Frequently Asked Questions
for Academy Trainings and Cooking Classes
Please check first if we have already answered your question and if not, do not hesitate to contact us directly by writing us an email (contact details further down).
Are you able to provide more details on your Certification?
Our certificates are a proof of completion of each individual training. We offer certain trainings in modules or levels, which is reflected in the certificates. There is no world standard certification in the raw vegan culinary world at the moment, not like the Yoga Alliance.
However our certificates describe the content of the training in detail and are recognised within the raw vegan culinary world. Our foundational Raw Chef Training level 1 certificate proves the achievement of a basic raw kitchen skill set and plant-based nutrition knowledge.
Will I be able to work in Bali or Indonesia with your Certification after the training?
Our certificate is very useful and well recognised in the raw food field, but in Indonesia restaurants very rarely hire foreigners as the immigration rules are very strict and local salaries are lower than foreigners expect. Even volunteering and internships are restricted by the strict immigration policies. In exceptional cases, our café will consider long-term internships (6+ months) but the intern will need to cover all travel, accommodation and living expenses including the “kitas”/work permit costs.
Do I need advanced/level 2 training to start cooking professionally?
It takes a lot of courage, sweat and tears to cook professionally! Our trainings are a stepping stone into the vegan culinary world and then you will need to practice, practice, practice. Gain experience by volunteering or interning in cafés and restaurants or by assisting experienced teachers in cooking classes and culinary trainings. This will give you opportunities and contacts for your future career.
Can you recommend working opportunities locally or worldwide?
Please speak to us directly or email education@sayurihealingfood.com and we will put you in touch with any open opportunities we know of. All training alumni are invited to join our Raw Chef Collective Facebook group where we post job opportunities from our friends and network.
Will I be able to offer workshops and train others after taking your trainings?
This is a very individual question! If you have courage, passion and confidence, yes, please go ahead and share your gifts with the world! It is all about sharing and spreading the love! Our trainings will definitely help increase your passion and confidence!
Your Raw Chef Training looks similar to the Seeds of Life Training, what is the difference?
Sayuri is co-founder of The Seeds Of Life and co-creator of the original Seeds Of Life Raw Chef Training. She is, however not involved with The Seeds of Life project anymore and the trainings have developed since then. Sayuri likes to integrate Eastern philosophies such as Ayurveda and Chinese Tonic Herbalism into her teachings and focuses on World Cuisine recipes and the energetic aspects of food and eating.
What is the difference between your training and the PlantLab trainings?
Our raw chef trainings are more condensed, we share a similar curriculum in 2 weeks instead of four. We focus on world cuisine recipes, Eastern nutrition philosophies and we offer lectures on holistic, plant-based nutrition, Ayurveda, Chinese Tonic Herbs and Indonesian Jamu. We like to work in groups and inspire creativity and new connections. Our lead instructor, Ella, was an instructor for Matthew Kenney for many years and will happily answer any further questions about the trainings. Don’t hesitate to email her at education@sayurihealingfood.com.
What is the difference between your training and all the others on the market?
Trust your instincts! You will naturally be drawn towards the training that will benefit you at this particular time in your life. Don’t overthink things :)
Many of us have taken several trainings, just like many yoga teachers have taken different yoga teacher trainings. Elaina Love’s course is more about the cleansing raw life-style , less nuts, low glycemic index. PlantLab’s courses are more technical, more about individual plating & presentation, less nutrition (separate culinary nutrition course), less Eastern holistic perspective.
At Sayuri Healing Food we share our life-style, philosophy, and the most delicious recipes, accessible to everyone.
What is the difference between your 2-week Raw Chef Training and your 4-Day Intensive Course?
The 4-day Intensive is a demo-style class in a fun group of 10-20 like-minded people in which we share the basic foundations, techniques and recipes of our raw food lifestyle. In 8 x 2-hour classes we touch on raw kitchen equipment, ingredients, fermentation, dehydration, flavour balancing, raw chocolate… and many desserts!
The 2-week Raw Chef Training is a deep-dive into experiencing the raw vegan lifestyle and learning the practical skills and techniques in groups of 4 at your own equipped workstations. Students also hear talks on Western and Eastern nutrition and philosophy, and we go on field trips.
Both are truly life-changing, they simply depend on the time- and financial investment you are wanting to make at this time in your life
I have been raw-vegan for several years and am familiar with many techniques, will Level 1 be challenging enough for me?
We are very confident that all our trainings will provide great value, even for long-time raw food lifestyle practitioners and experienced chefs.
Are your courses for beginners or professionals?
All our level 1 courses are equally suitable for both. We very often have an inspiring mix of health professionals who are new to the culinary world and seasoned chefs who are new to the world of healthy, raw vegan food. We all learn from each other!
