An Evening with Pura Vita's Tara Punzone

An evening of conversation and culinary inspiration brings chef Tara Punzone to Books & Books in Coral Gables to discuss her debut cookbook Vegana Italiana, joined by Miami’s own Ellen Kanner.

An Evening with Pura Vita’s Tara Punzone and Ellen Kanner takes place Thursday, December 4. Punzone, founder of Pura Vita, the first fully plant-based Italian restaurant in the United States, shares more than 100 vegan recipes that reimagine traditional Italian dishes. Highlights include ravioli pomodoro, meatball parmigiano heroes, macadamia parmigiano, tiramisu and heartbeet risotto. The book also offers tips on creating vegan versions of Italian essentials like mozzarella and ricotta, alongside family stories that shaped Punzone’s approach to food. Admission is free, with books available for purchase at the event.

Tara Punzone is an Italian American chef from New York who has followed a vegan lifestyle for more than three decades. In 2018 she opened Pura Vita in West Hollywood, later expanding the concept, and has since been recognized with national honors including “Chef of the Year” by VegOut Magazine.

Ellen Kanner is a Miami-based author, chef and advocate whose work explores food as cultural connection. Her book Feeding the Hungry Ghost blends memoir with plant-based recipes, and her forthcoming Miami Vegan reflects the city’s diverse culinary influences.