Today we’d like to introduce you to Jennifer ‘Suki’ Otsuki
Hi Jennifer, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I was formerly a Chef in the Dallas restaurant industry, stepping into the kitchen straight out of high school by way of culinary school. I spent 17 years immersed in the world of food, acquiring both invaluable experience and the battle scars that inevitably come with the high-pressure, high-stakes environment of the industry.
When March of 2020 arrived, like so many others, I found myself forced to pivot in all directions as an “essential” employee. The chaos of that time ultimately led me to a solo women’s retreat—what I thought was just a much-needed escape turned into a pivotal moment of clarity. I left not only with a renewed sense of purpose but also with a game plan and a job opportunity that set me on a new trajectory.
For the past five years, I have transitioned into a lifestyle and wellness role, hosting retreats that integrate nourishment, healing, and conscious living. My journey has been one of reinvention—moving from the intensity of restaurant kitchens to a space where I can truly nourish others, not just through food, but through fellowship, mindfulness, and holistic well-being
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It has been anything but a smooth road. The path has been winding and, at times, razor-thin beneath my feet. The restaurant industry shaped me in ways I’m both grateful for and have had to recover from—grueling hours, relentless pressure, and an ingrained culture of burnout and abuse that left its mark. When I stepped away, it wasn’t just from a career but from an entire way of being that I had to unlearn.
Loss has been a profound teacher along this journey. I have mourned not only the closing of restaurants and passion projects that held pieces of my heart but also the devastating loss of my best friend and life partner, Andrew. Grief has a way of reordering everything you thought you knew, forcing you to decide—do you let it break you, or do you let it forge you into something new?
Through it all, I’ve learned that moving forward isn’t passive—it’s an intentional act. Healing, reinvention, and stepping into a new life required me to get really serious about the journey ahead. Every challenge has been an invitation to step deeper into alignment with my purpose, to create a life where nourishment—of self and others—takes precedence. The road hasn’t been easy, but every step forward is a commitment to the future I am building.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
My work is rooted in nourishment—of the body, mind, and spirit. As an Intuitive and Somatic Healer, Mindfulness Chef, and Retreat Host, I create spaces where food becomes medicine, movement becomes healing, and presence becomes the foundation for transformation. I specialize in crafting immersive experiences that blend culinary wellness, somatic healing, and conscious living, allowing people to reconnect with themselves in a deeply nourishing way.
I’m best known for my ability to bring intention into every aspect of nourishment—not just through food, but through the way we care for ourselves and others. My background as a chef in the restaurant industry gave me the technical skills, but my own journey of healing has given me the wisdom to integrate food with mindfulness, embodiment, and radical self-love.
What I’m most proud of is the ability to hold space for others on their own journeys. Whether it’s through a retreat, a meal, or a conversation, I guide people toward finding what truly nourishes them. Seeing someone shift—whether it’s through the comfort of a thoughtfully prepared dish or the breakthroughs that happen in retreat spaces—is what fuels my passion.
What sets me apart is my lived experience. I’ve walked the path of burnout, loss, and reinvention, and I bring that depth into my work. I understand what it means to be depleted and what it takes to truly heal. My work is not just about providing meals or hosting retreats—it’s about guiding people toward a sustainable, soul-aligned way of living.
What does success mean to you?
I have had to redefine success many times throughout the years. As a young, up-and-coming chef in a historically underpaid and overworked industry, success was once measured by titles, kitchen hierarchy, and the rare privilege of a Sunday off. It was about endurance, proving myself, and pushing forward at all costs.
Now, my definition of success has shifted entirely. I see success through the lens of growth, expansion, and alignment. It’s about the ability to step into new experiences, to nourish myself as deeply as I nourish others, and to create a life that reflects my values. Success is no longer about how much I can take on but about how much I can truly be present for. It’s found in the quiet moments of connection, in the freedom to choose a path that honors my well-being, and in the ability to hold space for others as they embark on their own journeys.
Ultimately, success to me is a life lived in integrity—with myself, my purpose, and those I live in service of.
Contact Info:
- Website: http://fourdimensionswellness.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fourdimensionswellness/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FourDimensionsRetreats
- LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/jennifer-suki-otsuki
Image Credits
Raynor Bearden
Nicole DiDaniele
Megan Fine
