You've surely tried Roo'bar—or at least heard of these incredibly tasty and healthy snack bars. Two exciting and successful workshops for aspiring dessert makers have already taken place at the Art of Living Happiness Centers, sparking great interest and plenty of positive emotions among kids and parents alike.
Anita Klisanova, the founder of the Bulgarian brand, shares more about the vibe of the workshops and Roo'bar's future goals.
Hi Anita! Tell us, how did the idea for Roo'bar come about?
I started making bars about four years ago, driven by the desire to create a dessert without tons of white sugar or a load of eggs—something that gives you lasting energy and, most importantly, leaves you feeling good without guilt, even if you’ve had a few too many ;-) I dove into the kitchen, read blogs, experimented a lot, and eventually came up with an alternative dessert—vegan, gluten-free, energy-packed, and, above all, super tasty! And when something’s delicious, it's much easier to get people excited about an idea, right?
At that time, my husband Kalin and I already had a bio store, "My Organic Market," and in 2013, we added a cookie bakery called "Kurabiynitsa," where my recipes and raw desserts met their first fans.
What are the workshops like?
They're fun! Everyone can create their own recipe for a bar, truffle, or other raw dessert. We provide a variety of certified organic dried fruits, superfoods (like goji berries, raw cacao, chia seeds, spirulina, and more), raw nuts and nut butters, spices—the same ingredients we use to make Roo’bars. Of course, we also give tips on which superfoods pair best with which spices, with the help of our cheerful RooTeam on-site. It’s a time for creativity and inspiration. These moments take me back to when I started organizing small, impromptu workshops—at home with friends, while on vacation, in hotel courtyards, at birthday parties. We'd make bars and cookies together. The joy of creating your own food is priceless.
Why do you think there’s so much interest in these workshops? Who wouldn't want to tap into that magic and create their own unique Roo’bar?
It’s true—we live in a time when unhealthy food is extremely accessible. But here in Bulgaria, we have a strong, health-conscious community. I travel a lot and I can honestly say—we’re steps ahead. We value whole foods, diversity in ingredients, homemade meals, and homegrown produce. Realistically, it's only our parents’ generation that missed out on growing their own food—our grandparents did it as a way of life. And now we’re returning to that—whether it’s in a garden, on a balcony, or a little urban space where you plant your own tomatoes or herbs.
I haven’t been to another country where you can stop at a gas station and find something vegan and organic. There are many people with specific dietary needs, and now they have a healthy option even on the go.
I see a lot of children in the photos—how do they experience the workshops?
Oh, the kids are amazing at the workshops! Their creations are wild—some look like spaceships with goji berries sticking out of them. Their imagination and superpowers are firing on all cylinders.
Kids are the key to entering the “kitchens” of many families and sharing the idea that we can make our own food. We all know kids love playing with modeling clay—and when they get to mix dried fruits, raw nuts, and superfoods, “cooking” becomes playtime.
What’s next for Roo’bar?
More workshops! I want to bring this into schools. Of course, it’s easier in private schools, but I hope we can reach all children. I also want us to start making donations with the funds from the workshops—donating them to children in orphanages. We’ve got a big year ahead. Yes, Roo’bar is available everywhere and anyone can buy it, but inspiring people to make their own food—that’s a much more meaningful cause.
