This Is IT: A Raw Vegan IT’S-IT

Recreating iconic favorites is how I’ve kept up with my raw veganism. Here’s my take on San Francisco’s classic ice cream sandwich!

I’m Dhillan, a 23-year-old self-taught chef from Fresno, CA who is passionate about recreating my favorite childhood foods with a raw vegan twist. Growing up in a Cambodian household, I have been a foodie for as long as I can remember. My grandma would create her famous Cambodian dishes for the family. It was watching her create food that inspired me in the kitchen, starting when I was just seven years old.

A few years ago, I started watching YouTube documentaries on veganism. In one night, my life changed forever, and I cut out all animal products out of my diet. Three years into veganism, I started to become passionate about the recipes I was creating. I fell in love with my journey of cooking vegan, knowing that I could cook for family and friends without any animals being harmed in the process. Vegan cooking made my body feel good and also my mind, which helped to improve my overall mental health.

I am a transgender male who suffered from eating disorders and body dysphoria for most of my life. It wasn’t until making the choice to become vegan that I discovered that my relationship with food could be healthy and…