I’ve spent over 35 years in the hospitality industry as both a chef and a teacher, dedicating my life to the joy of cooking and the art of service. But it wasn’t until I faced my own battle with an autoimmune disease and Lyme disease that I truly discovered the power of healing. Through deep struggle came transformation. My journey has taught me that food is more than nourishment; it’s medicine, connection, and a pathway to wellness. Now, I combine decades of culinary expertise with hard-earned healing wisdom to help others reclaim their health—one nourishing bite at a time.
A CHEF’S JOURNEY TO HEALING
About Courtney
Courtney Contos—celebrated chef, and distinguished health coach.
With over 30 years of culinary expertise, my journey began in the heart of downtown Chicago under the guidance of my father, Bill Contos, acclaimed restaurateur and owner of Chez Paul—the ultra-elegant French restaurant made famous in Ferris Bueller’s Day Off and The Blues Brothers. It was there that my lifelong love of food and appreciation for quality was born.
I went on to train in professional kitchens, including Martha Stewart’s test kitchen, and earned my degree in culinary arts from Kendall College in Chicago.
In 2013, I opened the beloved Chef Contos Kitchen & Store in Shelburne, Vermont—a boutique cooking school and chef-curated retail space. Within a year, Food & Wine Magazine named it one of the Best Cooking Schools in the World. Over eight years, I taught more than 800 unique cooking classes, never repeating a single one, and built a vibrant community around real food, creativity, and joy.
As a Functional Medicine Certified Health Coach, GAPS Certified Coach, and Journey of Intrinsic Health Coach with Dr. Zach Bush, I now help others transform their health at the root level. My approach combines culinary mastery, lived healing experience, and deep empathy. I’ve reversed rheumatoid arthritis, managed Lyme disease, and witnessed the power of the body to heal through aligned, personalized care.
Amidst my successes, I struggled and still suffer with chronic pain due to a diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis/lyme disease. My rheumatologist declared on numerous occasions that my condition would never change and that I would be wheelchair-bound for the rest of my life. Unwilling to accept this fate, I persevered to find a solution, and everyday I commit to pushing forward with healthy decisions and scratch cooking.
Having been so positively impacted by my healing journey - I merged my rich experience as a culinary leader and educator with my health journey and became a Wellness Coach.
My heart is in the nourished kitchen! I empowering home cooks like you to elevate your culinary skills and build enthusiasm by using quality kitchen tools. I believe that having the right tools can make a significant difference in your cooking experience, allowing you to unleash your creativity and confidence in the kitchen.
