Rosie Mitchell’s love for food began in her Armenian household, where her grandmothers taught her the art of blending Armenian, Mediterranean, Middle Eastern, and Russian flavors. Her mother was and continues to be one of the greatest influences in her life, an incredible cook and talented pastry chef whose discipline, passion, and unwavering work ethic shaped Mitchell’s own drive and standards in the kitchen. By 16, she was already training in professional kitchens, later graduating from Le Cordon Bleu in Pasadena.
With more than 25 years of experience, Mitchell has worked alongside legendary chefs such as Wolfgang Puck and Joachim Splichal, leading culinary teams for prestigious events including the Oscars, Emmys and the Grammys. Since 2016, Mitchell has brought her passion and creativity to Calamigos Ranch in Malibu, where she serves as culinary director. Her menus celebrate California’s seasonal bounty while honoring her cultural heritage, creating refined, soulful, and unforgettable dining experiences for weddings, events, and resort guests alike. In 2025, chef Mitchell spearheaded a luxury plant-based culinary experience for Renew Retreat, featuring elevated, seasonal, and intentionally sourced ingredients with health benefits. Here, she shares how food and finding work-life balance have shaped her own wellness journey.
What does wellness mean to you?
Wellness, to me, means self-care and self-love. It’s about respecting your body, understanding what it needs, and taking the time to give it that. It’s not about extremes or perfection, but about balance in everything you do.
How you eat, how you work, how you rest, how you show up for yourself and for others it all matters. Wellness is being in tune with yourself and making choices that support your health, your energy, and your overall well-being.
What is your favorite healthy food, and do you have a favorite way of preparing it?
The key for me is keeping it simple: garlic, salt, pepper, and fresh herbs. When vegetables are cooked correctly, they don’t need much else. Grilling and roasting are my two favorite methods, but especially grilling. It brings out a natural depth and adds that subtle char that really elevates the flavor.
At that point, it’s about letting the ingredients speak for themselves, balanced and full of flavor without overcomplicating it.
What is your favorite healthy beverage (alcoholic or non-alcoholic), and do you have any insider tips for preparing it?
For an alcoholic beverage, I always gravitate toward a spritz. It’s something I enjoy wherever I go. It’s light, refreshing, and lower in calories, so you can enjoy it without it feeling heavy. At Calamigos Ranch Club, one of my favorites is the Hugo Spritz. It’s incredibly refreshing, made with St-Germain, fresh peaches, Prosecco, a touch of sparkling water, and fresh mint. My insider tip is to keep it well balanced and not overly sweet. Use fresh ingredients, make sure everything is well chilled, and don’t overdo the liqueur. The mint adds a bright, aromatic finish that really elevates the drink
What is your greatest wellness achievement?
My greatest wellness achievement has been completely changing my lifestyle and committing to my health. A few years ago, I was 250 pounds, dealing with diabetes, and heading down a path I knew wasn’t sustainable. I made the decision to take control of my health not just for myself, but for my future and my family. Since then, I’ve lost 100 pounds and completely shifted the way I live, eat, and take care of my body. It wasn’t easy, especially in this industry, but it was necessary. What I’m most proud of isn’t just the weight loss, it’s the discipline, the consistency, and the mindset shift.
What is your idea of balanced healthy happiness?
For most of my career, work came first. Long hours, constant pressure, always chasing the next service, the next event, the next standard. That’s the nature of what we do. And the truth is, real work-life balance in hospitality is one of the hardest things to actually achieve. Everything shifted after having my daughter. The best decision I’ve made is choosing to be present, to make the time, no matter how busy things get, to watch her grow up and not be absent from those moments you don’t get back. The work will always be there. The next service will come. But time with family doesn’t wait.
To me, balanced happiness now means:
- Showing up fully at work but not letting it take everything
- Being disciplined enough to step away when it matters most
- Understanding that success isn’t just what you build professionally, but what you build at home
What is your favorite place for a healthy vacation or escape?
One of my favorite places to truly reset is Post Ranch Inn. I love that it’s close enough to get to without a big trip, but the moment I’m there, it feels like I’ve completely stepped away from everything. There’s something about being up on those cliffs, overlooking the ocean, that just slows everything down for me. With how busy and fast-paced life can be, especially in this industry, it gives me a chance to breathe, clear my head, and just be present. It’s not about doing a lot, it’s about the quiet mornings, the fresh air, and feeling reconnected again. It’s one of the few places where I can truly shut off, recharge, and come back feeling like myself.
What is your go-to for de-stressing?
My favorite self-care routine is starting my day with time for myself. As many days a week as I can, I dedicate about 30 minutes in the morning to meditation. Beginning my day grounded and recharged is really important to me. With how stressful work can be, that time helps keep me centered and balanced.
I also make it a priority to do Pilates twice a week. It keeps my body strong and supported, especially with the long hours on my feet. This industry can be physically demanding, so making time to take care of my body isn’t optional, it’s necessary. It’s really about creating small, consistent habits that keep me feeling balanced, both mentally and physically.
What brings you joy?
What brings me joy is coming home to my beautiful family—my husband and my daughter. I’ve spent a lot of my life building my career, and I started later than most. So, there’s a real sense of pride and fulfillment in where I am today. My position and everything I’ve accomplished bring me a lot of joy because I know what it took to get here. But it’s a different level of joy when I walk through the door and see my daughter’s excitement to see me. Nothing compares to that.
