Tara Punzone’s culinary journey is a testament to passion and innovation. From her roots in New York City to her bombastic presence in Los Angeles, the Brooklyn native has carved a unique path as the chef-owner of Pura Vita—the first entirely vegan Italian restaurant and wine bar in the country.

Her dedication to a plant-based lifestyle, which began at the age of 12, has been the driving force behind her mission to serve up classic flavors of her childhood through a vegan lens. Her restaurants in West Hollywood and Redondo Beach, CA, are more than dining establishments; they’re where traditional Southern Italian flavors meet sustainable, organic, plant-based ingredients.