Raw Foods Flagship opens Saturday
105degrees Cafe, 5820 Classen Blvd., opens at 5 p.m. Saturday.
Raw foodists and fine dining enthusiasts unite for the most unique upscale concept in the state.
105degrees Cafe opens for dinner only on Saturday and Sunday before opening its doors for breakfast and lunch, too, on Monday.
105degrees Café, 5820 N. Classen Blvd. opens at 5 p.m. The café will be open 7-days-a-week: Monday – Thursday, 7 a.m. – 10 p.m.; Friday, 7 a.m. – 11 p.m.; Saturday, 9 a.m. – 11 p.m.; and Sunday 9 a.m. – 9 p.m.
Chef Matthew Kenney, who is a renowned raw foods innovators, said Oklahoma was the ideal place to introduce the 105degrees concept because of its central location in the U.S. and the strength of the growing community interested in sustainable living.
Tamales anyone?
“When Dara Prentice [105degrees director of business and external affairs] approached me with the concept of opening a progressive raw foods establishment in Oklahoma City, I was immediately drawn to the idea and knew it could be very successful,” Kenney said. “The community has been extremely supportive and we’re pleased to have the opportunity to offer Oklahomans the very best in living cuisine.”
The raw foods diet consists primarily of raw, minimally processed fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, sprouted grains and legumes. Menus are custom designed each season based on the availability of fresh produce purchased from local growers.
The fall dinner menu features items including: shitake dumplings, red sweet pepper wrappers, golden beat ravioli, Portobello mushroom piccata, heirloom tomato lasagna, and a variety of fresh soups, sides and a dessert menu that includes house-made non-dairy ice creams, cannoli, baklava and a malted chocolate tart.
A variety of smoothies and juices are available at the bar, as well as an assortment of fresh sake-based cocktails and biodynamic wines.
Raw foods contain live enzymes that aid in digestion, which activate as they are consumed. Heating foods to temperatures beyond 118°F causes those enzymes to begin to die, destroys nutrients and vitamins, and alters the natural metabolic structure of the food. The optimal temperature for preparing raw foods is 105°F.
“People who adhere to a raw foods diet report feeling happier, sexier, more vibrant and energetic,” Prentice said.
The 105degrees Academy welcomed its first class of students on Sept. 8. The academy offers state-licensed chef certification courses for those who currently work or aspire to work in an upscale restaurant or culinary environment as well as community classes for those interested in learning culinary techniques that allow them to enjoy the flavor and health benefits of raw foods in their own kitchen.
And, as always, let me know what you think about it. I’ll post a review on Monday.
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Comments
Hi Sharon. Since I am not a raw foods expert, I posed your question to Ladan Raissi, 105degrees Academy Director. She said:
Great question! There are a few methods we use to warm our raw soups. Liquids can be “heated” slightly in a blender by processing it on a very high speed for a few minutes. Dehydrators are also used to warm soups. If you come to 105degrees, I recommend you try our Bahian tomato coconut soup, absolutely delicious. Hope this helps.
I’m curious… how do they make “soup” and never cook over 105 degrees? Are these actually more of a chilled soup product, maybe a vegetable blend with spices that is served room temperature? The article was not quite informative enough, some more specific examples would be more likely to entice those of us not as familiar with raw cuisine (compared to just eating plain ol’ raw veggies).
Thanks!
Sharon