Secret Santa: Charitable Foodie Gifts Chefs Love

‘Tis the season for giving and what better way to show love and appreciation than dedicating your time to a charity? Our favorite chefs have shared how they play Santa Claus to some of their favorite charities and organizations. Whether it’s delivering food to hungry families in New Orleans, combatting childhood obesity and championing healthy eating, or speaking up for those who can’t speak for themselves, chefs have given back in more ways than one. This holiday season, show your love and support and consider donating to one of their charities, as food is the one thing that unites the world.

John Besh

In 2011, John Besh and his team created the John Besh Foundation to promote and protect the culture of New Orleans through scholarships for inner city minority youths and micro loans to area food producers. But during the holidays, the American chef, restaurateur, author, and BFF of Aarón Sánchez, works with Shine Your Light Charity to provide haute creole Christmas meals to families in need.

“We provide everything Christmas, from presents to food and drink,” said Besh of the foundation. “It also advances the development of our unique city. As for Shine Your Light, during the holidays, I like to have my children involved cooking and spending time with me. The boys cook with me and we deliver the meals to families and Mm friends are there at the same time with presents for the family and together bringing meaningful Christmas experiences.” 

In order to garner attention for his charity, Besh hold the Fetes de Chef Gala in March, as well as special pop up dinners throughout the year. He also recently collaborated with Billy Reid to create an apron with proceeds going to the foundation. 

“Donating to either of these charities is a rewarding experience,” said Besh. “In both cases, you would be benefitting vulnerable populations to give them a meaningful holiday and in the case of the John Besh Foundation, to further the culture of New Orleans.” [pagebreak]

Lorena Garcia

When she’s not cooking, writing cookbooks or making television appearance, Venezuelan chef Lorena Garcia is another very generous chef who donates to three close to her heart, including the Alliance for a Healthier Generation, Common Threads, and Big Chef Little Chef.

“These organizations dedicate their efforts to combat childhood obesity and spread the importance of a balanced nutrition and the basics of cooking for children and their families,” she said.

Garcia uses many platforms to promote awareness for her organizations. Each time she enters a cooking competition show, she creates awareness to these charities. “I donate my winnings to the charities and I also participate in fundraising events that create more awareness to the cause,” she said.

The dedicated chef strongly believes in giving back and that all of the organizations are giving their all to make a positive change in the community. “In order to receive in any instance, we need to give from the heart, and if we all give a little, it will make a huge change,” she said. [pagebreak]

Ingrid Hoffmann

Colombian television personality, author ,and restaurateur Ingrid Hoffmann, believes that donating is important, but it is more important to become an engaged participant as well. It is for that reason that she became a board member for Amigos For Kids in Miami and The Food Education Fund in New York City.

“Besides my active monthly work for them, I am the spokesperson for The American Diabetes Association,” said Hoffmann. “I also contribute to numerous others such as The Humane Society, Michelle Obama’s ‘Let’s Move Campaign’, the mentorship program of Women Of Tomorrow, and FIU Culinary and Hospitality School where I mentor, teach classes for free, and help place kids in jobs and scholarships.”

Hoffmann said that while every organization is close to her heart, she especially loves the ones that help children and animals as she feels they are the most defenseless.

“I donate a lot of time and money and I do regular programs and seminars for Amigos For Kids families, teaching them to cook and purchase healthy meals on a budget and how to make small lifestyle changes for the benefit of the family,” said Hoffmann of one of her charities. “We have many parents that have reversed their cholesterol and come off diabetes medication. I also do reading classes with the kids.”

As for spreading the word, Hoffmann loves holding events such as family fairs and educational classes after school, as well as meetings with parents to help in home economics and diet.

“Our annual Amigos For Kids ‘Domino Night’ fundraiser and annual toy drive gathers funds and wish list items for 1,800 families,” she said. “We gift specifically what they requested in three centers for disadvantaged families.” How’s that for playing Santa Claus? [pagebreak]

José Andrés

Spanish American chef and restaurateur José Andrés donates his time and effort to several organizations that he believes are making a real difference in the world.

“To me, that could mean a soup kitchen down the road from me in Washington, DC that is reducing food waste and training people in kitchen skills, like DC Central Kitchen; or a bakery in beautiful Haiti, created by my organization World Central Kitchen, a non-profit that’s raising money for an orphanage and providing jobs for the community,” said Andrés. “I prefer to donate to organizations that see more than just a problem, but an opportunity, which is how I know they’re making a meaningful impact.” 

All of Andrés’ organizations have one thing in common: they are creating sustainable solutions to problems that he feels will last long after he is gone. In giving back, the chef feels strongly about demonstrating a physical presence.

“In order to help communities in need, it’s important to show up, instead of just throwing money at the problem,” he said, adding that the work World Central Kitchen is doing in places like Haiti is creating sustainable solutions for people to end food insecurity and malnutrition. “Through my experiences in Haiti, I’ve also experienced first-hand how the cooking methods are impacting people’s health and the environment, and it’s what led me to work with causes like the Global Alliance for Clean Cookstoves.”