Omid Jaffari :: An Interview and Giveaway

April 10, 2009

Omid Jaffari is one of the raising stars of the raw food culinary world. I had the good fortune to connect with him, and I am very pleased to have him as one of Raw Epicurean’s contributing chefs.

At the age of 17, Omid began his culinary training studying under the direction of talented chefs and restaurant owners in New Zealand, who helped guide and influence his style. Extensive travel coupled with a desire to learn and experience the various tastes and flavors of world cuisine has also helped him evolve as a culinary artist.

He is truly an interesting person, has a fun sense of humor, and is totally passionate about the endless possibilities and delicious raw food meal he can create. He currently lives in Japan with his lovely wife and partner Gabrielle.

Let’s meet Omid!

RE: At what point in your culinary career did you discover raw food?

OJ: This is a very good question to start off with Ingrid. I discovered raw food at a point in my cheffing career when I was thinking of changing directions completely, I was tired of grotty kitchens, and thus I was doing my BA in Philosophy. At that time, I just came back from a 10 day meditation course, which I went to for an assignment that I had to complete on the subject of neuroscience philosophy. When I came back, I met a friend who was into raw food and his arguments for changing his lifestyle to raw and living foods just made sense. I came back with such clarity and some realizations about the area of how neural mechanisms work and the way foods contributes to our nervous system all the way to the sociology of emotions and effects on our cells. I realized that not only Raw Food Makes Sense but it contributes to our evolutionary growth which is very much a spiritual realization.

RE: You have traveled extensively and lived in many different countries – the Middle East, New Zealand, Asia, Africa, South America, and Europe. Looking back, which country’s cuisine most influences and inspires you as a chef?

OJ: To me, food is culture, it tells you all about that society, their complexities and simplicities, about their way of thinking and living. This is why I enjoy Asia so much, especially Japan. Being in Japan has made me realize that in western food culture, one gets bombarded with flavours, and thus it always makes us seek for more flavour and intensities, whereas in Japanese food culture, flavours are so mild and gentle on your palate that they allow you to understand and enjoy all the subtle layers of flavours and simplicity. This methodological concept of eating allows one to appreciate and be grounded in enjoying the food culture without it being such an emotional matter.

RE: Currently, you live Asia. Do you see a high level of interest and is raw food popular in Japan?

OJ: Well, it all really depends on how you want me to answer this question Ingrid, but to say that Japanese people are very interested in Raw Food Culture, I would have to say no. But, this does not mean that they won’t be interested in raw food in the future. In Japan, when it comes down to the majority, everything is done as a group or as a mass, if the time comes to a point when raw food is slightly a mainstream thing in other countries, then you could say, that it might start taking off here. First, it might have to become a fashion statement to gain popularity for raw food to take off in Japan. I have noticed that Japanese people also like soft food; they even cook carrots before putting them in salads.

RE: How is it being raw and living in Japan for you?

OJ: Besides being very expensive, it is not easy to be raw in Japan. Restaurants generally do not serve nice big salads as they do in western countries and finding organic food is not as easy as it is in the US or NZ. In fact, Japanese organic produce simply means you don’t add pesticides, unlike say in New Zealand, it takes about 7 years of cultivation for a land to become eligible to grow organic products, whereas in Japan, if it is necessary it is only 5 years. But, it has taught me one thing that I take to heart, which might have been hard to realize if I was, say, living in Canada. Being raw in Japan has taught me that going on a raw food diet does not mean extravagant food choices. Your diet can be simple and successful; you don’t need extra super foods, vitamins, etc. One can easily eat simple fresh raw food and apply some easy techniques and live the wholesome raw food lifestyle without the extra expense and the commercialized side of raw foodism.

RE: How has being raw contributed to your physical, mental, and spiritual well-being?

