The first time I met Whitney was when our kids were small and we both attended classes at A Mom’s Village, in Peabody. A couple of years later we ended up in the same chapter of the Women’s Business League, as busy moms both trying to find our way as small business owners. Now, a few more years have passed and I’m very excited to have the opportunity to introduce you to Whitney and share more about her incredible business, Bloom Kitchen & Retreats. Whitney is a hard-working mom who is truly passionate about food, nutrition and connection. Keep reading to learn how she started Bloom and some of the amazing classes, workshops and camps you and your family can look forward to in 2026.
Where are you from originally and what town do you live in now?
I grew up in a bit of a nomadic family. I lived in Utah and Anchorage, Alaska before we eventually settled in Southern California, moving to San Diego when I was five. In 2013, my husband and I moved to Massachusetts, and we now live in West Peabody – we LOVE the North Shore!
How many children do you have and what are their age(s)?
I have two daughters – Kennedy is 10 and Stevie is 7.
What’s your favorite family activity on the North Shore?
It really depends on the season. In the winter, we love getting outside and skiing when we can. In the warmer months, our family spends a lot of time in central Maine, where we have a small fixer-upper near a lake. Being outdoors, unplugging, and spending time together is our favorite way to reconnect.
Where’s your favorite place to eat and/or shop on the North Shore?
Much to my children’s dismay, we’re not big “eat out” or shopping people, but when we do go out as a family, we will go somewhere easy and close like MarketStreet Lynnfield – especially because it’s outdoors and easy with kids. Yard House is a favorite for happy hour, which is nostalgic for me since it originated in Southern California. I also still deeply miss authentic Baja Mexican food, and the closest I’ve found is the Taco Libre taco truck at The Lot in Middleton. That said, we really love cooking at home – Friday night homemade pizza is a staple in our house.
Tell us a little bit about your background and how you started Bloom Kitchen & Retreats.
I’ve been an entrepreneur for about 10 years, and for more than half of that time I worked in nutrition coaching and wellness. What I saw over and over again was that most adult women’s struggles with food weren’t about education – they were about mindset and their own relationship with food.
Many of us grew up in the era of ultra-thin 90s models, diet culture, and magazines that practically glorified living on cigarettes and coffee – not to mention the fat-free everything phase most of our moms were navigating at the time. It’s no surprise so many of us had to unlearn those messages as adults. And for me, that made one thing very clear: if we want something different for our daughters, the work has to start early.
As my own daughters got older, especially my oldest entering the tween years, I realized that the best way to create a healthy relationship with food is to start in childhood. Rather than going back to school, I chose to use the skills and passions I already had to create hands-on cooking classes that help kids fall in love with real food and the process of making it.
From there, Bloom naturally expanded. Food is just one part of overall well-being – confidence, emotional resilience, and connection matter just as much. Bloom was built on the belief that real change starts at home and within our local communities, and then ripples outward.
Where is Bloom Kitchen located?
Bloom Kitchen was mobile for the first two years, bringing classes into schools and community spaces across the North Shore. In the summer of 2025, we opened our own kitchen space at 58 Pulaski Street inside the Mills 58 building in Peabody. Most classes are now held there, though we still travel to local preschools and elementary schools throughout the North Shore.
What types of classes do you offer?
Bloom Kitchen classes go beyond teaching kids how to cook. While kitchen skills are an important part of what we do, the heart of every class is helping kids build confidence around food – discovering new ingredients, trying new things, and developing a healthy relationship with eating in a low-pressure, supportive environment. Cooking becomes the vehicle for encouraging adventurous eating and lifelong comfort in the kitchen.
Our core classes include:
- Little Blooms (ages 2+) – Hands-on cooking and food exposure designed to build curiosity, confidence, and adventurous eating habits.
- Supper Club (ages 6+) – Ongoing sessions focused on building kitchen skills, confidence, and independence.
- Girl Scout & Boy Scout classes – Badge-aligned cooking experiences
- Camps & non-school day programs (ages 6–12) – Vacation weeks, holidays, and summer camps
- School Programs (preschool–upper elementary) – Hands-on cooking classes hosted directly in schools.
- Birthday parties (ages 5+) – Expanding as we grow our team
Learn more or book a class at whitneycardosi.as.me/bloom-kitchen-all-classes.
When is your next Bloom Retreat and where will it be held?
The next Bloom Mother–Daughter Retreat is Saturday, March 7th at Bear Hill Golf Club in Stoneham, Massachusetts.
Who would benefit from attending the Bloom Retreat?
Bloom is designed for moms and daughters ages 8–12, during that in-between stage when parenting shifts from managing logistics to supporting emotional growth, confidence, and friendships. Some families come simply to spend quality time together, while others are navigating deeper conversations around confidence, body image, or social dynamics. The goal is to strengthen the core connection so families have a solid foundation to build on, no matter what challenges arise.
What can moms and daughters expect to gain or learn at the Retreat?
Each retreat is a little different, but the heart of Bloom is connection. This experience blends playful activities and meaningful conversations, including silly games, guided discussions around family core values, vision board creation, music, bingo, a photo experience, and a shared lunch. The focus isn’t on overwhelming families with information – it’s on creating moments that deepen connection and leave moms and daughters feeling more bonded when they leave. Moms can get tickets at www.whitneycardosi.com/bloom-retreat.
Looking ahead to summer, do you offer any special programs or camps?
Yes! We’re offering six weeks of summer cooking camps for kids ages 6 and up. Camps run Monday through Thursday from 9:30 am to 2 pm and are very hands-on, with kids completing four to five recipes each day in addition to learning basic skills like kitchen safety, nutrition, and more.. All skill levels are welcome, but camps are best suited for kids who can stay focused and engaged in a structured environment.
Any tips for balancing work and motherhood?
My biggest tip is to always put your family priorities first. I’m very intentional about protecting evenings and weekends so I can be present for my kids. I’ve learned to build my business around what matters most to me – and when something starts to interfere with that, it’s time to reassess and pivot, which I’ve done many times.
What is the best piece of mom advice you’ve ever received?
This isn’t necessarily a single piece of advice, but two things that completely changed my parenting. Working with Parenting Coach, Mel Pierce (@melpeirce.coach) helped me understand how children’s brains and nervous systems develop, which shifted everything for me. Parenting through the pandemic with two young kids brought up a lot of rage and overwhelm – to the point where I honestly scared myself. Mel helped me see that kids’ reactions are often rooted in brain development, not defiance.
A second major shift came through Jessica Addeo (@regulatedmomcoach), who introduced me to nervous system regulation and helped me recognize when something was a true issue versus a moment of dysregulation. That awareness allowed me to pause, offer comfort, and respond with far more patience and grace – for my kids and for myself.
What’s your favorite thing to do when you need some “me” time?
I’m not great at traditional self-care (ie, facials and manicures), but my version is time and routine. I’m intentional about going to bed on time so I can wake up early to enjoy quiet mornings with coffee, movement, or a good book. I also love honoring the seasons – winter and early spring are my time to slow down, recharge, and reset before and after very full summers and falls.
Learn more about Bloom Kitchen & Retreats at www.whitneycardosi.com. Follow along with Whitney on Instagram @bloomnorthshore or on Facebook at @bloomkitchenandretreats.
…
This post is sponsored by Bloom Kitchen & Retreats but all opinions present are my own.