This Caribbean Resort Just Launched a Chakra-Pairing Menu

It's like a wine pairing but more zen.

Pairing menus are nothing new. There's wine and cheese, champagne and chocolate, and plenty of other food-booze accompaniments. But one luxury resort in the Caribbean has created a pairing you've probably never tried before. Eden Roc Cap Cana in the Dominican Republic has just launched a chakra-pairing menu at its newly renovated Wellness & Spa Centre.

Chakras—as described in Hindu texts—are energy centers in your body that correspond to particular organs and nerve bundles. Seven chakras go from the top of your head to the bottom of your spine. If one of these areas is blocked, it's believed you will experience physical or emotional symptoms.

What's more, these unseen energy points need a physical form of food to sustain them but in moderate portions. It's believed your food choices impact the quality of your physical and spiritual health and directly influence you and your astral body. With this in mind, the spa has created a food pairing menu to go with each chakra. For example, the root chakra (located as the base of the spine) is about grounding, self-esteem, security and confidence. For the first course, you’ll be served beet, carrot, radish carpaccio, pickled onion, pistachios and edamame, citrus dressing, and chia and chive with micro greens décor. Meanwhile, the sacral chakra is associated with all things emotional. You're supposed to fan this fiery spot with sweet fruits like melons and mangos. Towards this goal, the chef prepares fresh mango ceviche with orange and goji berries, ginger turmeric dressing, cocoa shavings and sesame seeds served with sweet potato crisps. Five more courses follow, all aligned to enhancing a chakra.

“You are what you eat,” says Pedro Castillo, the spa and wellness director at Eden Roc Cap Cana. “After the past year, I've decided to work with ancient medicine and alternative therapies such as Reiki, after the treatment I used after being COVID positive. After my first Reiki session, I figured out some of my chakras were blocked, and then learned that besides physical exercises, there is nothing better to bring our energy channels back to work than food.

“Mother Nature is fantastic, and every chakra is connected with a color, “ he adds. “Foods are full of the same colors as our seven chakras, so I started to co-create with our wellness artisans and F&B team this 'to activate chakras menu' with the purpose of being balanced, healthy and energy healing. Our guests will establish the connection between their body and soul through the quality of the food we are pairing in this menu.”

This is just one of the many unique services the Relais & Châteaux property offers guests. They will even curate private dinners and spa services inside a cave.

To book, visit https://www.edenroccapcana.com