If you’re visiting Romania and find yourself in Brașov, don’t miss the chance to discover a hidden gem for gourmet healthy desserts — Delicious Raw, founded by Gabriela Oltean.
Gabriela Oltean, founder of Delicious Raw, shares how she turned a bold vision into a successful business offering raw vegan desserts that combine health, flavor, and elegance.
Gabriela Oltean is a female entrepreneur who started out in a completely different field of business but found her true passion in bringing joy through the desserts she creates for children and people in general. Whether they suffer from lactose or gluten intolerance, follow a sugar-restricted diet, or simply want to make healthier choices, people keep coming back for the taste and the atmosphere they find at Delicious Raw.
C&B: What key moments defined your transition from passion to a successful business?
Gabriela Oltean: The first moment was when I met Ligia Pop, the one who first introduced the “raw vegan” concept to Romania around 2009. She gave me the confidence that I could do something truly meaningful in this field. She guided me toward the U.S. to study the foundations of the concept, and I thank her with deep gratitude whenever I get the chance. Another important moment came three years after opening the lab, when I decided to launch the pastry shop on Michael Weiss Street, in 2016.
C&B: What’s been the most difficult moment in your journey, and how did you overcome it?
Gabriela Oltean: Like for many others, the hardest moment was the 2020 pandemic. Empty streets, fear and tension everywhere, people seemingly forgetting how to live. That’s when I realized I needed to find another way to “keep the doors open,” as I used to say. I decided to start offering food deliveries — daily menus — especially as most people were now working from home. I continued doing that for two years, with huge personal effort, which led to burnout. I had to draw the line and set a clear intention: if the project was to continue, it would focus solely on desserts. And the universe helped me move forward exactly in that direction.
C&B: Was there a dream or ambition that always kept you going?
Gabriela Oltean: The dream that started it all — and that I still hold clear in my mind — is to show people that it’s possible to enjoy sweets that are sugar-free, gluten-free, and animal protein-free while also being healthy and visually stunning. I wanted to destroy the myth that healthy food has to taste bad or look plain. You can absolutely make healthy desserts that are gourmet in every sense.
C&B: How have you changed from when you first started to now?
Gabriela Oltean: At the beginning, I was bursting with optimism and wanted to turn everyone vegan. I truly believed that a plant-based, alkaline, gluten-free diet was the key to perfect health and happiness. Today, I still believe nutrition plays a key role in health, but the most important thing is learning to manage your emotions and to look at things you can’t control with calm detachment.
C&B: What would your team or collaborators say about you, if we asked them?
Gabriela Oltean: Honestly, I think you’d have to ask them yourselves.
C&B: What’s the most important decision you’ve made that changed your trajectory?
Gabriela Oltean: Switching from a background in wood engineering to becoming a raw vegan chef. Leaving behind a stable and comfortable job to dive headfirst into an entirely unknown world. These changes pulled me out of my comfort zone and allowed me to start discovering myself — something I’m extremely grateful for.
C&B: How did you develop your leadership style? Was it instinctive or learned?
Gabriela Oltean: I developed in a time when the word “leadership” wasn’t as commonly used as it is today. I graduated in the 1990s, during the early years of Romania’s so-called “capitalist” economy. So, my way of making decisions evolved over time — we were a generation that had to adapt and learn on the go.
C&B: What makes your business or your approach stand out in the industry?
Gabriela Oltean: At Delicious Raw, our products are handcrafted with passion and attention to both taste and aesthetics. Beyond being safe for people with various intolerances, they’re made with care and dedication. Our clients return, above all, for the flavor.
C&B: What does a regular day look like for you now, and what brings you the most joy?
Gabriela Oltean: On a regular day, you’ll find me in the lab — testing new recipes, working in production, or at the pastry shop where, at least once a week, I greet customers personally. The most fulfilling part of my day is reviewing it all in the evening and giving thanks for every situation and experience I’ve had.
C&B: What values guide you and how do you apply them daily?
Gabriela Oltean: To be an honest person, to respect others even if they hold different views, to be responsible and accountable, and to show compassion to those around me.
C&B: What message would you send to those who want to follow a path like yours?
Gabriela Oltean: Listen to your intuition and never give up on your dream.
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