OJ: Well, you got me here Ingrid. I think that raw food has and is helping me with my gummy bear addictions. You see whenever I open a gummy bear packet, the smell and taste takes me back to my childhood, memories come back to me about how pure, energetic and care free I was, how I used to eat gummy bears without the thought of questioning love, guilt and working out all the concerns we grownups have! Therefore, raw food is helping me in synchronizing my emotional nervous system and grounding me physically in order to have a better concentration in understanding the science of my mind (memories, imaginations, thoughts, emotions; basically gummy bears) to leave me enough room and clarity of consciousness so that I could have a glimpse of the science of spirituality and the methodology of how detachment works. Thus, I see raw food consciousness as a multi level tool in this life journey.

RE: What do you enjoy most about being a chef?

OJ: What I enjoy the most about being a chef are the challenges that it sets me out to face such as always coming up with something new. I love creating recipes and tasting them. I love serving family and friends and surprising guests with a new style and new tastes and how raw food can’t only be sexy but also how raw food can make you feel sexy.

RE: What fun projects can we look forward to that you are involved in?

OJ: Well, on a personal level, I am working on recipes and articles for a book that a lovely friend Mila has been working on and also for Purely Delicious Magazine for this summer. But as a team member of the TTS website, we are working and building our Raw Food Resource Center (Raw Food Nutritional Information) area. It is going to be about 1500 pages. Our aim is to make it almost an online Raw Food Dictionary. Each food will have: an Introduction, Are they raw? Health Benefits and Complete Nutritional Information per Serving: and it is to be finished sometime this year. We are also working very hard in making our exquisite 100% Organic Nama Shoyu available in the US and Canada.

RE: What are some of your favorite books and magazines on the topic of raw food, green living, and spirituality?

OJ: Come to think of it, I can’t say that I have read any books on raw food. Most of the information I have acquired comes from experiences, internet, newsletters and listening to people talk about raw food. Living in Japan, English books on such a specialized topic are really hard to come by. I really enjoy reading books that have to do with my studies, which are: Human Energy System by Jack Schwarz. Sri Aurobindo or the Adventure of Consciousness by Satprem. And Matter and Consciousness by Paul M. Churchland.

RE: What hobbies do you enjoy?

OJ: Basically everything that makes me more involved in my work -education, exercising, and creativity.

RE: What is the most amusing response you’ve experienced or reaction you’ve received when you told someone about the raw food diet?

OJ: Are you a Horse, or a Rabbit? What do you mean Raw Food, carrots and cucumbers? Oh that’s great! When you come for dinner, you can just snack from the weeds in the yard, you’ll be a cheap guest that’s for sure (So cheeky).

RE: Which fruits or vegetables are your favorites, least favorite and why?

OJ: I love tomatoes, cucumbers, red onions, garlic and of course lemons. I very much enjoy their freshness. When I eat these vegetables I particularly feel alive and awake, fresh and vibrant. When it comes to fruit, I love everything in the berry family. I find berries to be smooth and sweet as well as comforting. I also find the color red appealing, a total sense experience! I don’t want to use the word “dislike” but I am not a big fan of apples, kiwi fruits and persimmons.

RE: Where and what was your most memorable raw meal?

OJ: When Gabrielle and I went to visit my dad in Sydney, Australia before his heart surgery, Gabrielle and I made some of our raw recipes for my dad to try out for the first time. I guess I really enjoyed our meals because of the sensitivity of the situation. But I have to say that he, my dad, was almost convinced on changing his diet on condition that we became his personal chefs.

RE: What is the one thing about you that very few people know?

OJ: To be honest with you Ingrid, I was very healthy before trying out raw food and making it my lifestyle. But one thing that not many know about me is the fact that I committed myself to raw food while I was working on my first Raw food “Cook” book called: Chop to Impress. Creating raw food recipes that were delicious, fun and made me feel great and convinced me that this was the way to live my life. Using vegetables and fruits in a whole different way opened up a new world for me in the kitchen and this had a huge impact on my life.

RE: If you could be or do anything else, what would that be?

OJ: To be honest, I am and would be doing exactly the same thing I am doing right now.

RE: What one word would you use to describe yourself?

OJ: Versatile, but if you ask Gabrielle, she would say a bulldog. When I am determined, I don’t let go! So a versatilebulldog (I even made it one word for you).

RE: Last, but not least, is there any advice you’d like to share with aspiring raw chefs and those of us who love to prepare raw food at home?

