The interactive cooking session and chef training workshop brought employees and refugee chefs together, fostering unity, understanding, and inclusion through food

Kuala Lumpur – Sodexo, a global leader in food services and facilities management, has partnered with local social enterprise PichaEats to organise two meaningful culinary experiences that united people through food and supported livelihood opportunities for refugee communities in Malaysia.

The collaboration, timed ahead of Malaysia’s Merdeka celebrations, reflected Sodexo’s commitment to fostering belonging and inclusion for marginalised communities while enhancing workplace experiences for its clients. It also resonated with this year’s national day theme “Malaysia Madani: Rakyat Disantuni” which embodies a national commitment to compassion, inclusivity, and collective progress for all.

As part of this initiative, Sodexo hosted two events:

• MasakChef at Haleon Malaysia – Thirty employees from Haleon Malaysia, a client of Sodexo, took part in MasakChef, an interactive workplace cooking session designed to encourage teamwork and cultural exchange. Led by PichaEats’ Chef Nusrat, a Pakistani chef from the refugee community, participants prepared Pani Puri, Samosas, and Chicken Kebab Wraps while learning about the heritage of each dish and Nusrat’s journey of resilience.
• Culinary Masterclass with Chef Jordi Noguera – Executive Chef at Sodexo Malaysia and Singapore conducted a hands-on training session for PichaEats chefs. The class explored Spanish comfort food dishes including Tortilla and Mushroom Croquetas, with chefs exchanging techniques and cultural insights.

“We see food as more than nourishment — it’s a bridge between cultures and a platform to foster inclusion. This collaboration is about creating meaningful interactions that benefit everyone. Employees discovered new cultures, chefs shared their skills and stories, and together we built understanding—values that reflect the Merdeka spirit,” said Paul Francis Chong, Operations Director Malaysia & Business Development Director Malaysia & Singapore.

Malaysia currently hosts over 200,000 refugees and asylum-seekers registered with UNHCR (as of May 2025)^[1]. Without access to formal employment or education, many face daily challenges in supporting their families. Founded in 2016, PichaEats empowers refugee chefs by creating sustainable catering and culinary opportunities that celebrate their heritage and talents.

“At PichaEats, our mission is to enable new beginnings for communities seeking refuge through the universal language of food,” said Kim Lim, CEO and Co-founder of PichaEats. “Working with Sodexo allowed us to bring these stories and flavours to new audiences, proving that diversity is a strength worth celebrating especially during Merdeka.” 

Perspectives from the event

“Haleon encourages diversity and inclusivity in the workplace. Initiatives like this strengthen that culture by bringing people of different backgrounds together. Partnering with organisations like Sodexo, who share these values, is the way forward not just for Haleon, but for all companies,” said Alfer Joshua F. Alfabete, Supply Chain Reporting & Analytics Lead, Haleon Malaysia.

“This collaboration gave me the confidence to step beyond being seen as a homemaker and to share my skills as a professional chef. Through food, I can introduce others to Pakistani culture, while also learning about their work and experiences. It’s a meaningful exchange for both sides,” said Chef Nusrat, who led the MasakChef session.

Syrian Chef Osama, who joined the Masterclass with Chef Jordi, shared: “Sessions like this help me grow as a chef and gain new experiences. It makes me feel more confident and motivated to keep improving”.

Both activities aligned with Sodexo’s ongoing efforts to engage with and support communities facing barriers to employment, living conditions, and education, helping to create opportunities that drive inclusion and social progress.

About Sodexo Group

About Sodexo 

Founded in Marseille in 1966 by Pierre Bellon, Sodexo is the global leader in sustainable food and valued experiences at every moment in life: learn, work, heal, and play. The Group stands out for its independence, its founding family shareholding, and its responsible business model. Thanks to its two activities of Food and Facilities Management Services, Sodexo meets all the challenges of everyday life with a dual goal: to improve the quality of life of our employees and those we serve, and contribute to the economic, social, and environmental progress in the communities where we operate. For Sodexo, growth and social commitment go hand in hand. Our purpose is to create a better everyday for everyone to build a better life for all. 

Sodexo is included in the CAC Next 20, Bloomberg France 40, CAC 40 ESG, CAC SBT 1.5, FTSE 4 Good, and DJSI indices.

Key Figures 

• 23.8 billion euros in Fiscal 2024 consolidated revenues • 423,000 employees as at August 31, 2024 • #1 France-based private employer worldwide

• 45 countries • 80 million consumers served daily • 11.2 billion euros in market capitalization (as at October 23, 2024)

About PichaEats

PichaEats is a Malaysian social enterprise founded in 2016 that empowers refugee families through food. By turning home-cooked meals into sustainable income opportunities, PichaEats has partnered with over 40 refugee chefs from Syria, Myanmar, Afghanistan, Palestine, Iraq, and Pakistan, served more than 1,000 clients, and channelled back over MYR 7 million to the community. Every meal shared is a step toward dignity, hope, and a brighter future.

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^[1] https://www.unhcr.org/my/what-we-do/figures-glance-malaysia