The College of Naturopathic Medicine (CNM): Europe's leading training provider in natural therapies

We are delighted to welcome back The College of Naturopathic Medicine (CNM) as our Food & Drink Matters Training Provider of the Year for its groundbreaking Natural Chef course.

The Multi-Award-Winning College of Naturopathic Medicine (CNM) was founded in 1998 by Naturopath Hermann Keppler and has grown at an exponential rate over the last 26 years.

In this issue, we are focusing on the CNM Natural Chef Diploma Course. The course runs for 9-12 months, incorporating over 840 hours of cuttingedge education, including 100 hours internship in an external kitchen. Throughout the course, students study modules like: how the body works, nutrition for everyday living and have the option to study online or in-person in London.

We caught up with the Natural Chef Course Director: Sam Hamrebtan to find out how the course has fared over the last twelve months, “The past year has been exciting and transformative for the CNM Natural Chef course, driven by a significant increase in interest in natural and sustainable cooking as more people recognise the impact of nutrition on health.

The CNM Natural Chef course has been a magnet for students seeking meaningful career changes. Many come from diverse fields and view this course as a practical way to begin a more fulfilling career aligned with values in health and wellness.

This past academic year saw comprehensive updates to the course materials, including the recording of all lectures and food preparation demonstrations. This added resource allows students to review and reinforce what they’ve learned outside of class. Additionally, we introduced a state-of-the-art learning hub where students can gather to attend tutorials, join webinars, and share ideas.

These advancements have paved the way for us to offer a fully online version of the CNM Natural Chef course, enhancing accessibility. Students from around the world can now experience high-quality culinary education without the need for travel. The online course provides interactive virtual lectures, cooking demos, and hands-on assignments, offering a complete education in natural cooking that accommodates students’ personal and professional lives. This flexibility has been a significant benefit for aspiring chefs, allowing them to develop healthy cooking skills from home.”

CNM’s Natural Chef training stands out as the only naturopathic chef training in the UK and Ireland, with an option to complete the course in a vegan format. Alongside the enhanced online learning platforms, CNM has partnered with new local health food shops, wellness centres, and cafes to provide students with real-world experience and networking opportunities. These partnerships have greatly benefit students and strengthened CNM’s community connections, promoting the value of natural health.

The food industry is furthermore rapidly embracing sustainability best practice across food packaging, ingredients and cooking techniques. CNM is committed to sourcing local ingredients in demos and teaching zero-waste cooking techniques, reflecting this growing interest in sustainable practices.

“The CNM Natural Chef course stands as a unique and essential training for chefs who aspire to redefine the role of food in health. Unlike conventional culinary programs, CNM’s approach prepares chefs not only to create visually appealing and delicious meals but also to ensure that the food genuinely nourishes, is well absorbed, and is tailored to individual needs based on age, environment, and health conditions.”

Guided by the timeless wisdom of Hippocrates, “‘Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food,’ the course emphasises food’s incredible potential to heal or harm. Many chronic diseases are linked to the consumption of processed foods, excess sugar, and overeating.”

“Students are taught the principles of nutrition and learn what foods best support health, how to combine ingredients for maximum nourishment, the healthiest fats and oils to use, and why certain cooking methods should be avoided for long-term well-being. CNM’s philosophy is that much of the modern chronic disease epidemic has its roots in the kitchen, and its curriculum empowers chefs with the knowledge to make a positive difference.”

The CNM Natural Chef course is more than culinary training; it’s a transformative journey into the powerful, health-giving potential of food.

“We take immense pride in fostering a learning environment that emphasises holistic nutrition, practical skills, and personal growth. This award reinforces our Commitment to Excellence in training and highlights the achievements of our talented instructors, who bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to the classroom, as well as the enthusiasm and dedication of our students who inspire us every day.” Hermann Keppler, Founder of CNM.

To find out more, please see the links below: http://www.naturalchef.com https://www.naturopathy-uk.com