OJ: I find this question to be a very personal one, because everyone is so different in their style and to what inspires them. But I would say that keeping an indoor French Intensive, with lots of herbs growing in it, and then implementing it spontaneously in your raw food creations will bring magic to your kitchen, dishes and your palate.

Un million thanks to Omid for his participation, contribution and for everything he does to bring raw food to the light.

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Gifts for the Giving

Omid has so kindly offered 3 ebooks for this giveaway:

How to Set Up Your Kitchen
Impressive Raw Food Recipes
Shake Formula

Also, Omid informed me that the company that makes their Organic Nama Shoyu is currently out-of-stock. However, they have offered to provide 2 bottles exclusively for Raw Epicurean readers! Thank you so much! Learn more about Organic Nama Shoyu.

Please note: It may take 10 days or more from the date of the giveaway for the winning recipients to receive the bottle Organic Nama Shoyu.

To participate in the drawing for one [1] of these generous gifts, simply answer this question:

Which junk food addition has raw food helped you overcome?

On Tuesday, April 14th, I’ll announcement the names of the winners and which gift they won.

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More about Omid Jaffari

Visit Omid’s blog Shiitakeblog and collaborative website Tried Tasted Served

See Omid’s contributions here on Raw Epicurean:

Recipe - Sticky Date Lovers with Upside Down Sugar Cane Whipped Cream

Article - Effects of Cooking on Vitamins and Minerals

Tweet This: Send Page to Twitter

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Comments

36 Comments so far

elena on April 10, 2009 Friday, 7:19 am
Which junk food addition has raw food helped you overcome?

I never really had any food addictions, but sometimes craved foods like potato chips (one in a while). Since having gone raw/vegan the thought of digesting such foods scares me, so I am potato chip-free :)
Hannah on April 10, 2009 Friday, 7:42 am
Hands down, raw desserts are great for those of us who decided to kick refined sugar and needed some inspiration to stick to it! Raw desserts were my first introduction to raw food–the amazing pies, cakes & puddings at Cafe Gratitude in San Francisco were so good I decided to start trying it out at home.
Katie Sanders on April 10, 2009 Friday, 8:19 am
Raw foods has helped me overcome my addiction to sugar and pastries. A dollop of almond butter, carob, honey, nutmilk, and cinnamon all mixed together is the best dessert! I am still working on my addiction to chips. That may take longer!
Karena Thurston on April 10, 2009 Friday, 8:21 am
I am very new to raw food, and am not exclusively raw, but so far raw juices have helped me kick my breakfast cereal habit. That may be odd to classify as junk food, but I truly believe the majority of breakfast cereals (with all the processing and refined sugars) are JUNK.
Aurora on April 10, 2009 Friday, 8:55 am
Not exactly a junk food, but an unhealthful addiction for sure: alcohol. I find the more raw I eat, the less I crave it. I want Kombucha instead of beer! It was amazing to me when I realized, my need to drink has really just dropped away. I believe it raw food could be a cure for alcoholism.

Kat
Stacy N. on April 10, 2009 Friday, 10:14 am
Which junk food addition has raw food helped me to overcome?

I would have to say dairy, specifically ICE CREAM, but also cheeses. Raw nut milks, nut/seed cheeses, and raw ice creams made from coconuts or nuts have really opened my eyes to see that these things definitely do not have to be made with dairy! Love life to it’s fullest :) -Stacy N.
caitlin on April 10, 2009 Friday, 10:58 am
its not really junk food, but raw food has helped cure me of my cravings for mate tea. i don’t drink coffee or soda, so mate was a great boost in my day when i was too tired. but when i eat raw i have so much energy that i don’t need any caffeine.
earthmother on April 10, 2009 Friday, 11:11 am
Wonderful interview! I loved this – food is culture – and couldn’t agree with you more.

I so enjoy oggling over the delicious recipes and photos on your site, Omid. And, I adore your lovely wife Gabrielle.

