{meet the chef}
Raw Chef-Instructor Helen Castillo is director and founder of
The Raw Palate®, a living foods lifestyle organization she established to help others transform their lives through better food and lifestyle choices.
a short biography
Being introduced to a raw vegan lifestyle several years ago after attending a raw desserts class, Chef Helen Castillo developed both a passion for supporting local organic farmers and a palate for eating healthful foods prepared mainly from raw fruits, vegetables, seeds and nuts.
As a graduate of the inaugural class of professional raw chefs at the 105degrees Academy (now known as the Matthew Kenney Academy), she also earned both her Associate Chef/Instructor and Advanced Raw Culinary Arts Instructor certifications at the Living Light Culinary Arts Institute. Living foods nutritional training from the Ann Wigmore Natural Health Institute along with hands-on experience previously gained from having followed a vegetarian, macrobiotic, and vegan lifestyle have allowed her to provide a well-rounded perspective and holistic approach in her teachings.|||
what clients say
Here’s what The Natural Gourmet Institute for Food and Health students are saying about Chef Helen Castillo:
❝Loved Helen. She is so enthusiastic [with] high energy and seems to love her work. Very enlightening!❞
❝Yes! She’s fabulous!❞
❝Really excellent class!! Helen really peaked my interest in chocolate, its properties, its history. She is so exuberant and is an excellent and inspiring teacher. I learned so much!! [The] class was interactive, and teacher, very engaging.❞
❝…Helen is the best raw food instructor the School has had…❞
❝Chef Castillo is a wonderful cook, teacher and presenter. Her knowledge is deep and her attention to detail, amazing. She came so prepared, giving chocolate a depth of knowledge that made it more of a delight. The food was delicious and the class was a wonderful learning experience.❞
certifications
❒ Professional Chef — (Inaugural graduating class) 105degrees Academy, Oklahoma
❒ Associate Chef/Instructor — Living Light Culinary Arts Institute, California
❒ Advanced Raw Culinary Arts Instructor — Living Light Culinary Arts Institute, California
❒ Living Foods Lifestyle — Ann Wigmore Natural Health Institute, Puerto Rico
❒ Food Styling — Delores Custer, New York
❒ Pastry Techniques Program — The French Culinary Institute, New York
❒ Master Composter — Lower East Side Ecology Center, New York
❒ ServSafe — National Restaurant Association Education Foundation, New York
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associations
❒ International Association of Culinary Professionals
❒ New York State Restaurant Association
❒ Women Chefs & Restaurateurs
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culinary instructor
❒ Park Slope Food Co-op — Brooklyn, New York
❒ Natural Gourmet Institute for Food and Health — New York, New York
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fun facts
❒ Cuisine — Raw Vegan Gourmet
❒ Languages Spoken — Spanish | English
❒ Favorite Flavors — Cardamom | Ginger
❒ Favorite Flavor Combination — Lemongrass, Kaffir Lime, Yuzu
❒ Dislike — Spicy hot
❒ Notable Dishes — Creamy Ginger Vinaigrette | Broccoli Quiche | Vanilla Pecan Praline Ice Cream
❒ Kitchen Tool I Wish I Had — Electric Coconut Opener
❒ Chef to Prepare Me a Meal — Michel Bras | Thomas Keller | Masa Takayama | Robert Irvine
❒ Place to Live — Costa Rica | Italy
❒ Favorite Book — Natura | Modernist Cuisine
❒ Favorite Kitchen Store — JB Prince
❒ Most Important Kitchen Rule — Work clean, neat and orderly
