Interview: Gita Gavare, Plant-Based Chef
We sat down with Gita Gavare who creates the delicious and healthy raw plant-based meals during our September Retreat. Here are a few excerpts from our conversation, as well as some of the photos of her food we took.
Tell us a bit about who you are and what you love.
There are many things that I love, but my passion is exploring life and its opportunities, focusing on quality in nature, inner and outer beauty, creativity, and importantly, cooking. What we eat is a big part of our experience on this Earth, and we have gone far from the natural foods that we are supposed to be eating.
I was born in the ex-Soviet Union and grew up in the countryside, eating food that we mostly grew ourselves I learnt what was natural and healthy, like sauerkraut – now considered a superfood – and herbs, plant medicine from my mother and grandmother. I became obsessed with health; as a young girl, I wanted to be beautiful
What prompted your shift towards plant-based eating or veganism?
When I had children, I wanted to provide the best for me. That’s when I learnt more about healing through food and turned more to plant-based and veganism.
I was introduced by a friend to a healer. At first, I was afraid and sceptical, but when I called her, I began to cry over the phone. This led to a profound realisation about myself like it was the first time somebody told me there was nothing wrong with me.
She was also a vegetarian, and she once asked me how I could experience compassion if I didn’t practice it. As a child, I wondered about eating animals, so for me it made sense. I also remember seeing an older American woman, Mimi Kirk, who was 74 but looked like 40. I was already trying to be vegan at the time, and that was the final encouragement I needed.
What was the impact of you changing your eating?
I became much healthier. I still drink coffee and wine but I never really get sick. I also don’t have issues other women my age have: I am 52, have not reached menopause yet, and my doctor tells me I could still have five more children! I wouldn’t want that, but it’s a good indication of how healthy my body is.
My transition influenced my eldest son to adopt a plant-based diet, who did so eight years ago, overnight, after reading all the data on it. Although my younger children were initially hesitant, they’ve shown openness to it, so I think they will also change one day..
How did you start cooking for others?
I have always enjoyed hosting gatherings and celebrations when I would cook, and people praised my food. It gave me a lot of joy – since childhood in fact – to see a big table filled with people together enjoying good and healthy food.
I moved to Crete in 2020 after the first lockdown, after being here many times and reading Greek mythology as a child. It felt like an impossible dream coming from the ex-Soviet Union, and I couldn’t leave Denmark while my children were young. But three and a half years ago I came to Crete to write a book. My daughter came with me, and I ended up staying!
While on Crete, I cooked for my partner and friends. I made only plant-based food, even for meat eaters, who enjoyed it. Then I began to cook food at a local taverna on Mondays: I did three Vegan Evenings which went very well, with 40 people coming to a vegan buffet I had made. It was great but too much work as I was doing everything.
After that, some people asked me to cook for them privately, and that was how it started.
How do you plan meals for events like retreats?
When planning meals, I think about what’s available, and what is good, and I like to challenge myself to try something new. It’s never boring! I don’t use white flour or sugar, and everything comes from whole foods. I also like to use herbs that are healing, and the local Cretan ones are extremely good for you: oregano, thyme and rosemary are my favourites, of which I have a large bush outside. I like to integrate anything I can from the land, which is extra powerful!
I enjoy cooking for individuals who want healthy and healing food, such as mostly raw food and whole foods. I believe that food is, like Hippocrates said, our medicine. And in Crete, there is so much great food to find.
The possibilities are endless. I’m continuously learning from other great vegan chefs that make innovative things like raw pasta from sweet potato, or vegan tuna – both of which I now make myself. It’s such a discovery! I admire several vegan chefs, including Kara Brothman and Marcus Ronskranz, who focus on whole, mostly raw foods and create gourmet vegan food. I’m learning to make even pancakes or bread with raw food.
How do you envision developing your cooking further?
I wish to elevate it, as these other chefs do. I really love delicious food and suffer here in Crete when we go to local tavernas because it’s always the same thing. And while I enjoy most of the dishes, I would enjoy a bit of variety, even just a falafel with spices and onion!
I was amazed when I discovered how to make chocolate mousse out of avocados, without whipped cream or anything. And it’s super delicious, super nutritious and super healthy. You are what you eat, and I like to feel healthy. There is a lot of power in the herbs that collect energy from the sun, wind and soil.
Besides cooking, what other passions do you pursue?
My interests span healing, celebrating life, connecting with nature, styling, and helping others recognize their beauty and potential.
I’m passionate about beauty, life and joy. I believe that when people see their beauty, they can flourish. Like you say, they ‘find their magic’. It is magic! To do that it’s important to heal from everything we have been socialised from. Even though our parents did their best, we have all been victims of some sort. So we need to work on that so we can celebrate life. That and the fact that I’m also very much into nature and herbs – perhaps I am a bit of a medicine woman!
I also enjoy being out, dressing up, dancing and singing. I enjoy focusing on how I look; I even style other women. Because of our socialisation, people hide, and don’t want to be out much, are afraid to stand out. In Scandinavia, everyone is in black or grey. I like the power, the confidence and the attitude to life when I feel good when I’m dressed and feel beautiful. It doesn’t cost much, I go to secondhand or preloved shops – and you still look like a million dollars.
Being in Crete has given me more freedom. It was very healing and empowering for me to move here, and I am celebrating life! I feel like I am living in the best spot on Earth for me. My children are all adults and I am really living, having the best time of my life.
Do you feel your current lifestyle inspires others?
Yes, I’ve received messages from women who have written to me directly as they felt inspired by my journey. They enjoyed my energy, and how I dress and asked for advice on confidence, style, and health. Previous healers had told me that I could help people, and so this encouraged me to embrace my role, which I am stepping into now.
How was your experience cooking for our retreats? Every single participant so far has rated the food 5 stars out of 5, including a private chef who came last year.
The experience is wonderful, you are the best! Cooking for your retreats has been a joy. I aim for perfection in my work, which can be challenging with larger groups, but I love to share love through my cooking. It’s another form of healing.
What are your future aspirations?
My dream would be to open a raw vegan restaurant in Crete. I couldn’t do it alone, however; I’m inspired by Gaidaros in Vamos, where there are eight people collectively driving the place. And they are all still busy! It needs a good group of like-minded people who can work together. Then it can also be fun!
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