Instructor Bios

Carla Cohen has enjoyed cooking and eating healthy for over 30 years. She is a passionate cook and has incredible enthusiasm for educating people on the benefits of eating clean, fresh organic food. She has been teaching cooking classes for the past 10 years. She grew up in a health-conscious household and has continued to increase her knowledge on the benefits of eating a variety of healthy diets (gluten-free, dairy-free, raw foods, and vegetarian).

Liza Docken, Certified Aromatherapist, is the National Educator for Pranarom. She has been in the Health and Wellness industry for over twenty years, working in independent health food stores, Co-ops, as a yoga instructor, and meditation guide. Her passion for plants naturally guides her to plant-based remedies, with a focus on organic and sustainable practices. She brings enthusiasm, joy, and fun to the learning experience. Coupled with unique insights spanning the industry, her approach to education is inclusive, expansive, and wholistic.

Matt Bennett is a Minnesota native and up-and-coming holistic health educator with a focus on detoxification and raw foods. He grew up with several common health issues, including asthma, eczema, constant colds and flus, congestion, and depression. After he implemented a raw vegan diet and lifestyle, all of these conditions virtually disappeared. Bennett now shares his passion of raw foods through his YouTube channel, Smallstepstosuccess and raw food classes in the Rochester area. Over the past three years, Bennett has earned certificates as a detoxification specialist through the International School of Detoxification and certified raw food chef and educator through the Graff Academy of Raw Food Education.

Renee Avelsgard has been bringing her passion for cooking to the Mazopiya kitchen for the past three years. She is a self-taught cook who loves exploring the possibilities of all things food. Renee loves teaching people how to find the joy in cooking. Not only does she enjoy extracting amazing flavors form the ingredients she uses, she loves to research the healing and nourishing properties of the dishes she prepares. Her goal in life is to educate people on the importance of good, clean, healthy food that is accessible to all regardless of their level of kitchen skills.

Cheryl Englebretson
As a personal chef and culinary nutrition expert, Cheryl helps people learn how to cook easy and nutritious whole food meals that the entire family will love. Having dealt with diabetes, Celiac disease, insulin resistance and many food sensitivities in her own family, she loves to help people who have to eat differently to find joy in cooking and eating. Whether you just want to eat healthier or you have been given a diagnosis that requires you to eat differently, she is here to help.

Robin Asbell
Chef Asbell is the author of 11 cookbooks and hundreds of articles, focusing on plant-forward, global foods. Her books, including Big Vegan; Over 350 Recipes, No Meat No Dairy All Delicious, Juice It! And The New Whole Grains Cookbook are in thousands of kitchens. She has written for Experience Life Magazine, Fine Cooking, Better Homes and Gardens, Real Food Magazine, Clean Eating Magazine, VegNews, Vegetarian Times, Mother Earth News, and other print media, and online for simplyrecipes.com, southernliving.com, strongertogether.coop, myfitnesspal.com and others.

Anita Bastian. Brain Health & Detox Specialist
Through her personal health journey and training, Anita has developed a deep appreciation for cellular detox techniques. She loves to help people learn how they can obtain more optimal brain and digestive function by removing the toxins that have accumulated in their cells and tissues. As a former teacher, Anita is excited to share the powerful detox tips and tricks she has learned with those who want to reclaim and maximize their health.