Latest news with #ChefswithCompassion
3 days ago
- General
South African cooks join forces to make 67,000 liters of soup to fight hunger on Mandela Day
JOHANNESBURG -- Dozens of South African chefs, community cooks, caterers, and culinary students joined forces Friday in Johannesburg to make 67,000 liters (17,700 gallons) of soup to feed the hungry, in celebration of Nelson Mandela Day. First officially recognized by the United Nations in 2009, International Nelson Mandela Day encourages people to commemorate the birthday and legacy of South Africa's first Black president by volunteering for 67 minutes, which is equivalent to his 67 years of public service. To mark the birthday of South Africa's former head of state, who was born in 1918, cooks all over the country made soup in their own kitchens to contribute toward reaching the target. At the Johannesburg-based HTA School of Culinary Arts, cooks chopped vegetables, added legumes and sprinkled in a kaleidoscope of seasonings to make hearty soups. They braised their broths from early morning until 5:30 p.m., when the final soup tally began. 'The 67,000 liters, it's our take on 67 minutes,' said executive chef and chairman of NGO Chefs with Compassion, James Khoza. 'I did a lentil soup with vegetables and a bit of chicken pieces inside. It's not your normal kind of soup where you boil everything, then you make the soup out of it. For me, I look at flavor and is it quality as well. 'I know the guys are on the streets sometimes, or the beneficiaries, people tend to just give them whatever they feel like giving, but .... guys like us who come from hotel business, we understand that what we must feed people must be of that level, highest quality, that they feel like they are worthy because indeed they are worthy, " he added. Every year, South Africans volunteer their time on July 18, cleaning up public spaces, helping at schools or hospitals, or performing humanitarian work and making donations. For Chefs with Compassion, a non-profit organization that works to combat hunger and food waste, the food drive is 'a war against throwing away food and wasteful cooking,' Khoza says. This year marks the sixth consecutive year that they've rescued excess food from farmers and shops that would otherwise have been thrown out. Instead, the chefs use it to make large quantities of soup to offer to the thousands of Johannesburg residents who are food insecure. As part of her school's effort to add 300 liters of soup to the 67,000 liters that the collective aims for, Tyra Nyakudya, an 18-year-old college student, spent most of the day cutting vegetables and monitoring the soup pots. Although she was only six years old when the statesman passed away in 2013, she said his legacy of compassion and service remain in the memory because 'he did everything in his power to give back to the community, which is why we're doing this today.' South Africa is among Africa's leading food producers, but the 2024 National Food and Nutrition Security Survey (NFNSS) report found that 63.5% of South African households were food insecure, which translates to over 20 million people going without food every day and about 10.3 million tons of food being wasted annually. This is primarily driven by poverty, unemployment, and rising food prices, which are exacerbated by factors such as climate change and inequality. Hanneke Van Linge, head of Nosh Food Rescue, said the figures illustrated that food waste and food surplus is a huge problem, which should concern citizens every day. 'There's a lot of beautiful energy around Mandela Day specifically," she said. 'But we would like to implore people, don't just let your involvement stay on Mandela Day.'
