Faculty

Cherie Soria

DIRECTOR & FACULTY

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Cherie Soria is founder and director of Living Light Culinary Institute, and has been teaching gourmet raw vegan cuisine since 1998, and vegetarian culinary arts for more than 40 years. She is the author of several books, including the classic Angel Foods: Healthy Recipes for Heavenly Bodies and The Raw Food Revolution Diet: Feast, Lose Weight, Gain Energy, Feel Younger (co-authored with Brenda Davis, RD and Vesanto Melina, MS, RD.)

Students have come to study at Living Light Culinary Institute from more than 50 countries and six continents around the world, and Cherie has earned the respectful title of “Mother of Gourmet Raw Vegan Cuisine.” She is a beautiful role model for her students, who admire her business skills and appreciate her gentle feminine energy and compassionate nature. Living Light Culinary Institute is renowned for its professional curriculum, experienced staff, supportive atmosphere, and the remarkable success stories of its graduates. Cherie’s goal has always been to spread the benefits of gourmet raw vegan cuisine around the globe by training teachers and chefs to inspire others.

Cherie and her husband Dan Ladermann are animal lovers, and have two adopted dogs, Winky and Rudi. She also has three black belts in karate, and loves to practice her skills!

Dan Ladermann

CO-DIRECTOR & FACULTY

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Dan Ladermann is codirector of Living Light Culinary Institute and president of the Institute for Vibrant Living, which produces educational events worldwide that promote health and well-being. Dan is a Certified Hippocrates Health Educator and a graduate of Anthony Robbins' Mastery University.

Dan says, "I enjoy assisting people in their transformation and teaching them how to create lives of health, joy, and abundance. Most people have never experienced the kind of loving support and encouragement they receive at our Living Light trainings. Watching them blossom and become empowered with the tools we provide brings me great joy."

Martine Lussier

MANAGER, CULINARY PROGRAMS MANAGER

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Martine Lussier is a former registered nurse and transplanted Canadian who has reinvented herself as one of the premier chefs and educators teaching raw food cuisine and nutrition. As Culinary Programs Manager at Living Light Culinary Institute, Martine trains instructors and manages all aspects of the teaching curriculum for the school. She holds a B.A. in Culinary Arts and is a graduate of the Raw Culinary Arts Professional Chef Certification Program™ at Living Light. She is also certified as a nutrition educator in the Science of Raw Food Nutrition™. An inspiring teacher, Martine is passionate about the raw food lifestyle and loves sharing the art of gourmet raw vegan cuisine with others.

Jenny Cornbleet

FACULTY

www.learnrawfood.com

Jennifer Cornbleet is a nationally recognized raw food chef, instructor, and author of Raw Food Made Easy for 1 or 2 People and Raw for Dessert. A certified chef/instructor with Living Light, Jenny has been a member of the Living Light faculty for over a decade and has been instrumental in developing instructor empowerment kits for Living Light graduates. She is known as a master teacher of teachers.

Vinnette Thompson

FACULTY

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A classically trained chef, Vinnette earned her culinary arts degree from the Culinary Institute of America and is also a graduate of the Living Light Culinary Institute, where she now teaches a variety of classes. Vinnette has two culinary passions, vegetarian cuisine and culinary education. A chef for over 25 years, she is currently Executive Chef of the Raw Food Underground and teaches culinary arts for the Palm Beach school district in Florida.

Rosalie Robertson

FACULTY

Roe Robertson has gone from “copper” to “chopper”. As a former police officer, her mission has long been to serve her community. Now, as a certified Associate Chef and Instructor at Living Light Culinary Institute, Roe continues her devotion to service by educating and inspiring people to spread knowledge about raw living foods. Roe grew up in the kitchen helping her mother, a chef, cater to movie stars and she’s still passionate about food. Her enthusiasm, knowledge, and sense of humor make learning fun. Roe’s motto is “Eating healthy is simply a choice—choose wisely.”

Gina Hudson

FACULTY

Gina Hudson is a certified gourmet raw food chef, raw pastry chef, and advanced instructor with a commitment to helping others improve their quality of life. A former massage therapist, personal trainer, and raw food coach, Gina understands the profound effect food has on each individual’s mind, body, and spirit. Her lifelong search for optimal health has led her to gourmet raw vegan cuisine, and as an instructor at Living Light, she has the opportunity to share this amazing information with people from all over the world and all walks of life in a way that can change their lives forever.

Meagan Ricks

FACULTY

Meagan Ricks is a bright, talented member of the Living Light teaching staff, accomplished in both gourmet raw vegan cuisine and pastry arts. A fine teacher who puts love into everything she touches, Meagan enjoys helpiing people create healthy lives through raw food education and artistry.

Terilynn Epperson

FACULTY

Terilynn Epperson is a certified gourmet raw food chef and instructor. Her enthusiasm for the raw foods lifestyle has led her to move her family to Fort Bragg as Executive Assistant to Cherie Soria. Terilynn also produces promotional videos and teaches specialty classes during both the Associate Chef and Instructor Training and Raw Event Catering and Elegant Entertaining courses at Living Light.

Rick Dina, DC

FACULTY

Dr. Rick Dina, D.C. became interested in nutrition in 1986 and has been studying and practicing raw plant-based nutrition since 1987. He worked at Hippocrates Health Institute and for the Juiceman before entering Life Chiropractic College in 1993. After graduating in 1997, he practiced at True North Health Center from 1997 until 2001, helping patients recover from high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, autoimmune diseases and other nutritionally related health challenges with fasting and whole food plant based nutrition. After teaching at Bastyr University, Dr. Rick maintained a private chiropractic and nutrition practice from 2003 until 2008 in San Rafael, CA. He is the co-creator and instructor of the Science of Raw Food Nutrition series of classes at the Living Light Culinary Institute with his wife, Dr. Karin Dina, D.C.

Karin Coleman Dina, DC

FACULTY

Dr. Karin Dina, D.C. became interested in nutrition in 1988 and has been studying and practicing raw food nutrition since 1990. She is a doctor of chiropractic with an honors educational background in both naturopathic medicine from Bastyr University and biology. She maintained a private practice in chiropractic and nutrition consulting and is the co-creator and instructor of the Science of Raw Food Nutrition series of classes at the Living Light Culinary Institute with her husband, Dr. Rick Dina, D.C.

Barbara Howard

DEMO COORDINATOR

Barbara Howard, our school demo coordinator, is a certified associate chef and instructor who is constantly adding to her knowledge of raw cuisine and nutrition. She is certified in Pastry Arts—Unbaked! and is also an Advanced Raw Food Nutrition Educator, as well as an avid Petanque player. Barbara is a valuable teacher and member of our culinary team, who supports our students in their education every step of the way.

Gabrielle Addison

ASSISTANT DEMO COORDINATOR

Gabrielle was born in Berkeley, CA, and has been living in Fort Bragg since she was eight years old. She was intrigued by the concept of the raw food lifestyle and began working at Living Light Café. Inspired by the relationship of food to health, she graduated from Living Light as an Associate Chef and Instructor and is now Assistant Demo Coordinator for the school. She loves to share what she has learned by helping others improve their lives and health. She is excited about working at Living Light and wants to continue to learn more about raw foods. Gabrielle loves Mexican food, movies, and dancing.