Mindful cooking rituals for couples to slow down and connect

A mindful cooking deck that blends sushi-making with presence, play, and real sushi craft - one slow step at a time.

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What is Mindful Maki?

Mindful Maki isn’t a sushi class – it’s a mindful cooking ritual.

A mindful cooking deck that guides you and your partner through a slow, sensory, and authentic sushi-making experience, one card at a time.

Flip a card. Follow the step. Move gently through the ritual together.

Each card offers a natural pause – a moment to breathe, notice, and reconnect.

The rhythm is slow on purpose, helping you settle, tune in, and enjoy the moment together.

It’s not about perfect sushi.

It’s about slowing down and creating a moment to remember.

A Ritual Built on Real Sushi Craft

Mindful Maki is gentle and mindful - but it’s also grounded in authentic sushi technique.

I trained in sushi making to honour the tradition behind the experience.

The pacing, the flow, and the techniques woven into the ritual are inspired by the calm, deliberate rhythm of an omakase journey – where each step is revealed with intention.

Mindful Maki draws from these foundations:

  • Authentic sushi rice technique, from rinsing to seasoning

  • Knife skills are taught slowly and safely, suitable for beginners

  • Thoughtful ingredient pairing inspired by omakase balance

  • Respectful use of core Japanese pantry elements

  • A gentle, step-by-step flow that reflects traditional sushi progression

This isn’t a fast or rushed experience.

It’s a mindful, sensory ritual supported by honest technique and a deep respect for sushi craft.

Your mindful cooking ritual, in a deck.

A tactile, beautifully paced cooking deck that guides you through the experience – one card, one moment, one slow step at a time.

Inside the deck:

  • Step-by-step mindful cooking cards

  • Sensory cues grounded in mindfulness

  • “Food for Thought” connection cards

  • QR-guided optional videos

  • A slow, intentional flow from start to finish

Coming soon – limited first run.

Join the waitlist to be the first to access it.

The Mindful Cooking Deck

Find out more

Why Couples Love It

Mindful Maki gives couples a way to slow down and feel close again - without pressure or forced conversations.

Why it works:

  • A ritual that naturally creates connection

  • Real cooking made simple, sensory, and slow

  • A shared activity that feels grounding, not overwhelming

  • Small moments that feel like “us” again

  • A way to switch off and be present together

  • It’s intimacy through doing, not forcing.

The reflections allowed us to open up and share things we normally wouldn’t
— Chris & Sharren
Even though we’re close, I realised how rare it is to slow down and actually speak from the heart.
— Kitty and Scott

How Mindful Maki works

Step 1: Begin the Ritual

Flip the first card and follow the flow - gently and without rushing.

Step 2: Cook Mindfully

Move through simple yet authentic sushi steps guided by sensory cues and slow pacing.

Step 3: Connect Naturally

“Food for Thought” cards create warm, gentle windows of connection.

Step 4: Eat Together, slowly

Finish with a shared mindful eating moment - grounding, calm, and delicious.

About the Workshop

The workshop is not a cooking class.

It’s your guided introduction to the Mindful Maki ritual.

You’ll experience the deck in action: the slow pacing, the sensory cues, the connection moments, and the authenticity of real sushi craft.

Perfect for:

  • First dates

  • Long-term couples reconnecting

  • Anyone wanting meaningful moments without heaviness

Expect grounding, presence, omakase-grade ingredients, and real technique taught with warmth.

Join a Workshop

Who It’s For

Couples who want intentional, meaningful moments.

First dates seeking something fun but meaningful.

Friends who love cooking and connection.

Mindfulness-curious people who want something accessible.

Gift givers seeking a thoughtful, experiential present.

No cooking or mindfulness experience needed.

I loved getting to know my partner and sharing our thought process
— Joy
The most enjoyable part was being present. It is not just following a recipe, but being present for the whole process.
— Domenic

Why Mindful Maki Is Different

It’s a card game, cooking class, meal kit, mindfulness workshop, omakase, recipe.

It’s a ritual that is influenced by the absolute best of each - a blend of food, presence, and connection, and thoughtful instruction designed to bring you closer together, one moment at a time.

Grounded in:

  • Psychology

  • Mindfulness-based eating

  • Real sushi-craft

  • Sensory awareness

  • Human connection

  • Slow living

…unique to Mindful Maki.

FAQ

About the Mindful Cooking Deck

  • Mindful Maki is a mindful cooking card deck that guides you and your partner through a slow, sensory sushi-making ritual — one card at a time. Each card blends a simple cooking step, a mindful cue, and a connection moment to help you slow down and enjoy the experience together.

  • It’s the best of all three — but not fully any of them.

    It’s a ritual: a guided cooking experience designed to help you cook, connect, and be present together.

  • Not at all.

    Every step is thoughtfully beginner friendly. There are also QR codes key steps, which link to calm instructional videos.

  • Yes — the flow is grounded in authentic sushi craft, including proper rice preparation, safe and simple knife guidance, and thoughtful ingredient pairing inspired by omakase-style progression.

  • From the moment you turn a card, to the moment you finish eating - this ritual goes for around 2 hours.

  • The ritual is designed with couples in mind, but it also works beautifully for friends, roommates, and parents with adult children.

  • Unlike recipes or games, the deck slows you down through the simple act of turning each card when you’re ready.

    It blends cooking, mindfulness, and connection into one gentle, sensory moment.

About Mindful Maki Workshops

  • No — it’s a guided introduction to the Mindful Maki ritual.

    You’ll experience the deck in action: the slow pacing, the sensory cues, the connection moments, and real sushi technique taught gently through the card deck, and with a facilitator.

  • Just yourself.

    All tools, ingredients, and equipment are provided on the day.

  • Yes. Everything is paced slowly, beginner-friendly, and gently demonstrated by a facilitator if you need help.

  • Workshops are designed primarily for couples, but you’re welcome to attend with a friend or someone close to you.

Ready to slow down and reconnect - one card at a time?

Join a workshop or join the waitlist for the Mindful Maki deck.

Join the Deck Waitlist
Join the Workshop