About Me

I am Claudia Gallo, originally born and raised in Colombia, who came to the USA 30 years ago. Because I was a single working mom and didn’t have any chance to attend school to learn English, I devoted myself to raising my daughter. I learned 20 English words per day, worked very hard and cooked for her the best Colombian meals that I had learned from my two grandmothers. I was so blessed to see that my daughter learned English in only 3 months…. indeed she became my best teacher.

In this beautiful new country known as the ‘melting pot’ I discovered a variety of ethnic cuisines. I decided to go on a self-taught cooking adventure. It was an incredible experience for my daughter and I. Every time I took her to a different cultural restaurant, I told her that I am going to learn how to make this dish by using my 5 senses ( taste, touch, smell, vision and believe it or not….sound ). When our food was served, I closed my eyes for a minute to thank Almighty God and to guide me. I imagined that I was in that kitchen next to the chef using my 5 senses to learn……and learn I did!

Years later I experienced a life changing health challenge that help me realize that I need to be in optimum health to support my family.

I started with a vegetarian diet and a year later I changed to a strict plant-based diet. Fortunately, Spanish food has a lot of great secrets and ‘sazon’ in beans, veggies, etc.

Before covid my beloved and I did so much traveling and he always researched beforehand and found the best vegan restaurants in each land. The first we tried was in Hong Kong which so happened to be raw vegan. I fell in love with raw food which became my inspiration to become a raw vegan chef.

My new raw vegan educational adventure began with Pure Joy Academy and with Crystal Dawn Culinary School. With this valuable knowledge acquired it became my most precious endeavor to teach others what and how to eat healthy since most of my clients have cancer. I myself was once diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer and by eating and teaching a life of healthy food I am now clear and thrive.

 My inspiration:

When I was very little, I remember seeing my grandmother whistling, dancing and singing while she was making arepas (corn cakes), huevos pericos (scramble eggs with tomatoes and onions), hot chocolate and coffee. Those were unforgettable moments, only my grandmother could prepare such a great and delicious breakfast with so much happiness.

After of so recollections of my grandmother’s cooking, I realize that it was her soul that made her dance and sing every time she cooked; it was her way of expressing her love, happiness and gratitude to Almighty God, for her family, her house, her kitchen, the food that she prepared, the water, the sun and everything under it.