Margret Hefner

Living a life abundant in experiences, projects, and learnings — impossible to define with a tidy set of labels.
Once a designer of jewelry and objects, I now prefer to communicate through food, shared experiences, and the written word. A passionate forager of ingredients, ideas, and connections—curiosity is my compass, and the natural world is my guide.I'm drawn to opportunities for connection — exploring those cultural threads that bridge us, unconventional ways of living, and the ongoing work of finding purpose, making meaning, and sharing joy in our world."

My Plates

As an itinerant chef, I tend toward plant-forward dishes inspired by local culture and ecology, often led by ingredients I’ve foraged.
I particularly enjoy “chef-in-residence” gigs—short- to medium-term stays in private homes, giving homeowners a holiday from cooking—as well as pop-ups.
Always open to opportunities

Home and petsitting

"Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness."
— Mark Twain

Because I believe strongly in the value of travel, I like to enable others to experience the world by looking after things at home while they're away. I care for pets, keep an eye on the house, and handle the little things that need doing.While I work on completing my manuscript for the novel, Uszka, housesitting gives me the kind of focus I need, and the animals get genuine company, not just a quick check-in. Some clients have become friends, and you'll see a few of their reviews below.I'm particularly interested in longer stays and arrangements that allow me to settle into a place for a while.

Rates are reasonable and tailored to each situation.

Mexico - Frutas y Verduras Project

From 2009 through 2019, I lived and traveled extensively in Mexico, learning about regional produce and its significance to culture and the well-being of communities.
In 2016, I published Frutas y Verduras - A Fresh Food Lover's Guide to Mexico a richly visual guide in English exploring regional produce.

Learn more and get the eBook at frutasyverdurasmex.com

This eventually led to collaborations with chefs in several cities. We presented market tours and cooking classes to foreign residents encouraging them to incorporate unfamiliar local produce into their own cooking.During the pandemic I produced online cooking classes and Q&As with chefs such as Margarita Carrillo Arronte, Alam Mendez Florian and Ruth Alegria, and an online bookclub with Alysha Galvéz, author of Eating NAFTA: Trade, Food Policies and the Destruction of Mexico.

🎧 Listen to my conversations with chefs, food activists and professionals in Mexico on the limited run podcast: Mighty Zapote

Life has its twists and turns, as we all know. Walking the Camino de Santiago is one way I've found I can get the space I need to reset and move forward with greater clarity, and of course, I'm not alone!Creativity is a concept that I know not everyone feels they have a handle on in their own lives. But research is showing that cultivating creativity in one's daily life can contribute to a greater sense of overall well-being.

My theory: it's worth taking small steps to wake it up, and the Camino — many, many small steps — is the ideal opportunity to awaken any shred of creativity in you that may lie dormant.In the interest of doing my small part to contribute to a happier world, I created The Camino Creativity Pathway,a series of 10 short audio prompts aimed at awakening a creative mind along the Way.I invite those who are planning to walk a Camino to use that time and spaciousness to explore what creativity can look like in their own life. 💛

Contact

If something inspires you here and you have thoughts you want to share, I'm interested!

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