WORLDCHEFS – WITHOUT BORDERS
A Decade of Action with World Chefs Without Borders
Reflections from Willment Leong at the close of his 11-year service as Chairman.
Since August 2013, World Chefs Without Borders has been actively involved in various chef social responsibility (CSR) initiatives worldwide, completing a total of 100 projects in 40 cities across 27 countries. Our CSR endeavors include hosting workshops for both aspiring and professional chefs, encouraging them to extend a helping hand whenever opportunities arise to assist those in need. As chefs, we are committed to ensuring that no one experiences hunger. Beyond motivational activities, WCWB has played a significant role in organizing charity events in different cities through our extensive global network of national chef associations to raise funds and support individuals affected by natural disasters. For example, in 2014, WCWB donated 500 roof kits to Cebu, Philippines, which had been ravaged by Typhoon Yolanda. That same year, we provided flood relief funding for Serbia and Croatia. In 2015, we raised 15,400 New Zealand Dollars to assist Vanuatu following Cyclone Pam. Following a devastating earthquake in Nepal that claimed thousands of lives, WCWB swiftly mobilized its resources to raise 30,000 euros to aid in the 44
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country’s rebuilding efforts. In the years that followed, WCWB continued to actively support nations affected by natural disasters, including the 2016 Ecuador earthquake, Hurricane Matthew in Haiti, and relief efforts in response to cyclones in Fiji. In 2018, we contributed to tsunami relief efforts in Palu, Sulawesi, Indonesia, and in 2023, we provided assistance to regions in Syria and Turkey affected by earthquakes, as well as flood relief in Italy. We express our deep appreciation to Chef Roberto Rosati of Italy for founding the Department of Solidarity Emergence Italy in 2016 and consistently aiding those in need to this day. He serves as an exceptional role model, not only as a talented chef but also as a compassionate human being for us to emulate. In addition to fundraising for disaster relief, WCWB also organizes various CSR events involving volunteer chefs, creating impactful initiatives to assist those in need. Examples include providing 14,000 meals and relief packs in Myanmar, participating in fundraising activities in America, constructing kitchens and libraries for schools in Vietnam, and preparing 650,000 meals over 7 months for refugees along the borders of Greece led by Chef Christos Gkotsis.