About Sunita

I grew up on a tea plantation in Darjeeling, India. I was surrounded by fresh air, farm-to-table ingredients, and home-cooking with spices that others call exotic but, to me, tasted like home. I watched my father savor the taste of his tea the same way we relished my mother’s sumptuous cooking. I learned early the importance and nuance of flavor, aroma and balance.

During holiday get-togethers, my grandparents (both wonderful cooks) would challenge each other and compete for whose food tasted the best. The rest of us were happy recipients of their contest; everything on the table was delicious!

Back then, I cherished meals for the laughter and love, as well as the magic on our plates. Today, I remember them for the way they connected food and eating to generosity and gratitude.

Our family continues the tradition of eating together, and everyone gets in on the act. My three children are my official tasters; nothing makes it into our programs if it doesn’t get a 10 (out of 10) and a super-enthusiastic thumbs-up from them. They each assist with demonstrations, and my daughter shoots our videos for YouTube. Even our dog, Alfa, gets involved...he may be the only 100% raw member of the family.

In 2010, I founded The Raw Food Centre, Singapore with the mission to spread awareness about raw living foods and to work with families to integrate healthy eating into their busy lifestyles. In 2014, we expanded to Chicago and (for the retreats) to exotic locations around the world. Through our site, we offer many opportunities and workshops, seasonal cleanses, plus recipes, favorite foods and preferred methods.

I am a certified Gourmet Raw Food Chef and Nutrition Educator from the Living Light Culinary Institute and Matthew Kenney Culinary Academy in California. In 2010, I founded the Sunita Vira, in Singapore with the goal to help people take healthy eating into their lifestyle for vibrant health. In 2014, I moved back to my home in Chicago and expanded the Center. My goal is to make our raw journey together appealing, delicious, manageable and fun. Having developed a new, global approach to raw cuisine, I look forward to sharing it with you every time you visit.

As a chef and an educator, I have a passion for getting you comfortable in the kitchen and sharing recipes and knowledge I’ve gained from a lifetime of learning and experimenting with foods.

As a mother, I take my inspiration from my children and I will guide those of you struggling with how to plan and prepare healthy food for yourself and your family. As a global traveller and a woman of Indian heritage, I offer you the world in terms of cuisine, flavors, spices, preparations, and techniques.

As a healer, I approach food with respect and embrace raw (or nearly-raw), living, plant-based foods and methods that result in increased energy, enhanced immunity and disease prevention, effective weight management, clearer eyesight, glowing skin, thicker hair, better sleep, improved metabolism and fertility, deceleration of the aging process, and relief from depression.