At Jenna Rae Cakes, we’re big believers that making life sweet goes far beyond dessert. Local Loves is where we share the people, places, and small rituals that add a little extra joy to our everyday lives. These are the businesses we genuinely love, trust, and recommend—because community, connection, and supporting one another really do make everything better.
Some experiences don't ask you to rush. They invite you to slow down.
Thermea Spa Village is one of those places. From the moment you step through the doors, the pace shifts—phones disappear; conversations get quieter, and suddenly your only real decision is whether to head for the sauna, do a cold plunge, or grab a cozy spot to simply do nothing.
We've always loved experiences that feel thoughtful from beginning to end, and Thermea Spa Village's Chef's Table is exactly that. It's more than an incredible meal. It's an evening designed to help you disconnect from everyday life and reconnect with the people sitting across the table from you.
Thermea Spa Village and Chef's Table
If you've never been to Thermea Spa Village, it's much more than a spa. Yes, you'll find thermal baths, saunas, relaxation spaces, a beach, Biergarden, and beautiful outdoor areas, but what really makes it special is how every part of the experience encourages you to slow down. This summer they've even introduced Sound Bath sessions inside their Prospector's Tent, creating another peaceful way to completely unplug.
And then there's Chef's Table. With just 12 seats available, it's one of Winnipeg's most intimate dining experiences. Alongside a beautifully curated multi-course menu, guests also enjoy private Aufguss sauna rituals, guided meditation, and immersive wellness experiences that transform dinner into something much more memorable. We’ve enjoyed this experience year after year and it has become a highlight of our summer. Discovering the new dishes, savouring each bite, and truly being in awe of the creativity put into the entire experience keeps us coming back each year.
Why We Love It
We love businesses that obsess over the little details, and the Spa Village does exactly that. From the second you walk through the doors, everything feels intentional. The spaces are beautiful without feeling overdone, every staff member genuinely wants you to relax, and the entire experience feels carefully considered from beginning to end.
The same philosophy carries into Chef's Table. Darnell, the Head Chef, shared that every menu begins with memories, local producers, seasonal ingredients, and countless rounds of testing. Every course is designed to tell a story, and every flavour, texture, and colour has a purpose.
One of the most meaningful dishes this season is a spruce tip sorbet inspired by a former chef who helped shape his career. It's a beautiful reminder that some of the best meals aren't just about the food. They're about the people and memories behind it. As bakers ourselves, we especially appreciated hearing his thoughts on pastry. "There are no shortcuts." We couldn't agree more!
The Vibe
Plan to arrive a few hours before dinner. Spend your afternoon moving between hot and cold pools, unwinding in the saunas, enjoying a drink in the Biergarden, maybe even sneaking in a nap, and leaving everyday life outside the gates. By the time Chef's Table begins, you'll be completely relaxed.
Dinner feels slow in the very best way. Conversations linger; courses arrive thoughtfully, strangers become familiar faces around the table, and for a few hours, there's nowhere else you'd rather be. It's luxurious without feeling formal, peaceful without ever feeling quiet, and somehow both indulgent and restorative at the same time.
Our Experience
What stood out most to us wasn't just the incredible food. It was how connected the entire evening felt. The wellness rituals, the setting, the intimate group of just 12 guests, the conversations between courses, and the obvious care from every member of the team all come together to create something that feels incredibly unique.
The food is exceptional. But it's really the feeling you leave with that stays with you. We completely understand why the team says they want guests to walk away feeling relaxed, connected, and like they've experienced something truly special.
Quick Lightning Round with the Thermea Spa Village Team
Q: For someone who has visited Thermea before but has never experienced Chef's Table, how would you describe what makes this experience different?
What we offer here is truly special, from the thermal baths to our Biergarden, our summer beach and now the new Sound Bath experience, but Chef’s Table is where it all comes together in one evening. Just 12 guests, a private Aufguss ritual, a sensory experience on the forest terrace, then a seasonal multi-course menu with wine pairing at every step.
Q: Only a small number of guests experience Chef's Table each evening. How does that intimacy shape the night?
Keeping the group small changes everything about the pace and feel of the evening. It gives us the chance to bring strangers, friends and family together and really let them connect over something memorable.
Q: What do you hope guests remember about the meal after Chef's Table is over?
I don’t think so much about the meal, but the moment they walk through those doors and feel something magical is about to happen, from start to finish.
Read the rest of our chat here!
Local Love Details
- Location: 775 Crescent Dr, Winnipeg, MB
- Best For: Thermal spa experiences, wellness rituals, spa days, couples' outings, and the unforgettable annual Chef's Table dining experience.
- Don't Miss: The Aufguss rituals that happen on the hour, every hour. And the pretzel bites at Le Resto! IYKYK
- Website/Bookings: Places are still available on July 29, 30, August 6, 12 and 13
Disclosure: We’ve been longtime clients of Thermea Spa Village and Chef's Table. Some services and products have been gifted in exchange for sharing our experience. As always, all thoughts and opinions are our own.
