About Me

Hi, I’m Ridvan (Rudy) Parlak, and this is my story.

I studied integrated nutrition to become a qualified health coach but my real story begins way before that. As a talented, passionate holistic whole food Chef, Restaurateur and Entrepreneur – my goal is to educate people and clarify the information around food, health and wellness. My niche is in working with individuals who are willing to take charge of their well-being through their food and drink choices.

When you’re healthy, everything is possible. When you give your body the opportunity to be healthy, it works efficiently by itself and naturally supports itself. I teach compassionate wellness and want to be part of the solution, rather than the problem with modern day society and how we treat our body.

I want to make a difference, contribute and create awareness about the positive effects of eating healthy and nutritious food and drinks.

I started cooking as a young boy with my Mum in Turkey, where I grew up. My Mum was the greatest cook in the world! Many of the recipes I use today are a variation of those recipes, with a Mediterranean and Middle Eastern influence.With no formal training as a chef (just a deep desire to create in the kitchen), I surrounded myself with talented chefs and learned from them over 25 years launching and successfully running three restaurants.

I added my own individual flair for sourcing and utilising the very best ingredients that nature has to offer. Creative passion drove me forward and confidence in what I had to offer the world.

The entrepreneur in me created in each instance, vibrant, unique offerings, a far cry from the ‘norm’ of the time – restaurants with a community feel, nestled amongst the glitterati and high rises.

I believe in community.

If great food is the key to wellness, then community is food for the soul. What I wanted to create was a sense of community right in the heart of Auckland.

I was ahead of my time…and I know that now!  Each of my signature dishes had a story and beneath that story was where the components of the dish came from – local fishermen as they came into the harbour, local organic growers and fish markets and food from his own garden.

My restaurants embodied my love of the ocean, spear fishing, and free diving. My creative side is highly motivated by fresh seafood, and I never lost the excitement of watching the boats come in when I was a child in Istanbul. If you’ve never tasted my version of ‘fish and chips’ with my secret ingredients in the batter then you’re truly missing out on a life experience.

There are no limits with food – but… you’ve got to be “set free” to create. I believe that it’s the ultimate freedom.

How does this link to where I am now ?

Mind, body, spirit……everything starts in the kitchen !

My latest venture sees me out of the restaurant trade and into a sprawling rural property in Kaiwaka. I have lovingly restored the property to include peaceful and restful accommodation, a working kitchen to show first-hand how your life can be changed through food and an inspirational setting to teach my wellness workshops. I offer weekend workshops and retreats from the wellness centre and also conduct public speaking at national and international events.

People who attend my wellness centre remain riveted on my words – as I explain and walk them through the mind, body link from food and towards ultimate wellness. My philosophies are insightful and are backed up by current research. My formal training as a nutritional coach and my own personal take on why whatever you’ve tried up to now hasn’t worked.

My gift is in unravelling why nothing has worked for you up to now – how modern day society has played its part and in how listening to others, the media, and buying into what is ‘normal’ and accepted today has prevented you from listening to yourself, your heart, your body, your soul.

What are you waiting for ? Your personal road to wellness begins right here.

Make the change.

Help your body to help itself!

And set yourself free to be whatever you want to be, and do whatever you want to do.

Talk to me about 1-1 coaching to personalise a programme just for you or look out for my latest event on Event Finder or upcoming events on my website.

However you find your way to me, know that I have your best interests at heart, will do everything in my power to teach, motivate, and inspire you to wellness, and am looking forward to connecting with you and working with you.

I have come to the conclusion that we can be our own doctor, we can heal ourselves….but it all starts with listening and then taking action on our intuition – nature does the rest.

When we align our minds, bodies, and emotions our inner healing journey begins.

Rudy (Ridvan Parlak)