Raw food has helped me overcome my addiction to pasta. Now I crave kelp noodles and zucchini pasta.
Angelique on April 10, 2009 Friday, 11:40 am
I no longer crave cheese. Zero interest in it. It’s not like I found 1:1 replacements for it in raw food — sure, there are creamy recipes and cheese-like dishes, but the main thing is, I don’t go hunting for those recipes because I no longer NEED cheese like I used to. The addiction is gone. Hooray!
Winona on April 10, 2009 Friday, 11:57 am
I used to love eating cheese pizza. Now that I’m raw, I haven’t had cooked pizza in over a year!
Jason Nickolay on April 10, 2009 Friday, 12:46 pm
it has definitely helped me with getting off the sugar addiction.
Umm Nassim on April 10, 2009 Friday, 3:27 pm
French pastries and cakes…croissants, pains au chocolat…now I rather eat some raw cookies with a glass of ice cold almond milk.
Sheila S. on April 10, 2009 Friday, 3:36 pm
What junk food addiction have I kicked????? I don’t know what they’re called, but I’ve been killing for those little fried and salty Asian rice crackers since I was a kid!
Patricia on April 10, 2009 Friday, 4:43 pm
I was a complete and total sugar and starch addict. I was the “go-to” girl for anyone that wanted some candy, pastry or coffee. I always had plenty in my bag!! I could not start the day without a caramel macchiato and a piece of marble loaf from Starbucks. I am now thoroughly loving the raw lifestyle, and I’m so happy to have found an outlet for both my creativity & my sweet tooth: raw desserts! They satisfy, and I never have the urge to overeat them. I love making raw “cheese” cakes and creamy chocolate pudding from young coconuts. My eczema has vanished and I feel wonderful…
Erin on April 10, 2009 Friday, 5:33 pm
I am not “raw” yet but I would hope that when I became raw, it would curb my salt addiction!!!
astrorainfall on April 10, 2009 Friday, 5:34 pm
Deep-fried chicken wings. I used to even grill them at home to re-create that “happy hour” feeling I associated fried chickens wings with. Now that I have gone raw, my appetite for all meat, dairy, and fish have naturally subsided. Zero cravings, in fact, I feel repulsed. This is something that has completely surprised me because I was a heavy meat-eater. I cannot bear the thought of letting any meat past my lips now. Viva raw!!!
Emily on April 10, 2009 Friday, 5:57 pm
nachos!
Sara on April 10, 2009 Friday, 6:09 pm
Crackers, flax crackers are by far better
Danielle on April 10, 2009 Friday, 7:42 pm
Ice cream, definitely! I would eat ice cream bowl after bowl, it is the ultimate junk food to me. The more I eat raw foods, the less I crave it (among other things!)
Carroll on April 10, 2009 Friday, 7:58 pm
Working toward going raw in hopes of curbing my sugar addiction. It’s every bit as “real” an addiction as drugs, alcohol or nicotine!
Nicole on April 10, 2009 Friday, 8:15 pm
Cadbury solid chocolate eggs. I know, crazy! Thank goodness for me they only were sold at Easter time. I am a texture person so the crunchiness of all the fresh veggies and fruits helped me get over the crunch of those little sugar demons:)

Nicole those little sugar demons cause serious temptation for some of us. I love chocolate yet I can resist it, well sometimes :-) But I wanted to mention that I think their is a raw version of Cadbury eggs being whipped up a Pure Food and Wine in NYC! I’ll check it out and follow up with some news.
Mari T on April 10, 2009 Friday, 8:46 pm
French fries, and all types, seasoned and curly were my favorite. I have a better alternative since becoming raw, dehydrated sweet potatoes and jicama fries :)
Raw food has also kept me very grounded, I dont really drink alcohol anymore, instead I send time learning about healthy living and appreciating life.
james on April 11, 2009 Saturday, 12:23 am
I’ve always been unable to eat less than an entire bag of peanut butter cups if I get my hands on a single one. Getting away from those and processed sugars in general has done wonders for me, but I recently discovered raw vegan peanut butter cups at a local coffeehouse and oh my! The grassy complexity of both raw peanuts and “raw” chocolate (low temp process?) makes an otherwise familiar treat - one that was suitable only for mass consumption - such a trip!
beth on April 11, 2009 Saturday, 3:52 am
No more gluten, no more refined sugar, no more processed foods!! Life is sooo much better without any of these things!! Yeah to raw food!
eeeks on April 11, 2009 Saturday, 4:13 am
Sweets, definitely. With all the raw options, who needs refined sugar?
Jenna on April 11, 2009 Saturday, 10:20 am
Three months ago, I was a chocoholic. I wanted, needed, chocolate after every meal! I loved chocolate in all the worse ways… I have been known to eat entire boxes of cookies. Since going raw, I no longer feel like I “have” to have any processed food. Friends and family were very surprised that my chocolate addiction was just gone. Now I crave chewy dates, juicy pears, and sweet persimmons! Yum!
Nathalie Lussier on April 11, 2009 Saturday, 3:06 pm
Raw food has helped me overcome my addiction to chips, and candy. I’m a sweets kinda girl, and I really was hooked on the sweet things: granola bars, cookies, fruity candy, chocolate candy, you name it.