The Hill
4 days ago
- General
- The Hill
South African cooks join forces to make 67,000 liters of soup to fight hunger on Mandela Day
JOHANNESBURG (AP) — Dozens of South African chefs, community cooks, caterers, and culinary students joined forces Friday in Johannesburg to make 67,000 liters (17,700 gallons) of soup to feed the hungry, in celebration of Nelson Mandela Day. First officially recognized by the United Nations in 2009, International Nelson Mandela Day encourages people to commemorate the birthday and legacy of South Africa's first Black president by volunteering for 67 minutes, which is equivalent to his 67 years of public service. To mark the birthday of South Africa's former head of state, who was born in 1918, cooks all over the country made soup in their own kitchens to contribute toward reaching the target. At the Johannesburg-based HTA School of Culinary Arts, cooks chopped vegetables, added legumes and sprinkled in a kaleidoscope of seasonings to make hearty soups. They braised their broths from early morning until 5:30 p.m., when the final soup tally began. 'The 67,000 liters, it's our take on 67 minutes,' said executive chef and chairman of NGO Chefs with Compassion, James Khoza. 'I did a lentil soup with vegetables and a bit of chicken pieces inside. It's not your normal kind of soup where you boil everything, then you make the soup out of it. For me, I look at flavor and is it quality as well. 'I know the guys are on the streets sometimes, or the beneficiaries, people tend to just give them whatever they feel like giving, but …. guys like us who come from hotel business, we understand that what we must feed people must be of that level, highest quality, that they feel like they are worthy because indeed they are worthy, ' he added. Every year, South Africans volunteer their time on July 18, cleaning up public spaces, helping at schools or hospitals, or performing humanitarian work and making donations. For Chefs with Compassion, a non-profit organization that works to combat hunger and food waste, the food drive is 'a war against throwing away food and wasteful cooking,' Khoza says. This year marks the sixth consecutive year that they've rescued excess food from farmers and shops that would otherwise have been thrown out. Instead, the chefs use it to make large quantities of soup to offer to the thousands of Johannesburg residents who are food insecure. As part of her school's effort to add 300 liters of soup to the 67,000 liters that the collective aims for, Tyra Nyakudya, an 18-year-old college student, spent most of the day cutting vegetables and monitoring the soup pots. Although she was only six years old when the statesman passed away in 2013, she said his legacy of compassion and service remain in the memory because 'he did everything in his power to give back to the community, which is why we're doing this today.' South Africa is among Africa's leading food producers, but the 2024 National Food and Nutrition Security Survey (NFNSS) report found that 63.5% of South African households were food insecure, which translates to over 20 million people going without food every day and about 10.3 million tons of food being wasted annually. This is primarily driven by poverty, unemployment, and rising food prices, which are exacerbated by factors such as climate change and inequality. Hanneke Van Linge, head of Nosh Food Rescue, said the figures illustrated that food waste and food surplus is a huge problem, which should concern citizens every day. 'There's a lot of beautiful energy around Mandela Day specifically,' she said. 'But we would like to implore people, don't just let your involvement stay on Mandela Day.'
Winnipeg Free Press
4 days ago
- General
- Winnipeg Free Press
South African cooks join forces to make 67,000 liters of soup to fight hunger on Mandela Day
JOHANNESBURG (AP) — Dozens of South African chefs, community cooks, caterers, and culinary students joined forces Friday in Johannesburg to make 67,000 liters (17,700 gallons) of soup to feed the hungry, in celebration of Nelson Mandela Day. First officially recognized by the United Nations in 2009, International Nelson Mandela Day encourages people to commemorate the birthday and legacy of South Africa's first Black president by volunteering for 67 minutes, which is equivalent to his 67 years of public service. To mark the birthday of South Africa's former head of state, who was born in 1918, cooks all over the country made soup in their own kitchens to contribute toward reaching the target. At the Johannesburg-based HTA School of Culinary Arts, cooks chopped vegetables, added legumes and sprinkled in a kaleidoscope of seasonings to make hearty soups. They braised their broths from early morning until 5:30 p.m., when the final soup tally began. 'The 67,000 liters, it's our take on 67 minutes,' said executive chef and chairman of NGO Chefs with Compassion, James Khoza. 'I did a lentil soup with vegetables and a bit of chicken pieces inside. It's not your normal kind of soup where you boil everything, then you make the soup out of it. For me, I look at flavor and is it quality as well. 'I know the guys are on the streets sometimes, or the beneficiaries, people tend to just give them whatever they feel like giving, but …. guys like us who come from hotel business, we understand that what we must feed people must be of that level, highest quality, that they feel like they are worthy because indeed they are worthy, ' he added. Every year, South Africans volunteer their time on July 18, cleaning up public spaces, helping at schools or hospitals, or performing humanitarian work and making donations. For Chefs with Compassion, a non-profit organization that works to combat hunger and food waste, the food drive is 'a war against throwing away food and wasteful cooking,' Khoza says. This year marks the sixth consecutive year that they've rescued excess food from farmers and shops that would otherwise have been thrown out. Instead, the chefs use it to make large quantities of soup to offer to the thousands of Johannesburg residents who are food insecure. As part of her school's effort to add 300 liters of soup to the 67,000 liters that the collective aims for, Tyra Nyakudya, an 18-year-old college student, spent most of the day cutting vegetables and monitoring the soup pots. Although she was only six years old when the statesman passed away in 2013, she said his legacy of compassion and service remain in the memory because 'he did everything in his power to give back to the community, which is why we're doing this today.' South Africa is among Africa's leading food producers, but the 2024 National Food and Nutrition Security Survey (NFNSS) report found that 63.5% of South African households were food insecure, which translates to over 20 million people going without food every day and about 10.3 million tons of food being wasted annually. This is primarily driven by poverty, unemployment, and rising food prices, which are exacerbated by factors such as climate change and inequality. Hanneke Van Linge, head of Nosh Food Rescue, said the figures illustrated that food waste and food surplus is a huge problem, which should concern citizens every day. 'There's a lot of beautiful energy around Mandela Day specifically,' she said. 'But we would like to implore people, don't just let your involvement stay on Mandela Day.'
