At The Real Food Academy, we take pride in our amazing team of chefs, support staff, and culinary experts who are dedicated to bringing healthy, real food to our customers and classes. With a shared passion for creating delicious and nutritious meals, our team is committed to providing an exceptional culinary experience.
As the visionary behind the Real Food Academy, Arthur Cummins brings a unique blend of business acumen and a passion for wholesome living to the forefront. With a passion for nutrition and a wealth of business, sales, and marketing expertise, Arthur Cummins has been the driving force behind the company's remarkable success.
Guided by a deep commitment to health and well-being, Arthur Cummins has skillfully shaped the messaging and mission of the Real Food Academy. Their pioneering vision combines the art of cooking with an unwavering dedication to real, unprocessed foods. This innovative approach has not only set the academy apart but also resonated with a growing community seeking a healthier way of living.
Arthur Cummins' leadership has firmly established the Real Food Academy as a beacon of culinary education and mindful eating. Their dedication to fostering a connection between food and nourishment has touched countless lives and inspired a generation to embrace real, wholesome ingredients while steering clear of ultra-processed alternatives.
Through Arthur Cummins' tireless efforts, the Real Food Academy continues to empower individuals to make informed choices about what they eat and how they cook. Join Arthur Cummins on this extraordinary culinary journey towards a healthier, more delicious future.
Born in Venezuela, Maria Cummins discovered her deep-rooted passion for food from an early age. Her culinary journey led her to Lima, Peru, where she immersed herself in the rich secrets of Peruvian gastronomy during part of her childhood. In her early twenties, she embarked on a new chapter by coming to the United States and delving into the Hospitality Industry in Boston, Massachusetts.
Maria's culinary adventure continued as she relocated to San Diego, California, where she made her mark by opening the renowned El Tucan Restaurant. Her extensive travels and diverse experiences greatly influenced her innovative culinary style, shaping the unique approach she is celebrated for today.
During her time in San Diego, Chef Maria not only honed her culinary skills but also gained a profound understanding of the importance of nutrition, particularly through the use of organic and unprocessed ingredients.
Today, Maria Cummins is the proud owner, founder, and head chef of the Real Food Academy, a culinary haven nestled in the vibrant city of Miami. Here, both kids and adults come together every week to share the joy of connecting through the power of Real Food and Real Fun!
Food is my passion! I started out at 8yrs old cooking with my Italian Grandma. I have lived and traveled all over the world and always found myself cooking. Be it at the beach in the Cap Verde Islands or in Senegal on a wood fire on the ground or in India’s ashram making Chapati. I love food and people. I am fluent in English, French and Spanish making communication easy. I am a certified IIN health coach, raw food and pastry chef from the Living Light Culinary Institute and detox and functional nutrition coach from FxNA Functional Nutrition Alliance and Therapeutic Dietetics at Intstitut FP Sanitaria Roger de Lluria.
I was the owner of “Toni’s “ organic restaurant in Barcelona, Spain and have taught cooking classes since 2005 all over Europe and the USA. My motive is we are what we eat so fill it with healthy food, passion and make it with lots of love.
Hi! I’m Chef Isa! And I play different roles at The Academy. Sometimes you’ll see me cooking with kids and teaching the importance of eating Real Food or you can see me styling and photographing a beautiful dish for our social media!
Truth is I’ve always been passionate about food. From cooking with my abuelita as a little kid to having two different careers and making it into one.
I’m a Chef and Marketing graduate, with experience in different roles in the food industry. I strongly believe that as long as you do what you love and be at your natural best you’ll be inspiring only good things! That’s why I #inspirelovethroughfood.
At The Real Food Academy, we teach how to cook using real ingredients. We believe that all kinds of meals, snacks, and desserts should be enjoyed, and that what often makes certain foods feel “unhealthy” is the processed ingredients used to make them.
By using better oils, natural sweeteners, and thoughtfully sourced ingredients, our customers learn to make food that’s familiar, satisfying, and smarter for their bodies and lifestyles.
Because our staffing, ingredient purchases, and overall preparations are planned based on the number of registered participants, all payments and deposits are non-refundable.
The Real Food Academy offers in-house wine and beer options for adults at all events, including when accompanying kids’ parties. For a full selection, please visit our Wine and Beer list page.
The Real Food Academy can accommodate a wide range of dietary needs and allergies, including:
Please let us know your needs in advance so we can plan accordingly and adjust our recipes if needed.
We love when guests personalize and decorate our space. However, items like glitter, confetti, slime, stickers, and noisemakers can be very difficult to clean and may disrupt the experience.
For this reason, we kindly ask that you do not bring these items.
In every lesson, we will travel around the world and prepare traditional dishes utilizing healthy ingredients (the ones that are good for you!) We will be offering lessons on breakfast, brunch, lunch, snacks, and dinner preparation.
Organize your meal preparation ahead of time. This way you'll have more time to enjoy with family and friends and less time worrying about the actual cooking part of a meal.
Don't go hungry, just eat what’s right for you! You will not go hungry or suffer from energy depletion if you eat the right foods. We will teach you how to identify and choose the right ingredients, portions and how to combine different types of food for your benefit.
Master the art of professionals and cook anything the healthy way! For example, learning how to cut properly can make the difference between seeing kitchen work as a chore and a joy.
Learn the power of nutrient-rich herbs, spices, vegetables, low sugar fruits, non-processed meats and many more foods that are rich in antioxidants, resveratol, vitamins and minerals essential in healthy eating.
In every lesson, we will travel around the world and prepare traditional dishes utilizing healthy ingredients (the ones that are good for you!) We will be offering lessons on breakfast, brunch, lunch, snacks, and dinner preparation.
Organize your meal preparation ahead of time. This way you'll have more time to enjoy with family and friends and less time worrying about the actual cooking part of a meal.
Don't go hungry, just eat what’s right for you! You will not go hungry or suffer from energy depletion if you eat the right foods. We will teach you how to identify and choose the right ingredients, portions and how to combine different types of food for your benefit.
Master the art of professionals and cook anything the healthy way! For example, learning how to cut properly can make the difference between seeing kitchen work as a chore and a joy.
Learn the power of nutrient-rich herbs, spices, vegetables, low sugar fruits, non-processed meats and many more foods that are rich in antioxidants, resveratol, vitamins and minerals essential in healthy eating.
At our cooking school in Miami, Florida, we abide by a simple yet transformative mantra:
If a cooking school and functional medicine had a baby - it would be The Real Food Academy Miami. This philosophy empowers our aspiring chefs, both young and adult, to cook what they love while incorporating healthy, all-natural substitutes. The result? Meals that are not only better for them but also taste better, creating a harmonious blend of health and flavor.
At The Real Food Academy Miami, we take pride in crafting culinary experiences that are not only delectable but also safe for every palate. Our dedicated team understands the significance of dietary accommodations, and we go the extra mile to ensure that every participant can savor our creations without worry.
From gluten-free alternatives to nut-free options, we're well-versed in a wide range of allergies and dietary restrictions. Our kitchen is equipped with the latest tools and techniques to prevent cross-contamination, and our instructors are adept at adapting recipes to suit individual needs.
You can trust that at our academy, your safety and satisfaction are our top priorities. Join us for a flavorful journey where allergies are never a barrier to delicious dining!
The Real Food Academy is now offering a fun & family-friendly franchise opportunity. We are expanding and inviting franchisees to join us on our culinary journey! Follow us on Instagram and Learn how you can #inspirelovethroughfood!