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Embracing Culinary Bliss: We Catch Up with Mark and Alecia Swainbank of Zimbali Culinary Retreat
Nestled in the cool, hilly terrains of Canaan Mountain lies the Zimbali Culinary Retreat, a sanctuary where the beauty of nature meets the art of gastronomy.
This enchanting retreat is home to Mark and Alecia Swainbank and their adorable children, known affectionately as the Zimbali Family. Together, they have crafted a home-away-from-home ambiance, offering guests an unforgettable experience with purely organic, local, and freshly prepared meals served on their open-air terrace.
Recently, the OCEAN Style media team interviewed the Swainbanks to delve into their journey, their passion for culinary excellence, and the essence of what makes Zimbali Culinary Retreat a unique and cherished destination.
What Inspired You to Start Zimbali Retreats, and How Did Your Journey in the Hospitality Industry Begin?
The beginning of Zimbali was a desire for a simpler lifestyle. As a foreigner, I was drawn to the beauty of Jamaica and especially the people and wanted to find a way to live a simpler, sustainable life. I moved to Negril, like most foreigners, to be near the water, but when I met Alecia, that was really the beginning.
She grew up in the hills with her grandparents and knew how to live, farm, go for water, etc; this type of life was her natural state of being. She looked at me early on and said, “Mark, the best way is to live in the abundance and drive for your swim”. She was 1000% right, and so we moved to the hills. We spent the first 3 years living in a 50-year-old 12’ x 24’ shack. We had no power for the first 18 months, Kerosene lamps and candles lit our nights, and there was no water on the property.
In this community, all residents bathe in the river and go to the spring daily for water. Our concept was simple. To live sustainably, you need long-term, medium-term, and short-term crops. During those first years, I managed to clear all 7 acres, plant 2000 fruit trees and 1000 bananas, plantain and pineapple, as well as farm short crops for food. Alecia was in her element, and I was a good student.
We finally built our home, and quickly people began to visit. So many seemed to share this dream; drawn by the natural, fresh lifestyle and the simplicity of real mountain culture, it is a way of life that seems to lie innately within us all.
So, in response, we built a room and then a couple more. One day, we had a visit from a woman named Linda Lee. She spent the day and, at the end, said, “With the amount of farming you are doing, you should start a farm to table’ and from there, the cooking show was born.
It took off right away. The farm-to-table concept is a perfect way to experiencethe real Jamaica, and it just grew very quickly by itself. We have endeavored to keep up with it, but truthfully it has grown beyond us.
What Is The Core Philosophy Behind Zimbali Retreats, and How Do You Ensure It Resonates With Your Guests?
The core philosophy of Zimbali is simply "Real Culture". We consider ourselves an "Eden in the Mountains and a gateway into the real culture of Jamaica".
From here, we add a nice dash of "Comfort" and a very large dash of "Clean Clusine".
What Sets Zimbali Retreats Apart from Other Boutique Wellness Resorts in The Caribbean?
Zimbali is a place where Africa meets Jamaica. There are retreats everywhere, but ZImbali is special because we utilize the natural beauty and bounty of what Jamaica has to offer.
Zimbali is located in the hills, which are quiet, and the springs and rivers flow freely. We feature natural spring water, we planted 2000 fruit trees 17 years ago, we have planted 1000 bananas, plantains, pineapple, lemongrass, and turmeric grow wild, and cacao trees are everywhere. Our chefs know how to fuse the old-school and modern, and our cuisine is award-winning.
What Are Some of The Unique Services Or Experiences That Guests Can Look Forward to?
We feature our Rasta Tour, which is a hike into the hills with a stop at the natural spring to our Rasta Friend Fiyah's camp, where he cooks you an Italian woodfire lunch and shows you the natural life of Rastafari.
We also feature our award-winning 5-course Farm to Table cooking show.
We have 2 ways to visit Zimbali:
The Rasta Tour begins at 11 am and includes lunch. It is a hike into the Hills to our friend Fiyah’s Camp.
Along the way you will stop at Gracie's Spring for water and then into the hills for a great Ital woodfire-cooked lunch. Cost is $65/person.
Our Farm-to-Table Cooking Show begins at 5 pm. The cost is $105/person and includes:
* Welcome Drink;
* Farm Tour;
* 5-course meal w/ cooking show;
* Bottle of wine/couple.
Sustainability Is A Growing Concern In The Hospitality Industry. How Does Zimbali Retreats Incorporate Eco-Friendly and Sustainable Practices Into Its Operations?
Zimbali has been at the height of sustainability since before it was a buzzword. 18 years ago, we started Zimbali to live a natural lifestyle in a community where that is how everyone lives as just an older way of life.
We live completely from Rainwater harvesting (your skin never felt so smooth after showering here) and natural spring water to drink. We grow a very large percentage of our own food.
We use natural cleaning products and natural seasonings and work with our community to promote growth and an outlet for other farm goods as well.
Do You Have Any Special Guest Stories You Can Share?
One thing that always amazes me is the mix of people we get at Zimbali. Zimbali was built very spiritually, and I am always fascinated by the people who come to stay or dine at the same time on any given night.
In all the world and of all the places to visit, when people come together at Zimbali, it creates some of the most special moments in people's lives. The reviews for both the retreat and cooking show attest to this. We have had people make lifelong friends here and travel together all the time. We have had many, many babies made here.
Zimbali is such a niche that it attracts like-minded people by definition, making a fertile ground for friendships and love to spread.
We have had people come here as their last wish on earth. We have had relatives return later to spread ashes in the community as a sign of their love.
We always say that Zimbali is here as a place to give you what YOU need at any given time. It is a great place to make decisions, read, learn to love, write, paint, and do whatever you need.
