July 15, 2025 Breaking News, Latest News, and Videos

Raw Vegan Food Comes To Santa Monica Place:

A vegan raw cooking school and restaurant has opened on the rooftop dining deck at Santa Monica Place, in the space once briefly occupied by Piero Selvaggio’s short-lived Primi Al Mercato trattoria and pasta shop.

M.A.K.E. cooking school and restaurant is brought to us by chef, cookbook writer, and vegan raw food advocate Matthew Kenney, a classically trained chef who has earned awards as a chef working in mainstream restaurants on the east coast.

But Kenney says all that changed when a friend took him to a raw food restaurant.

“After eating there, I felt so good, not heavy. Everyone there looked so healthy,” he said, and he began to re-think the way he cooked.

Kenney looks younger than his 48 years and says he no longer has aches and pains since he began eating a diet of raw plant-based food – no animal products, processed or pasteurized food, no sugar or wheat.

Raw food proponents believe nutrients and enzymes are lost when food is heated to more than 105 degrees, so other cooking techniques are used rather than heat. Dehydration, thermal immersion (cooking at low temperature in water), a smoke gun that adds smoke flavor without heat or cooking, fermentation and marination are some techniques Kenney uses to make raw cuisine.

Anyone can learn Kenney’s approach to raw cooking at the culinary school, a gleaming white space that’s outfitted with the likes of dehydrators, a Pacojet ice cream machine, and specialty slicers. The school has work stations for 12 students, each stocked with its own refrigerator, cutting board, blender, and utensil drawer. The curriculum will emphasize making raw cuisine from whole, organic, unprocessed plant-based foods.

With all the limits imposed on the preparation of raw plant-based food, how good can it taste?

At an introductory tasting at the culinary school, a beet carpaccio salad of thinly sliced raw red beets served with nut cheese and micro greens was a mixed bag. The nut cheese, made with only macadamia nuts, cashews, ‘probiotics,’ and sea salt, was surprisingly rich and creamy, but the raw beets lacked the full flavor of roasted beets. A scoop of chocolate ice cream made with raw cocoa powder tasted close enough to the real thing, but its texture was more like a semifreddo – this ice cream doesn’t melt.

These dishes and more will be on the menu of the restaurant, which will also serve wine and cocktails.

“The only way people will eat healthy food will be if they like it; enjoy it,” Kenney says.

For more information on the M.A.K.E. restaurant and culinary academy, located on the third floor dining deck Santa Monica Place, call 310.394.7046 or visit matthewkenneycuisine.com.

in News
<>Related Posts

California Hits Two-Thirds Clean Energy Milestone

July 15, 2025

July 15, 2025

This year, clean energy has powered the state for an average of seven hours daily, with over 90% of days...

Venice Beach to Host First Medal at 2028 Olympics

July 15, 2025

July 15, 2025

Venice Beach, known for its vibrant boardwalk, will kick off the 844 ticketed events, hosting the triathlon along its coastline...

Santa Monica Man Arrested for Allegedly Exporting Electronics to Iran

July 14, 2025

July 14, 2025

Ostovari, identified as the CEO of a Tehran-based engineering firm, allegedly orchestrated the scheme since 2018  A 66-year-old Santa Monica...

Federal Judge Sides with Santa Monica, Other Local Governments Against Immigration Raids

July 14, 2025

July 14, 2025

Santa Monica Mayor Lana Negrete praised the ruling, saying it reaffirmed the city’s commitment to protecting residents from unjust detention...

Veterans Tech Group to Launch Los Angeles Chapter with Networking Event

July 14, 2025

July 14, 2025

Founded in San Francisco, VetsInTech operates 20 chapters nationwide and claims more than 60,000 veterans VetsInTech, a national nonprofit that...

Film Review: Jurassic World: Rebirth

July 13, 2025

July 13, 2025

“The story is simplistic and predictive, and that’s all it needs to be, because the age-old battle to survive the...

Santa Monica Assault Suspect Faces Multiple Charges, Authorities Seek Additional Victims

July 13, 2025

July 13, 2025

Marbra allegedly assaulted a 52-year-old woman on the Strand in Santa Monica, facing a felony count of assault with intent...

SM.a.r.t.Column: Does the Rand Corporation have a future in Santa Monica?

July 13, 2025

July 13, 2025

“Although no one said it outright, it is clear to all that RAND is feeling—and will continue to feel—the impact...

County Health Leaders Decry Federal Policy Barring Undocumented from Programs

July 12, 2025

July 12, 2025

The officials argued the policy jeopardizes care for all residents, noting it could deter people—regardless of status—from seeking treatment  Leaders...

County Supervisors Move to Preserve Measure J Amid Charter Error

July 12, 2025

July 12, 2025

Measure J mandates that at least 10% of the county’s locally generated, unrestricted funds be allocated to community investments like...

LA Medical Center Seeks Help Identifying Unconscious Patient

July 12, 2025

July 12, 2025

He has been unconscious since admission, and staff have been unable to determine his identity Los Angeles General Medical Center,...

Mayor Bass Issues Directive to Protect Immigrant Communities

July 12, 2025

July 12, 2025

The order expands access to city resources for affected families and requests records from ICE, including details on arrests Mayor...

Downtown Santa Monica CEO Andrew Thomas to Step Down

July 11, 2025

July 11, 2025

Thomas, who rejoined DTSM, Inc. in 2022, oversaw the introduction of a private security program, expanded homeless outreach, and boosted...

Conservancy to Tour Historic Miles Playhouse at State of the City Event

July 11, 2025

July 11, 2025

Built in 1929, the Miles Playhouse serves as the centerpiece of Lincoln Park The Santa Monica Conservancy will offer 15-minute...

Sen. Ben Allen Highlights Challenges, Economic Gains for LA28 Olympics

July 11, 2025

July 11, 2025

The remarks came during the first informational hearing of the Senate’s Special Committee on International Sporting Events State Sen. Ben...