Meet the Amanzi Team info@myAmanzi.com
What is Amanzi?
Amanzi is an African word meaning water, the most basic sustenance on earth. Amanzi strives to create programs which in turn create experiences that nurture the individual, providing the water that feeds your soul .. we know for each person its a little different. We have assembled an incredible Amanzi team to take care of you. Each individual brings an incredible personal energy to each trip and passion about their craft.
Megan Rainnie Trip Co-ordinator and Chef Instructor Tuscany & Cape Town
Megan has lived, worked, and travelled extensively in Europe, South Africa and in the USA in the past 20 years. She has been creating and leading trips to Italy, France, Spain and the US for the past 8 years - catering exclusively to small groups and providing the highest of customer care.
While growing up in Cape Town, South Africa, Megan discovered her love for the outdoors through her Dad's love of hiking and nature, and her love of the kitchen through her Mom - a culinary instructor in her own right. After working two seasons in the French Alps as a chef (with plenty of skiing of course!), she came to the USA. She worked as a management consultant in the technology sector for almost seven years, followed by a four year long stint as marketing director of a culinary school. In 2005/2006 she attended culinary school and decided to pursue her own endeavors.
Megan founded Gourmet Girl - on the Go, followed by Amanzi in 2009. Gourmet Girl - on the Go focusses on event planning, cooking classes and providing personal chef services. She teaches privately for small groups and also created a corporate teambuilding program, utilizing the lessons learnt in preparing a meal together.
Her love of travel, the outdoors, yoga, friends and food keep her on the move. The creation of Amanzi is a reflection of her enthusiasm for hospitality, travel, and general wellness and she looks forward to creating incredible experiences to share with a those who seek an extraordinary kind of experience.
Jon Dorse Yoga Instructor Tuscany
Jon has spent the past twenty years inquiring into the values that shape our personal experiences. Born and raised in southern California, he attended UCLA studying both Economics and Molecular Biology. A life-long interest in wellness eventually brought him to embrace the methods of yoga, for increased physical health and mental clarity. His doctor often shared the following mantra - "Health is Wealth", and this has never seemed more true.
After his first yoga class, nearly 15 years ago, and the extraordinary feeling of relaxation that followed, he knew he had been initiated into a great tradition.
Jon's approach to leading classes is fun, safe and inspiring. He views his role as teacher, sometime coach, but mostly friend. His own daily practice is a source for transformation and he continually seeks to further his understanding through additional training and study. When not leading classes or retreats, Jon enjoys reading philosophy, mythology and science-fiction.
During 2005 Jon had the pleasure of spending fall living in Florence, Italy, taking in as much art, architecture and local cuisine as possible. He is very excited to be returning to Tuscany for this trip.
Niki Smart Yoga Instructor Tuscany
Niki has been practicing yoga for over 15 years and teaching for almost three years. Depending on her students, Niki utilizes a combination of Vinyasa Flow, Hatha yoga, Yin yoga, Restorative yoga and Kundalini yoga styles. Her teaching is always focused on creating a practice and environment where each person can find their own path to self awareness and inner calm.
Niki has worked extensively with troubled teenagers where her class focuses on breathing, relaxation and mindfulness, in an effort to enable the teens to find their inner focus, balance and strength. For teens that are diagnosed with ADHD, Niki offsets their difficulty in concentrating, by keeping the movement flowing and teaches a fairly energetic Vinyasa Flow, followed again by deep relaxation.
She also teaches at a healthy living facility, where the class is mainly restorative and focuses on poses for healing, detoxing the body, strengthening the core and boosting self confidence. With her older students, Niki incoporates techniques to benefit carpel tunnel, sciatica, bad back and neck issues.
Niki looks forward to introducing our guests to her wonderfully calm and meditative yoga style with a focus on a different yoga style in each of her classes.
Joshua Brogdon Resident Chef Tuscany
Josh is passionate about cooking, which started at a young age while helping his grandma prepare holiday meals. His culinary experience includes opening Italian restaurants and as one of the opening team members for Lucca Café in California, Joshua refined his authentic Mediterranean and Italian culinary skills. He learned the art of making authentic Bolognese and marinara, slow roasting a leg of lamb to perfection and making the perfect creamy risotto.0
Josh started his pursuit of culinary perfection by graduating from The Art Institute’s Culinary School as a member of the Honor Society on the Dean’s List. His culinary career began at the Disneyland Resort’s table service restaurants after which he went on to work under Chef Paul Squicciarini as assistant catering chef of Bacchus Inspired Cuisine, where he helped lead cooking classes and demonstrations.
Most recently he was Executive chef at The Red Rock Ranch, a guest ranch in beautiful Wyoming on the outskirts of the famous town of Jackson Hole. At the resort Josh was catering for up to 50 guests a day. Joshua loves to share his passion, teaching guests about barbequing techniques and how to make the perfect marinara sauce.
Josh is excited to be working in our incredible Tuscan farmhouse kitchen, utilizing the fresh produce of the farmhouse organic garden and bringing our guests closer to the land from which our food comes.
Amanzi is an African word meaning water, the most basic sustenance on earth. Amanzi strives to create programs which in turn create experiences that nurture the individual, providing the water that feeds your soul .. we know for each person its a little different. We have assembled an incredible Amanzi team to take care of you. Each individual brings an incredible personal energy to each trip and passion about their craft.
