"Macrobiotics does not offer a single diet for everyone but a dietary principle that takes into account differing climatic and geographical considerations, varying ages, sexes, and levels of activity, and ever changing personal needs."
[Michio Kushi]

"Macrobiotics amounts to finding our physiological limitations and trying to live within them. This is the cultivation of humbleness. When we think we can do anything we want, we become arrogant. This arrogance causes sickness."
[Herman Aihara]

"We human beings have health as a natural birthright and we are totally responsible for our success or failure in realizing that birthright. Diet is one very important factor in our achieving health."
[Ronald E. Kotzsch, Ph.D.]

Our Staff

Faculty members are drawn from the Austin community and around the world. Faculty are graduates from a variety of schools including The Natural Epicurean Academy of Culinary Arts, The Kushi Institute, The Vega Study Center and traditional culinary programs. All have extensive macrobiotic training. Throughout the year, guest teachers and chefs are invited to give specialty classes in their areas of expertise. Teachers receive up-to-date information and ongoing education through annual workshops and conferences held throughout the United States.


rosa Rosa Vera
Culinary Program Coordinator
512.657.9191 • rosa@naturalepicurean.com
Rosa, a new mommy and communication powerhouse, is here to cater to the student experience from application to graduation. She will assist students with registration, internship, book reports, and community events. Please contact her to schedule progress meetings to answer your questions or concerns about policies and procedures, class attendance, graduation requirements, or program status.


christina Christina Terriquez
Curriculum Coordinator
512.633.6931 • christina@naturalepicurean.com
Christina, master of recipe conversion and home processing, manages our class scheduling and curriculum development. She also oversees the teaching faculty and the overall effectiveness of classes. She is responsible for ensuring a high quality classroom experience and ensuring that classes run smoothly.



winnie Winnie Hsia
Marketing Coordinator and Web Mistress
512.772.4661 • winnie@naturalepicurean.com
Winnie, a magical being of hyper productivity and silliness, develops all marketing materials for The Natural Epicurean including flyers, brochures and this very website! She also handles all advertising and media relations, as well as supports Rosa in community outreach events.




karen Karen Gifford
Store and Office Manager
512.476.2276 • karen@naturalepicurean.com
Karen, an ever-welcoming presence in our store/office, manages The Natural Epicurean Macrobiotic Specialty Store. She can provide you with information on pricing and availability of specialty food and cookware items carried in the store.