Chicago - March 28, 2008

The Raw Deal

Cru Cacao Catering and Cooking Classes

Your raw food anthem goes something like this:

I don’t want no salmonella, ella, ella, ay, ay, ay.

You’re clueless. Eating raw doesn’t mean undercooking food; it means never heating anything above 118 degrees, thus keeping vitamins, enzymes, and nutrients intact for optimal health.

For a beginner’s boost, call Cru Cacao. Started by husband-and-wife duo Dereme Church and Blazej Mikulicz (both internationally trained chefs), the new local catering company specializes in organic, raw, and vegan food, including handmade raw chocolates. Even better: They offer private raw food prep classes.

Invite them into your kitchen (with up to five pals) and learn how to use blenders, juicers, and dehydrators (provided by them) to create dishes like a lasagna with zucchini, heirloom tomatoes, herbed cashew ricotta, and wild mushrooms or a Katmandu samosa tagine with cauliflower and root veggies.

They’ll also advise on how and where to shop for the best local organic ingredients.

Pretty swella.

Cru Cacao (877-729-2462 or crucacao.com).