inherit the pleasure with which my grandmothers spent a lot of time in the kitchen, and until now I have not had the opportunity to develop a pleasure in cooking. I always hide under the excuse that I don’t have time to cook, but in fact I often long to develop that creativity in the kitchen, the one that almost alchemically transforms colorful and fragrant ingredients into compositions worthy of framing. Maybe once in a while, the time will come. Obviously, when I have the opportunity to go to a restaurant, I like to try new dishes, but I mostly choose dishes with meat or fish.

On the eve of our departure to Racoș, the small and magical village in Brașov county, which for 2 weeks became our “home”, we knew that Elyas, whom we barely knew, would accompany us, to keep us from hating and cook for us during the maGma residencies. Said and done. We would pack our clothes, or cables, or wood that would become art installations or scenes or shade, and he would pack his fruits and vegetables and spices, which would also become works of art, as ephemeral as his ours, because they didn’t last too long on the plates. It was the first time in my life that “eating” became more than a utilitarian activity that helps you increase your strength. And that without meat! 🙂

You could always find Elyas working around the kitchen, leaving something to macerate, soak, overnight, mixing in his pots and pans, or decorating platters that caught your eye or nose. Lunch time was a feast that engaged all your senses, and for us, the maGma team and the guest artists, it was the only time of the day when we were all present. Elyas’s philosophy was simple – you are what you eat – and he made sure every time that we were beautiful, bright and so tasty beings. Without exception, each of us was amazed by how much inventiveness, creativity, alchemy was found in the prepared dishes. Without exception, we got up from the table enchanted and curious about the next lunch in the shade of the vine vault at Casa Anna 🙂 But what happened at the meals together, was more than the activity of eating. Elyas could create such a pleasant atmosphere with a word, a smile, a lightness of his being that was infectious without exception.

I can say without exaggeration that it helped us a lot to complete the mission of maGma, and contributed to the magic of the experience. In addition, thanks to him, I ate okra for the first time :)) Thank you from the bottom of my heart for the rays of sunshine on our plates.

Carmen Zmaranda, Mother of maGma Residency & Cultural Curator

Elyas is something of a magician in the kitchen, i would say that he is actually guided by divine grace when he cooks


We were toying for quite some time with the idea of having a private chef to cook for the retreats we organize, and when the opportunity arised, we started looking for the right guy to match our needs and ideas. And so we met Elyas. He is something of a magician in the kitchen. I would say that he is actually guided by divine grace when he cooks

We had two retreats together, and I was surprised to notice how well he created the menu to match the activities we prepared and how good it fitted the participants.

Food is a primary need, and Elyas turns this process into nurturing of one’s soul!

Gloria Ciolachi, yoga teacher & retreat facilitator

I highly recommend trying Elyas’ vegan cuisine – you won’t be disappointed!


I was blown away by the delicious vegan food prepared by Elyas for a private dinner I attended a while ago. Not only was it incredibly tasty, but it left me feeling nourished and satisfied. I was impressed by Elyas’ creativity and attention to detail in each dish. I highly recommend trying his vegan cuisine – you won’t be disappointed!

Cristian Bala, facilitator retreat-uri și fondator @ Neo3nos

The most surprising, exciting, satisfying journey of senses I ever experienced


To taste what Elyas is cooking is like the most surprising, exciting, satisfying journey of senses I ever experienced when it comes to culinary art. It is truly art. Starting with the attention he puts to the visual presentation of the dishes. Just looking at them is a delight by itself. Then the taste… I didn’t come across something more savory yet.

It’s an experience. Everytime so different, in every way. The diversity of his ‘artworks’ which are mostly spontaneous inventions is just mind-blowing. And I can objectively state this, as I am blessed with having tasted countless of his creations.

More than that, his whole system of beliefs is tuned to an existence in harmony with all beings and the planet, so he always makes sure his ingredients are 100% cruelty-free, and as much as possible locally resourced and waste-free.

If you want to turn a lunch, brunch or dinner into a conscious, cosmic experience never to be forget, Elyas is the one I’d recommend anytime with no second thought.

Zeyla Tomlyn – Musician, Artist, Spiritual Guide & Facilitator

I would’ve never thought that a menu represented only by vegetarian dishes could excite me so much


I had the opportunity to try Elyas’ food at the New Year’s Eve party at Cafeteca Weiss in Brasov. The dishes were suprisingly good. I am not really a meat lover, but I would’ve never thought that a menu represented only by vegetarian dishes could excite me so much. So very well done!

Andra Halippa

Passionate, charming, and soulful


These are the words that first come to mind when trying to describe Elyas and his cookery – although they merely scratch the surface of the complexity he encompasses in everything that he is and does.

Having the honour to witness every step of his process, i can confidently say that there is an infinite amount of care that he pours into his craft. The mindful gathering, gentle prepping and an overall playful and curious approach all add up to a culinary experience that undoubtedly is going to leave your mouth watering and your soul smiling.

I think that being able to make the transition from a good cook to a full-on food alchemist is quite the challenge. But seems to me that Elyas is seamlessly and effortlessly tapping into this realm, with every dish unlocking new levels of the tasty magic he has brewing inside him.

Andrea Stan, graphic designer & lettering guru

Elyas cooks like an artist!


It’s a food to be enjoyed in peace, with refined combinations of textures and tastes… but you cannot eat it in peace, you want to stuff yourself, it’s that good! At brunch with our mouths full, ”Oh how good is this, have you tasted the other one?”, until there was nothing left, and then we enjoyed socializing. Just writing about it makes me hungry! And he’s such a cool dude that he doesn’t keep the recipe for himself, but explains it step by step. I even “stole” a delicious sauce. I recommend his work with many exclamation marks!!

Amia Rosa, retreat facilitator

The vegan cooking class that we organized together was a real success


It was a pleasure to work with Elyas. We started our collaboration in Food Wave international project, within which he quickly became an activist. His dedication and talent made us choose him as a trainer in our activities. The vegan cooking class that we organized together was a real success in terms of engagement. It was the first exclusively vegan event of the project and the participants were pleasantly surprised and delighted by the taste and aroma that vegan food can have when properly cooked and seasoned.

Alina Nicoară, deputy director & project manager @ Brașov Metropolitan Agency

It was a pleasure to see you cooking and listening to the story behind!


There is a gift that Elyas has. And that’s the gift of bringing the smile on your face and to touch your soul with the taste.

I’ve experienced with him the art of spontaneous cooking, of creating alchemy between ingredients and then a whole alchemy in the mouth of those who tasted the dishes he created.

What more can I say? I’m a big fan, and I definitely won’t miss any opportunity to eat and enjoy when there is Elyas in the kitchen.

Beside that, the food is nutricious, delicious and healthy. Ingredients are chosen with care and attention, organic ones, no hydrogenated oils, sugars, colorants. Healthy good food.

One thing is to be good, and another to be good and healthy, made with love and care and promoting an ethical lifestyle.

Laura Buvnariu, founder @ Body&Mind

Food for the Soul

 


Elyas is an artist of cuisine; the master who can pick random ingredients and transform them into a unique, delicious healthy meal.

 

He cooks with balance, combining the flavors and colors in harmony. He cooks with love, reaching the ultimate details of a magnífique gastronomic experience.

 

His pleasure in serving food can be felt in the whole ritual: from the raw vegetable and food product choices, made with awareness, to the cooking techniques, serving styles, eating manners, and waste management and composting.

 

It is Food for the Soul, honoring ourselves and the Earth. Thank you for all the wonderful moments together around the table. 🥬

 

Rui Vasques, founder @ Live with Earth