The Sweet Escape: Le Dolci's Fall Cake Retreat! 🎂🧘🏻‍♀️🍂

SECURE YOUR SPACE TODAY - this fee is for the Cake Retreat DEPOSIT 

Connect, Bake, & Retreat

October 24–26, 2025 | Green Nest Lodge, Buckhorn, Ontario

Step into a weekend of wonder, where the scent of vanilla drifts through the air, sunlight dances on turquoise waters, and creativity blooms like wildflowers in the woods. Welcome to Cake Retreat—a gentle, joy-filled gathering designed for kindred spirits who long to bake, breathe, and belong.

Tucked away on the peaceful shores of Sandy Lake, this intimate retreat offers the perfect balance of cake indulgence and intention. Mornings begin with soft stretches and lakeside yoga, followed by hands-on cake workshops where you’ll whisk, layer, and pipe your way to edible works of art. Afternoons invite quiet nature walks, meaningful conversation, and buttercream tinted with wild-foraged hues.

Evenings glow with shared meals, candlelight, and starlit circles by the fire.

Led by a team of heartfelt hosts—chefs, healers, and creatives—this is a space where you’ll feel instantly at home. A place to slow down, savour the moment, and reconnect with the sweetness of your craft and your self.

Come solo or with someone you love. Bring a favourite book, your comfiest cardigan, and an open heart—we’ll take care of the rest.

Location: Green Nest Lodge Situated on the picturesque Sandy Lake in Buckhorn, Ontario (2.5 hours from Toronto).

Green Nest Lodge & Retreat is located in Buckhorn, Ontario. The property sits on the spring-fed, turquoise coloured lake with a sandy bottom. Also known as the "Lake of Spirits", the lake has been worshipped by the Indigenous People of this area for thousands of years. 

Join us at this tranquil lake‑view setting, surrounded by whispering pines and open skies. Yoga mats and cocktails will be waiting for you on the dock.

ABOUT YOUR HOSTS 

Meet Chef Imke –Pastry Chef & Retreat Host 
With a background in fine dining and a Le Cordon Bleu culinary education, Imke brings both technical precision and soulful creativity to the kitchen. Having spent years as a head chef and culinary instructor, she has a deep passion for teaching and making the art of pastry approachable and joyful.

At the Cake Retreat, Imke will guide you through hands-on workshops, share her signature techniques, and create a welcoming space where learning feels inspiring, nourishing, and delicious. Whether you're a seasoned baker or just beginning your journey, Imke’s calm presence and thoughtful approach will help you connect with your craft—and your community—in a whole new way.

Meet Sonja Seiler, Private Chef & Retreat Host 
Sonja Seiler of Nurture Retreats is a private retreat chef and food storyteller who loves to use food to facilitate real connection. Her bespoke menu design whimsically reflects the story of the retreat, while nourishing guests to more deeply inspire and energize the intentional work or play they are diving into. Custom menus feature local, seasonal produce, slow food principles and cater to all food sensitivities and strong dislikes. Each meal is presented with live narration of the meaning behind the story of each dish and how it represents the values and aesthetics of the retreat offering.

Meet Chef Vanessa – Pastry Chef & Retreat Host
Chef Vanessa, she is our Head Chef expert at Le Dolci who specializes in breads, doughs and French pastries. Born and raised in the vibrant city of Dubai, she infuses her culinary creations with the rich flavours of her hometown. When she's not in the kitchen, Vanessa enjoys swimming and snorkelling, finding inspiration in the serene beauty of the beaches she loves so much.

Meet Alexandra Pacheco  – Yoga Instructor & Retreat Host
As the founder of Zonte Yoga and Nourish Retreats, Alexandra Pacheco has been building community through yoga for over 14 years. Her teaching blends strength, mindfulness, and fluidity, creating space for all levels to feel welcome and supported. While her classes are grounded in clear, thoughtful guidance, she brings a light-hearted, open approach that invites exploration. Yoga has been a lifeline in her own journey, and her mission is simple: to bring people together, one breath at a time.