The Star
08-07-2025
- General
- The Star
This Mandela Day, make your 67 minutes count with Chefs with Compassion's #67000litres campaign
This Mandela Day, South Africans are invited to be part of a national act of compassion that turns surplus food into nourishment—and 67 minutes into food for people in need. With an ambitious new target of 100 000 litres of soup, Chefs with Compassion is aiming to feed 400 000 people this Mandela Day. Chefs with Compassion's flagship initiative, #67000litres for Mandela Day, is back for its sixth year—and the call to action is simple: cook, donate, or spread the word. Whether you're a home cook with a few extra ingredients, a community group looking to make a difference, or a business wanting to give back, there's a way for everyone to get involved. Since 2020, the campaign has cooked a staggering 450 259 litres of soup, serving more than 1.8 million cups to hungry South Africans. In 2025, the goal is to cook more than 100,000 litres of soup, feeding over 400 000 people and raising funds to sustain Chefs with Compassion's work throughout the year.
IOL News
08-07-2025
- Business
- IOL News
This Mandela Day, make your 67 minutes count with Chefs with Compassion's #67000litres campaign
This Mandela Day, South Africans are invited to be part of a national act of compassion that turns surplus food into nourishment—and 67 minutes into food for people in need. With an ambitious new target of 100 000 litres of soup, Chefs with Compassion is aiming to feed 400 000 people this Mandela Day. Whether it's a litre of soup from a home kitchen or a team-building day with colleagues, this inclusive campaign invites everyone to take part—individuals, families, businesses, and community groups alike. Image: Supplied Chefs with Compassion's flagship initiative, #67000litres for Mandela Day, is back for its sixth year—and the call to action is simple: cook, donate, or spread the word. Whether you're a home cook with a few extra ingredients, a community group looking to make a difference, or a business wanting to give back, there's a way for everyone to get involved. Since 2020, the campaign has cooked a staggering 450 259 litres of soup, serving more than 1.8 million cups to hungry South Africans. In 2025, the goal is to cook more than 100,000 litres of soup, feeding over 400 000 people and raising funds to sustain Chefs with Compassion's work throughout the year. Now in its sixth year, #67000litres has already served over 1.8 million cups of soup to communities in need. And with support from leading culinary schools, chefs, community kitchens and corporates like Marriott, 2025 is set to be the biggest year yet. Image: Supplied Participants already confirmed include culinary schools like Capsicum, HTA, and International Hotel School, as well as community kitchens and well-known chefs from across the country. Marriott has also joined the movement through its Business Council's CSI programme. 'Mandela Day is about service, and there is no more direct form of service than feeding someone who would otherwise go hungry,' says Chef Coo Pillay, President of SA Chefs and Founding Director of Chefs with Compassion. 'Whether you're making one litre or one hundred, you're part of a movement that's restoring dignity, reducing food waste, and showing what compassion looks like.' How to take part: Cook at home: Use what's in your kitchen and share soup in your community Donate R167: Every donation helps fuel the campaign and support community kitchens Get your company involved: Sign up to back one of the kitchens participating in #67000litres for Mandela Day Spread the word: Share your #67000litres story online No pot is too small. No act of kindness too simple. Every contribution brings us closer to a country where no one goes to bed hungry. To register, donate or find a participating kitchen near you, visit Chefs with Compassion is a volunteer-based movement of chefs, culinary schools, and community kitchens dedicated to rescuing food and feeding those in need. Since its inception in 2020, the organisation has served more than 8 million meals to vulnerable South Africans.
