Karyn Calabrese
Karyn Calabrese | |
|---|---|
| Born | April 20, 1947 Chicago, Illinois, U.S. |
| Occupation(s) | Raw food advocate, restaurateur, entrepreneur, author |
| Known for | Advocate of raw foodism; founder of Karyn's Raw Bistro |
| Notable work | Cleansing With Karyn: Secrets for Inner Healing and Outer Beauty (2011); Karyn's Conscious Comfort Foods: Recipes for Everyday Life (2013) |
Karyn Calabrese (born April 20, 1947) is a prominent American advocate of raw foodism and an entrepreneur in the restaurant industry. Her inaugural establishment, Karyn's Raw Bistro, holds the distinction of being the longest-operating gourmet raw food eatery in the United States.
Early life
Raised in Hyde Park, a neighborhood on Chicago's South Side, Calabrese spent her youth in this vibrant community. During her teenage years and into her twenties, she pursued a career as a professional model, featuring in national magazines and television advertisements.
Career
Calabrese adopted raw foodism based on the conviction that consuming uncooked foods enhances overall health. In the early 1980s, she facilitated a support group from her residence and gradually shifted her focus from modeling to culinary arts and consulting within raw and vegan lifestyle circles.
She established a portfolio of ventures including three dining venues (Karyn's Raw Bistro, Karyn's Cooked, and Karyn's On Green), a retail outlet (Karyn's Fresh Corner), a meal delivery service (Karyn's At Home), and a holistic wellness center (Karyn's Inner Beauty Center and O2 Day Spa). Additionally, she developed a branded line of food products, authored a cookbook and a cleansing guide, and launched natural makeup and skincare lines. Calabrese also leads educational workshops centered on raw food nutrition, holistic healing practices, and sustainable longevity.
Starting in 2012, financial difficulties emerged following a fire at her Lincoln Park location, accompanied by declining patronage at other sites. Between 2015 and 2016, she encountered four legal actions related to noncompliance with accessibility regulations, unpaid lease obligations, and condominium fees. A crowdfunding initiative intended to support her business drew allegations of fraudulent activity and concerns over hygiene standards.
In 2017, her primary restaurant in Lincoln Park ceased operations permanently.
Restaurants
Calabrese operates three dining establishments within Chicago:[1]
Karyn's On Green
In the 2014 Zagat Survey, Karyn's On Green was recognized as Chicago’s highest-rated vegan restaurant and noted as the most formal among her venues.[2] Situated in Chicago’s West Loop district, this restaurant closed its doors in 2015.[3]
Karyn's Raw Bistro
Karyn's Raw Bistro is recognized as the United States’ longest-running gourmet raw food restaurant.
Adjacent to the bistro are Karyn's Fresh Corner—a market specializing in raw and organic products—and Karyn’s Inner Beauty Center along with O2 Day Spa, which offer holistic therapies. This flagship bistro is located in Chicago’s Lincoln Park neighborhood.
Published works
- Cleansing With Karyn: Secrets for Inner Healing and Outer Beauty (2011)
- Karyn's Conscious Comfort Foods: Recipes for Everyday Life (2013)
Awards and recognition
In 2013, Calabrese earned first place in the 60+ division of Harper's Bazaar’s Fabulous at Every Age contest.[4][5]
External links
- ↑ Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; no text was provided for refs namedTrib - ↑ "Karyn's On Green- Chicago". Zagat.com. Zagat Survey. Retrieved February 20, 2014.
- ↑ Selvam, Ashok (14 September 2020). "Vegan Queen Karyn Calabrese Returns With Virtual Restaurant". Eater Chicago. Retrieved 23 February 2021.
- ↑ "Karyn Calabrese Named 'Fabulous At Every Age'". Natural Awakenings. Jan 2014. Retrieved February 23, 2014.
- ↑ "Meet the Fabulous At Every Age Finalists". Harper's Bazaar. 2013. Retrieved February 23, 2014.
- 1947 births
- Living people
- 20th-century African-American individuals
- 20th-century African-American females
- 21st-century African-American individuals
- 21st-century African-American females
- African-American entrepreneurs
- Alternative detox advocates
- American female chefs
- American cosmetics entrepreneurs
- American female restaurateurs
- American restaurateurs
- American vegan advocates
- Life extension proponents
- Raw food enthusiasts
- Vegan cookbook authors
- American cookbook authors
- American female food writers
- 20th-century American business figures
- 21st-century American business figures
- 21st-century American female writers
- 20th-century American businesswomen
- 21st-century American businesswomen
- American cosmetics businesspeople