Megan Rainnie Trip Co-ordinator and Chef Instructor Tuscany & Cape TownMegan has lived, worked, and travelled extensively in Europe, South Africa and in the USA in the past 20 years. She has been creating and leading trips to Italy, France, Spain and the US for the past 8 years - catering exclusively to small groups and providing the highest of customer care.
While growing up in Cape Town, South Africa, Megan discovered her love for the outdoors through her Dad's love of hiking and nature, and her love of the kitchen through her Mom - a culinary instructor in her own right. After working two seasons in the French Alps as a chef (with plenty of skiing of course!), she came to the USA. She worked as a management consultant in the technology sector for almost seven years, followed by a four year long stint as marketing director of a culinary school. In 2005/2006 she attended culinary school and decided to pursue her own endeavors.
Megan founded Gourmet Girl - on the Go, followed by Amanzi in 2009. Gourmet Girl - on the Go focusses on event planning, cooking classes and providing personal chef services. She teaches privately for small groups and also created a corporate teambuilding program, utilizing the lessons learnt in preparing a meal together.
Her love of travel, the outdoors, yoga, friends and food keep her on the move. The creation of Amanzi is a reflection of her enthusiasm for hospitality, travel, and general wellness and she looks forward to creating incredible experiences to share with a those who seek an extraordinary kind of experience.
Jon Dorse Yoga Instructor Tuscany Jon has spent the past twenty years inquiring into the values that shape our personal experiences. Born and raised in southern California, he attended UCLA studying both Economics and Molecular Biology. A life-long interest in wellness eventually brought him to embrace the methods of yoga, for increased physical health and mental clarity. His doctor often shared the following mantra - "Health is Wealth", and this has never seemed more true.
After his first yoga class, nearly 15 years ago, and the extraordinary feeling of relaxation that followed, he knew he had been initiated into a great tradition.
Jon's approach to leading classes is fun, safe and inspiring. He views his role as teacher, sometime coach, but mostly friend. His own daily practice is a source for transformation and he continually seeks to further his understanding through additional training and study. When not leading classes or retreats, Jon enjoys reading philosophy, mythology and science-fiction.
During 2005 Jon had the pleasure of spending fall living in Florence, Italy, taking in as much art, architecture and local cuisine as possible. He is very excited to be returning to Tuscany for this trip.
Niki Smart Yoga Instructor Tuscany Niki has been practicing yoga for over 15 years and teaching for almost three years. Depending on her students, Niki utilizes a combination of Vinyasa Flow, Hatha yoga, Yin yoga, Restorative yoga and Kundalini yoga styles. Her teaching is always focused on creating a practice and environment where each person can find their own path to self awareness and inner calm.
Niki has worked extensively with troubled teenagers where her class focuses on breathing, relaxation and mindfulness, in an effort to enable the teens to find their inner focus, balance and strength. For teens that are diagnosed with ADHD, Niki offsets their difficulty in concentrating, by keeping the movement flowing and teaches a fairly energetic Vinyasa Flow, followed again by deep relaxation.
She also teaches at a healthy living facility, where the class is mainly restorative and focuses on poses for healing, detoxing the body, strengthening the core and boosting self confidence. With her older students, Niki incoporates techniques to benefit carpel tunnel, sciatica, bad back and neck issues.
Niki looks forward to introducing our guests to her wonderfully calm and meditative yoga style with a focus on a different yoga style in each of her classes.
Joshua Brogdon Resident Chef TuscanyJosh is passionate about cooking, which started at a young age while helping his grandma prepare holiday meals. His culinary experience includes opening Italian restaurants and as one of the opening team members for Lucca Café in California, Joshua refined his authentic Mediterranean and Italian culinary skills. He learned the art of making authentic Bolognese and marinara, slow roasting a leg of lamb to perfection and making the perfect creamy risotto.0
Josh started his pursuit of culinary perfection by graduating from The Art Institute’s Culinary School as a member of the Honor Society on the Dean’s List. His culinary career began at the Disneyland Resort’s table service restaurants after which he went on to work under Chef Paul Squicciarini as assistant catering chef of Bacchus Inspired Cuisine, where he helped lead cooking classes and demonstrations.
Most recently he was Executive chef at The Red Rock Ranch, a guest ranch in beautiful Wyoming on the outskirts of the famous town of Jackson Hole. At the resort Josh was catering for up to 50 guests a day. Joshua loves to share his passion, teaching guests about barbequing techniques and how to make the perfect marinara sauce.
Josh is excited to be working in our incredible Tuscan farmhouse kitchen, utilizing the fresh produce of the farmhouse organic garden and bringing our guests closer to the land from which our food comes.
Mette Hingel Travel Partner
Mette Hingel at Luxe Travel group is our partner in making your extended travel plans to Europe. She has been working in the travel industry for the last 16 years and specializes in customized Vacations around the world.
If you are extending your trip and need Air, Train, Car, Hotels, Tours, Cruises or advice, please contact Mette Hingel at 949-336-1000 ext. 1602 or email at Mette@luxetg.com
For more info email us at info@MyAmanzi.com
Content copyright . Amanzi LLC. All rights reserved.
Content copyright . Amanzi LLC. All rights reserved.
