Food That Nourishes Us Residency — February 22 - March 1
An intensive one-week residency for curious digital nomads, entrepreneurs, and remote workers to explore how food shapes our bodies, places, and communities.
For who?
It’s a good fit if you:
- live and work globally, but want to engage locally
- are curious about food systems, not just food trends
- are comfortable learning through experience, conversation, and reflection
- want to build relationships with people and places, rather than just passing through
Program Highlights
A one-week intensive structured across four themes
Nourishment of the Senses
Gain awareness through the art of tea
We begin by training attention through sensory practice. Participants sharpen awareness across sight, smell, taste, and texture while developing a more nuanced flavor palate and language to describe perception. Tea becomes the primary medium for learning presence, facilitation, and shared ritual.
Key experiences
- Daily themed tea ceremonies led by an experienced practitioner
- Introduction to flavor extraction through natural ice cream making
- Meditation sessions focused on physical alignment and attention
- Guided visit to a tea farm
- Participant-facilitated tea ceremonies
Nourishment of the Body
Understand how food shapes the body
We examine how food directly affects energy, digestion, and regulation. Participants build literacy around fasting, stress, recovery, and restraint, while learning to critically assess functional foods and supplements. The focus is on recognizing personal patterns in eating and stimulation.
Key experiences
- Guided fasting and body physiology workshops
- Introduction to functional mushrooms
- Ice bath and sauna practices
- Community dinners with facilitated reflection
Nourishment of the Place
Trace food back to the land it comes from
We shift outward to explore how ecosystems, climate, and supply chains shape food. Participants engage directly with local producers and practitioners, learning to assess food quality through context rather than branding.
Key experiences
- Thai herbal medicine and cooking sessions
- Coffee workshop on regional and global supply chains
- Visits to local kitchens and producers
- Slow Food dinner focused on sourcing and seasonality
- Engagement with Chiang Mai’s food systems
Nourishment of the Community
Put nourishment into circulation
The final module focuses on contribution. Participants apply what they’ve learned by hosting, facilitating, and designing shared food experiences that connect nomads with the local community.
Key experiences
- Facilitating tea ceremonies for the wider community
- Co-creating and hosting a shared public meal
- Discussions on responsible nomadism and local engagement
- Collective reflection on long-term community impact
What makes this program unique?
Rooted locally, connected globally
The residency is run by Alt_Coliving, a long-term co-working and co-living community in Chiang Mai with two locations and a strong track record in intentional community building.
Alt is a founding partner of the Nomad Friendly District Initiative, a collaboration between the Chiang Mai municipality and the private sector focused on building meaningful connections between global nomads and local communities.
Led by experienced practitioners
The program is facilitated by practitioners who bring international expertise into local contexts.
It is designed and led by a group of global talent, including:
- an ex-NASA engineer turned tea master, working at the intersection of tradition, science, and sensory education
- the founder of Alt, with decades of experience in global nomad networks and deep roots in Chiang Mai
- an experience designer focused on educational and community-building activities that bridges global and local perspectives through meaningful programs
Designed with intention
The residency is carefully designed to balance:
- intellectual depth
- hands-on, experiential learning
- productivity-compatible rhythms
- bodily awareness and well-being
- and genuine community building
This is not a wellness retreat; instead, we are engaging more deliberately with the place you are visiting, and forces that are nourishing it.
Experiences you can’t replicate elsewhere
The program includes workshops, field visits, and shared experiences that are:
- specific to Chiang Mai and its surrounding regions
- built on real relationships with local producers, cooks, and practitioners
- designed exclusively for this residency
Not the classical Chiang Mai TripAdvisor activities, we are going deeper.
Would you like to learn more? Reach out to us on Whatsapp: +66 971831737
PROGRAM SNAPSHOT
Dates
February 22 - March 1
Location
Alt_PingRiver, Chiang Mai
Capacity
12 participants, invitation-first
Starting Package
~US$500 (excl. 7% VAT)
Part of Something Bigger: Cosmo Local CNX
This residency is more than a week long experience. It’s part of Cosmo Local CNX, a year long initiative connecting global innovators with Chiang Mai’s local changemakers.
What is Cosmo Local CNX?
A movement bridging the “cosmos” (international networks) and the “local” (Chiang Mai communities) through collaborative residencies, workshops, and gatherings. Our vision: cultivate new ways of living, learning, and building together while strengthening culture, creativity, and regenerative practice.
The Popup Village
The Food Track
The Space — Alt_PingRiver Work, Live, and Connect
Your Home Base: Alt_PingRiver
Coworking Space
Work with high-speed internet, ergonomic chairs, private booths, and complimentary water, coffee, and tea. Access quiet zones for deep focus, or head outdoors when you need fresh ideas.
Common Area and Kitchen
Residency Packages
Additional Info:
- Extra person program fee: $300 USD
- Everything at Alt_PingRiver (30% accommodation discount applied)
- Breakfast is included
Who You'll Learn From
Program Lead
John Ho (Alt_Coliving)
Building communities where nomads and locals collaborate, drawing on deep Chiang Mai roots and global coliving networks.
Program Facilitators
Charles
Ex-NASA engineer turned tea master, guiding mindful tea ceremonies and tasting practices that connect nature, ritual and community.
Samanta
Long-term nomad and educational experience designer who has worked across three continents, with academic and program design experience connected to Stanford University and Minerva University
Adam
Mycology expert exploring mushrooms, fermentation, and the science of symbiosis through Potent Fungi.
Jason
Chef James
Creator of Blue Zone cooking experiences, drawing on longevity traditions and the Japanese concept of Ikigai.
Teddy
Traditional Thai Medicine Practicioner applicating Thai Herbs through cooking, satisfying the body's nourishment.
Chef Min
A Shan cuisine chef from Inle Lake, Myanmar, Chef Min practices food diplomacy through authentic, ingredient-driven cooking. His dishes highlight natural sourcing, cultural storytelling, and regional culinary traditions — earning him the nickname “the Jamie Oliver of Inle Lake.”
Local Partners
Potent Fungi
TBC
Maadae Slow Fish Kitchen
TBC
Sukjai by Pata Obasan
TBC
Help Us Bring This Experience to More People
We believe transformative experiences shouldn’t be limited by financial barriers. Through sponsorship, you can help us offer scholarships to talented Thai participants, contribute to sustainable food systems education, and build meaningful partnerships with Chiang Mai’s local food community.
Community Impact
Support Thai participants through full or partial scholarships
Brand Visibility
Recognition in program materials, website, and social media
Network Access
Connect with global-local participants and food innovators
Legacy Building
Contribute to a model that can be replicated across Southeast Asia
Any queries?
Frequently asked questions
Remote workers, creatives, and curious individuals who want to experience Chiang Mai’s food culture from the inside out—no professional food background needed.
Accommodation (Flexie Single at ALT_PingRiver), program activities, several communal dinners, occasional local visits, co-working access, and community events.
Several dinners and community meals are included. Other meals are self-organized or co-created by residents.
Many participants use a 30-day visa-exempt entry or a tourist visa (guidance provided after acceptance).
Deposits are non-refundable after confirmation but transferable to another approved participant if you can’t attend.
Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. Expect a reply within 7 days.