Raw Food kitchens are very different from commercial kitchens, not only with regards to the techniques and equipment, but also to philosophy and kitchen culture. If you are a beginner, we will explain raw vegan basics from the beginning. If you are a pro, you will take many new ideas, techniques, and a whole new worldview back home, promised!
Do I need any prior knowledge to attend your classes and trainings?
Unless stated in the course description, none of our classes or trainings require prior knowledge or experience in raw vegan food.
Do you recommend any books or videos I can read before attending your training?
First of all, we recommend you try eating a high-raw food diet for at least a little while before joining our trainings. Even if it is just adding more smoothies and big salads to your usual diet. It will make it easier to dive straight into our Ubud lifestyle! Personal experience is so valuable!
You can try these resources:
Videos/Movies:
YouTube search:
- “Raw Food”
- “Gabrielle Cousens”
- “David Wolfe”
- FoodMatters.com
Documentaries:
- Forks over Knives
- Earthlings
- Cowspiracy
- Dominion
and many more…
Books:
- David Wolfe”s “Superfoods”
- Gabrielle Cousens’ “Conscious Eating”
- “Secrets of an Alkaline Body” by Dr’s Annie & David Jubb.
- “Becoming Raw” by Brenda Davis
- “The China Study” by T. Colin Campbell
Do I need to bring a chef’s knife?
If you already have a favourite knife, we definitely recommend bringing it. It is much more fun working with good equipment you are familiar with. We have enough knives for you to borrow if you do not have one though, no worries.
Can you recommend a particular chef’s knife brand?
We like Global, Wüsthof, Shun, and Victorinox. We would recommend a 18-21 cm blade + a smaller pairing knife. Try them out in a shop first and buy something that feels right for your hand. Sayuri likes an 18 cm blade.
Which is the last day I can transfer the money? When is the latest I can book?
Until the course fills up. We confirm bookings in the order of payment/receipt.
Is there a maximum class size? Do I need to sign up early?
Our studio capacity is 16 for raw chef/desserts/chocolatier trainings. Some dates fill up very quickly, please check in with us before booking. The maximum capacity for 4-day intensives is 24, so no worries here!
How can I find accommodation in Ubud?
There are many options from the Four Seasons to cheap and cheerful homestays. We recommend looking on Booking.com as only you can know what standard you are looking for.
If you want to stay for longer and rent a house, you can check out following Facebook groups:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1523008504577896/
https://www.facebook.com/groups/ubud.rentals/
Can you recommend any guesthouses, hotels or home-stays nearby?
We can only pass on recommendations students have made:
In walking distance to Sayuri Healing Food Café and Academy and in budget price-range:
- Tebesaya Homestay
- Desak Putu Putera Hidden
- Bali Sila Tebesaya Apartment
- Pondok Kutuh Guest Houses
- Desak Putu Putera Cottages
- Do Re Mi Guesthouse
- Krishna House
The following are a little further away for those who ride a motorbike or are willing to take a
motorbike/taxi each day:
- Villa Mantra https://www.villamantrastudio.com/
- Runa Guesthouse http://www.booking.com/hotel/id/runa-guesthouse.html
- Pangkung House www.booking.com/Pangkung-House pangkungbali@yahoo.co.id
Mid-range:
- Rumahtaman villa www.rumahtamanubud.com
- Green field hotel www.greenfieldubud.com
A little more expensive:
- Villa Adyashanti: https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/14077283
- Villa Merdu (on Tirta Tawar street): https://www.villamerdubali.com
- Villa Gaia (Gaia Retreat Center): www.gaiaretreatcenter.com
- Wa Pa Di Ume: www.wapadiume.com
- Green Field Hotel: www.greenfieldubud.com
- Bamboo Villa: IG: bamboo.villa, Airbnb: https://abnb.me/ouMLMjE4kM, Email: bamboobali@ymail.com, Phone : +62 (0)89672843885
Where can I practice yoga in Ubud?
There are many studios! The two largest are Yoga Barn and Radiantly Alive with different yoga styles and classes. Usada and Seeds of Life offer Ashtanga Mysore practice every morning, as does Ashtanga Yoga Bali Research Center (15 mins bike ride outside of town).
Can I bring my baby?
Bali is very child-friendly! We can easily help you find a nanny. They cost around 70,000~100,000 IDR/hours. you are welcome to contact them directly.
Sri Sakde +62 819-3880-4076 (whatsup)
DwiYanti +62 82 236 177 395 (whatup)
We can also arrange them to come to meet you on the 1st day opening ceremony and you can discuss timing/price etc directly in person.