Now I make my own delicious raw treats, and I never miss chips. I don’t know why I don’t miss chips, maybe I get the satisfaction of eating crunchy veggies and I don’t need the chips? But in any case, woohoo go raw foods! :)
Zara on April 11, 2009 Saturday, 4:33 pm
Another great interview Ingrid, thank you!

My path to raw food is a slow and steady one, and as I’ve commented before on previous posts, I’m eating more and more vegetarian than carnivore, and the food I eat is sometimes cooked, sometimes raw. I’m trying to avoid refined sugar and excess salt. Raw desserts have really helped me to avoid refined sugar.
Rebecca on April 11, 2009 Saturday, 11:20 pm
Great interview Ingrid & Omid!
I’d have to say pasta, making veggie noodles simply can’t be beat. It’s so nice enjoying a meal and NOT feeling tired and bloated.

Can’t wait to see more from you Omid!
Christiane on April 12, 2009 Sunday, 4:06 am
Potato chips is definitely one addiction that going Raw has helped with. I used to be almost powerless to resist them =), but since making the raw switch, I’ve found it very easy to walk right past them.
I must admit, however, that I couldn’t have done it without some salty-snack substitutes such as kale chips!
Wysteria on April 13, 2009 Monday, 10:15 am
I have to say that raw foods have helped me overcome my “stress” addiction to alcohol. I wasn’t an alcoholic by any stretch of the imagination but if I went out I would have a couple drinks and if I was stressed I would go buy a bottle of wine. I don’t do that anymore and I love it! I have been alcohol free since August 2008. In September 2008 I tried a sip of wine and had to give it to someone else at the table because I didn’t like the way it made my body feel. I haven’t touched it since!

Also, I haven’t had potato chips in ages! Great question! Thanks for the opportunity to answer such a thought provoking question. xo
Angela Hermes on April 13, 2009 Monday, 11:04 am
The raw food lifestyle has helped me to overcome my addiction to unhealthful desserts such as sugar laden pies, cookies, and chocolate bars. I can now make healthier versions of all of these things. Yay!
Love Figs on April 13, 2009 Monday, 11:57 am
Raw food is new to me. I’ve only tried one recipe that happens to be from this site the mulberry jam cookies and they are so damn good. I have a big sweet tooth and really should be tougher on myself and cut back on refined sugar with healthier sweetener options.
Raw Epicurean Giveaway :: Ebooks by Omid Jaffari + Organic Nama Shoyu : Raw Epicurean on April 14, 2009 Tuesday, 12:47 pm
Find out who won which gifts from this interview giveaway here
Omid Jaffari :: An Interview and Giveaway | EasyTomatoes.com on April 21, 2009 Tuesday, 12:17 am
[…] the original post here: Omid Jaffari :: An Interview and Giveaway Share and […]
Mila on June 2, 2009 Tuesday, 2:58 pm
What a great interview! I have a feeling we’ll be seeing a lot more of Omid, as he is truly a genuine talent!

In my experience, eating a high raw food diet has helped me overcome sugar cravings and definitely my emotional eating tendencies.

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