About Lu“My legacy? To teach the world the wonder of a sun salutation and a salad dressing!”
Lu’s love of food, creating tasty and balanced meals, continues to inspire her work as a party caterer and yoga teacher.
Using local ingredients home-grown by the Slane Food Circle producers, Lu’s team caters for both small and large events - from festivals and rock concerts to house parties and weddings. Lu’s restorative retreats in Ireland incorporate yoga and nutritious cooking, with particular spotlight on the use of spices and wholefoods.
Over the past decade, Lu’s frequent travels to the Indian subcontinent has deepened her love of the varied regional cooking traditions, whilst also opening a path of discovery to yoga and its 5000 year-old history.
In 2015, Lu completed a 200 hour teacher training at The Yoga Room in Dublin to delve deeper into yoga and the schools of Indian philosophy - harking back to Lu’s Bachelor of Arts degree in Theological Studies at Trinity College, Dublin. Lu is also an accredited Breath Coach with a qualification from Lucas Rockwood of YOGABODY Barcelona.
“I was a nomadic cook for some time, soaking up local cooking secrets and techniques in places that I worked; Morocco, Corsica and Scotland were particularly spectacular, offering wild, tasty ingredients. I also spent many months in India experimenting with local recipes and perfecting my curries.”
— Lu Thornely
Lu’s love of India was first ignited by her father’s vivid memories of growing up in the Bombay English community in the forties. The thrill of stories set in a bustling port city, with the tiffin wallahs transporting hot, home-cooked cargo, the rumbling trams and daily chants of worship, was always spiced with tales of her Granny Ruth’s legendary pilau rice.
Passed down through generations, this aromatic dish continues to take center stage at all Lu’s extended family occasions and its perfect combination of spices live on in the heart of her own kitchen in Slane, Ireland.
Lu’s Chaat cart pays homage to the vast array of Indian street food and is available for private celebrations, festivals and weddings with bespoke Indian-inspired menus.
What People Are Saying
“You delivered such a sumptuous feast. I can only compare it to 'Babette's Feast'. Watch this film and I defy you not to cry when you see the culinary creation the character achieves, but more importantly the effect it has on the guests she serves. Such magic is rare, but it occurred last Saturday in Huntingdon.”
— Owen & Aeveen.
“Lu Thornely’s retreat was a wonderful weekend of deep nourishment for heart, body, mind and soul.”
— Helen James
“What a triumph! What a pleasure!“
— Seamus Heaney
“Sublime & faultless.“
— James & Kirstie
“I believe the kitchen represents all that nourishes and sustains life in the home – which is why it’s so important to kick off any party with a great atmosphere at the heart of mine.”
— Lu Thornely