World Chefs Without Borders, Worldchefs’ humanitarian arm, has successfully raised funds to go directly to supporting Myanmar relief efforts, providing aid and assistance since the devastating earthquakes last month.

• World Chefs Without Borders (WCWB), with the support of Worldchefs members, raised over €105,000 to support earthquake relief efforts in Myanmar.
• Chefs on the ground, led by the Myanmar Chefs Association, provided thousands of meals and distributed emergency supplies across the hardest-hit regions.
• Sustainable, locally-sourced emergency food solutions were developed to support long-term recovery and local economies.

When a series of powerful earthquakes struck Myanmar at the end of March, the devastation was immediate and widespread. Homes were destroyed, communities displaced, and access to food, clean water, and medical care severely impacted. In the face of this crisis, Worldchefs and our humanitarian arm, World Chefs Without Borders (WCWB), responded without hesitation.

From the earliest moments of the disaster, our global chef community united to deliver support where it was needed most. Through coordinated fundraising efforts, generous donors, and on-the-ground action, we have collectively raised a total of €105,000 in aid – a testament to the power of culinary solidarity.

Chefs on the frontlines: Providing meals, aid, and hope

While funds were mobilized globally, members of our community were on the ground across Myanmar. The Myanmar Chefs Association (MCA), in close coordination with WCWB, has been actively leading relief operations in the earthquake’s hardest-hit regions.

MCA Secretary Ma Khet Khet and local WCWB chefs traveled to the epicenter in Sagaing, where they prepared and served thousands of meals to displaced families. Chefs stayed overnight in the region, ensuring continuous support and laying the groundwork for incoming humanitarian missions.

The next phase of aid brought food, medical supplies, clean drinking water, and shelter back through Nay Pyi Taw to Sagaing, Amarapura, Mandalay, Plate, and Inwa.

Key partners supporting the mission include Mr. Suki of Inya Lake Hotel, Moona, and Renato of Chaîne des Rôtisseurs, who helped organize the next wave of aid trucks and buses.

Thanks to international allies, including South Korea, MCA was able to access a water purification system. Tents for displaced families were also made available. Aid continued to arrive, including air cargo containing rice, tinned fish, and medical supplies.

The South African Chefs Association assisted in these efforts, collecting donations during their Lunch with a Cause event.

China Cuisine Association also made major contributions. In addition to the groundwork, they collected donations, raising approximately 43,000 euros to directly support relief efforts.

Local, sustainable, impactful

Worldchefs’ members have also stepped in to address long-term health through emergency food. They developed a high-calorie, vegetarian curry designed for local rice, using ingredients sourced entirely from the earthquake-affected region. The result: nutritious, culturally appropriate meals with a minimal CO2 footprint, supporting the people, the local economy, and environmental sustainability.

“Thank you to all donors for Myanmar people – Thank you for all global aid support.”
– Chef Oliver, President of the Myanmar Chefs Association

About Worldchefs

The World Association of Chefs’ Societies, known as Worldchefs, is a federation made up of 110 national chef associations. A leading voice in the hospitality industry, Worldchefs carries years of history since its founding in 1928 at the Sorbonne by the venerable Auguste Escoffier.

Representing a mobilized international membership of culinary professionals, Worldchefs is committed to advancing the profession and leveraging the influence of the chef jacket for the betterment of the industry and humanity at large.

Worldchefs is dedicated to raising culinary standards and social awareness through these core focus areas:

• Education – Worldchefs offers support for education and professional development through the landmark Worldchefs Academy online training program, a diverse network of Worldchefs Education Partners and curriculum, and the world’s first Global Culinary Certification recognizing on-the-job skills in hospitality;
• Networking – Worldchefs connects culinary professionals around the world through their online community platform and provides a gateway for industry networking opportunities through endorsed events and the biennial Worldchefs Congress & Expo;
• Competition – Worldchefs sets global standards for competition rules, provides Competition Seminars and assurance of Worldchefs Certified Judges, and operates the prestigious Global Chefs Challenge;
• Humanitarianism & Sustainability – Worldchefs Feed the Planet and World Chefs Without Borders programs relieve food poverty, deliver crisis support, and promote sustainability across the globe.

Visit www.worldchefs.org to learn more.