What’s Included

A Warm Welcome
Begin your weekend with a charming welcome reception featuring light refreshments and delightful sips. Meet your hosts, Chef Imke and Chef Vanessa of Le Dolci Culinary School, as you settle into the serene surroundings and ease into a weekend of culinary magic.

A Weekend of Cake Enchantment
Over two delicious days, you’ll immerse yourself in three hands-on baking and decorating workshops that will inspire your creativity and satisfy your sweet tooth.

• Cake Baking Workshop
   On Day One, roll up your sleeves and bake exquisite layers from scratch—these will be the canvas for your edible masterpiece.
  

• Buttercream Workshop
  Create your own natural buttercream palette using dyes from foraged flowers, herbs, and woodland flora. A sensory and artistic delight.
  

• Cake Decorating Workshop
   Learn both foundational and advanced techniques—including the nostalgic elegance of Lambeth piping—as you bring your cake to life, ready for its grand tea party debut. You will bake a two tiered cake, and take it home. 
  

• The Grand Finale: A High-Tea Cake Picnic
  Celebrate your creations with an elegant tea party. Sip fragrant teas, nibble on sweet treats, and admire everyone’s beautifully decorated cakes against a backdrop of music, nature, and new friendships.

Daily Yoga & Guided Meditation
Begin each day with gentle movement and mindful meditation to ground and centre yourself. Alexandra also loves the art of Salsa so may get us to dance a little too. 

Scenic Nature Walks
Wander through nearby woods and trails, soaking in the beauty of the landscape and letting your senses come alive.

Sunset Circle Sessions
Gather at dusk for heartfelt connection, reflection, and storytelling under the stars.

Cosy, Thoughtful Accommodations
Nestle into charming and comfortable lodgings designed to soothe and inspire.

Nourishing Meals & Snacks
All meals, non-alcoholic botanical cocktails, and snacks are lovingly prepared by private chef Sonja Seiler of Nurture and Retreats. Her seasonal, soul-warming cuisine delights every palate and accommodates all dietary needs with care and grace.

A Beautiful, Safe Space to Dream
This is your haven—to create, to connect, to rest, and to play. Surrounded by nature and good company, you’ll find the inspiration and peace you’ve been craving.

Free On-Site Parking. Arrive and unwind with ease. 

The Weekend’s Flow

Friday • Oct 24

• Arrivals → Join us anytime after 1pm. 

• You will be welcomed by your hosts Imke, Vanessa and Sonia.
  They will give you a tour and then we encourage guests to explore the property, have a hot tub soak, nap, read a book on the dock or mingle with other guests.  

• Dinner -served at 7pm -guests who arrive after this time will still be served a delicious meal 

• Welcome circle and intention setting*

• Yin Yoga session with Alexandra*

• Moonlight walk and stargazing* 

• Free time

Saturday • Oct 25

• Morning Yoga* 

• Forest & Foraging Walk*

• Breakfast and Coffee 

• Workshop 1: Cake Baking Workshop, you will bake your layers for decorating tomorrow. 

• Light lunch 

• Workshop 2: Cake Fillings & buttercreams

• Evening: Special dinner prepared by Sonja

• Circle meditation*

• Moonlight walk and stargazing* 

• Free time

Sunday • Oct 26

• Forest Bathing*

• Morning Yoga and Meditation* 

• Stacking, filling, masking and decorating your Cake

• High‑Tea Cake Picnic -an elegant Tea Party and Cake Picnic where all guests will display their cakes and enjoy cake, tea and music to celebrate the end of a wonderful retreat.   

• Farewells -1-2pm, departures are always so sad but we will hold these memories close in our heart. 

*indicates optional

This is for guests who:

✔︎ Find joy and peace in baking

✔︎ Are ready to deepen their cake‑decorating skills

✔︎ Crave time to unwind, create & connect

✔︎ Love good food, gorgeous settings & meaningful experiences

We are keeping this retreat intimate with only 20 guest spots so bring a friend, a good book, your favourite tea party outfit and we will see you at Green Nest Lodge this October. 

xoChef Imke

🎟️ Spots are limited