The Panamanian-born celebrity raw food pioneer, culinary innovator, and health and wellness influencer, Dr. Aris LaTham has been labelled the “father of gourmet ethical raw foods cuisine in America”.
Dr Aris is one of the star attractions at The Good Life Show in Cape Town from 30 May to 1 June at the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC) and in Johannesburg from 1 to 3 August at the Kyalami International Convention Centre.’
Dr. Aris will demonstrate his ethical and gourmet raw “sun-cooked” food cuisine and his signature sweet and savoury Paradise pies, among many other refreshingly different and surprising delights.
- Believing in the power of fresh, living foods to nourish the body, Dr Aris is true to his mantra: “My body is my home. This temple comes first before anything else”.
As a celebrated pioneer of gourmet-ethical raw foods cuisine, Dr. Aris, at 77, evokes the very essence of health and vitality. He has amassed a fan base of over a million hungry health seekers across the globe, who are looking for more life in their food based on his clarion call of “it is not the food in your life but the life in your food that nourishes”. As the inventor of a world class cuisine, Sunfired raw foods, this self-taught innovator has cultivated a vast knowledge by studying in his personal library of over 15,000 books and covering the A to Z of everything across countless recipes of major culinary cuisines. He has been featured in many hit TV shows, magazines, encyclopedias, podcasts and other media, and developed a fusion of global culinary favourites with his raw food Sunfired version. He is also the founder of the Sunfired Culinary Institute and Sunfired Foods, where he has trained thousands of raw food chefs.
Get ready for a lively, inspiring experience as he shares his secrets to self-healing the body and restoring body ecology through a new way of living and eating.
At The Good Life Show, Dr. Aris will be a keynote speaker, presenting demonstrations and hosting an engaging Masterclass where he will teach visitors to prepare dishes such as his traditional curry plantain and a luscious green life salad with cashew cheese. He will also team up with a renowned South African chef for an exciting collaboration, and visitors to the show can also visit his eatery stand to taste his creations, purchase his products, and interact with him while he’s there. They will also have the chance to savour his signature dishes, including the renowned ‘Fun Burger’ and ‘Pizza Please,’ both of which deliver rich cultural flavours without the health concerns typically associated with processed, starchy options.
This will be Dr. Aris’s first visit to South Africa, and when asked about his trip, he said: “I already feel an instant connection to South Africa’s wellness scene, and I am particularly interested in the agricultural richness of the soil, and all ingredients and spices that the country has to offer. I believe more and more chefs are embracing plant-based cooking and I hope to encourage more South African chefs to ‘break the boundaries’ and explore the exciting world of raw cuisine. I hope to share a message that connects people to the power of fresh, living foods because these foods enhance our vitality and help us live our best lives. I’m excited about seeing and sharing the abundance of fresh foods that has been available to me at outlets in the US, imported from South Africa. I look forward to seeing the depth of South African healthy cuisine that will be showcased by all the exhibitors.”
About Dr Aris
Dr. Aris’ journey into the world of raw foods is deeply rooted in his Afro Caribbean heritage. Growing up in the rainforests of Panama, he was surrounded by an abundance of nature, with early exposure to fresh fruits and vegetables shaping his lifelong passion for healthy eating. Having spent decades teaching chefs and enthusiasts alike about the benefits of raw food, his culinary workshops have made waves across the globe, from the European Vegetarian Congress in Italy to the World Veg Fest in India. While his culinary workshops, and personal health journey have inspired countless individuals to embrace a plant-based lifestyle over the years, his signature dishes have earned him standing ovations at global food events.
When asked some rapid-fire cookery questions, Dr. Aris had this to share:
Are there any ingredients that you believe are stand-out flavours?
My stand-out flavours are the spices of life – exciting, fresh ground cardamom, allspice, ginger, turmeric and any hot, spicy, aromatic, savoury herbs grown on mineral rich soil.
Are there any hero foods that you couldn’t live without – or what food would you find the most indispensable in your cookery?
In terms of universal appeal – Tomato, avocado and mango!
What’s your favourite type of seasoning?
Mixed ethnic spice blends – Thai, Jerk spice, New Orleans Cajun, Indian, Mediterranean, Cape Malay Curry, Italian, Ethiopian Berbere.
For some Sunfired inspiration, try this tempting recipe from Dr. Aris.
Mango Berry Paradise Pie
Sunfired Classic Pie Crust
- 1½ cup almonds, soaked.
- 1½ cup walnuts, soaked.
- ½ cup dates, pitted.
- 1 tsp cinnamon.
Directions
- Soak walnuts and almonds in water in separate containers for 12 hours. Drain, rinse.
- Grind almonds in food processor with the s/blade separately to a fine texture.
- Place in a bowl.
- Grind walnuts in food processor with the s/blade separately to a fine consistency.
- Combine with almonds in the bowl and mix.
- Chop dates and add to food processor with cinnamon, grind to a smooth texture.
- Remove from processor, add to bowl with almonds and mix well.
- Coat 9-inch glass pie dish with olive oil.
- Place dough into pie shell dish and press evenly with fingers.
- Dehydrate for 8 hours at 48 degrees C/ Alternately place in oven on lower shelf at 135 degrees C for 15 minutes
Sunfired Classic Filling
- 2 large ripe mangoes (1kg)
- 1 cup gooseberries (125g)
- ½ cup dates
- Garnish: 7 raspberries, 1 cup of blueberries, 7 goose berries & 1 starfruit
Directions
- Place dates and blueberries in food processor with “S” blade and process to a smooth consistency.
- Peel mangoes, cut away mango from seed in 2 whole halves, cut mango halves crossway into 0.4cm slices and place in pie crust. Layer mango slices in and fan in a closed circle spiral to form a bottom layer, spread half of jam evenly on this layer over mangoes
- Make a top layer with remaining mango slices and jam.
- Garnish with starfruit, blueberries, gooseberry & raspberry.
About the Good Life Show
This highly anticipated event will once again celebrate the evolving plant-based, natural, and organic industries. With the wellness sector experiencing consistent global growth, the Good Life Show continues to support small businesses in these rapidly expanding markets. Notably, the plant-based market is expected to grow by an impressive $13 billion by 2026.
Get ready for bags of fresh and fun-filled experiences at the 2025 Good Life Show. Now in its 5th year, SA’s #1 food, drink and conscious living event and largest event of its kind in Southern Africa is back with even more exciting high quality and innovative products, experiences and surprising content.
Whether you are sourcing delicious and exciting food and beverages, new wellness products, or discovering eco-friendly and conscious living ideas, The Good Life Show has something for everyone. There will be innovative products to try, chef demos, mixology sessions, hands-on Masterclasses, expert wellness advice, insightful industry talks and activities that will leave you feeling not only inspired, but motivated and empowered. Join us for the most unique culinary, health, wellness, and sustainability event of the year.
Visitors can meet some big name local and international chefs and discover products and services in an entertaining, engaging and informative way.
Aimed at anyone with an interest in food, health, wellness, the environment or more conscious living as well as trade professionals (retail and foodservice) looking for innovative high-quality products, The Good Life Show will feature thousands of high-quality and innovative food, drink and conscious living brands and products available in South Africa right now.
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Tickets for The Good Life Show are available from Quicket at R175. 🔗 Book Tickets | Cape Town: https://qkt.io/TheGoodLifeShow-CapeTown 🔗 Book Tickets | Joburg: https://qkt.io/TheGoodLifeShow-Joburg |
