Breaking down barriers and providing opportunities through cooking
Who Are We?
Cooking for Life based in Hong Kong, is dedicated to bettering the lives of underprivileged children through education in cookery. Our mission is to provide these children access to take part in activities that are not normally available to them, and to afford them the chance to integrate and interact in new surroundings.
The vision for the program is that we will ultimately provide the participants the chance to take up employment in a major kitchen or send them to a world renowned hotel school, opportunities they would never have thought possible.
The Participants
All of our children come from Hong Kong organizations dedicated to working with those from a range of underprivileged situations. We have been working with 8 organizations including Against Child Abuse, the Neighbourhood Advice Action Council, Christian Action, the Hong Kong Federation of youth groups, Medical Social Services, Hong Kong Children & youth services and the Boys and Girls Clubs Association.
A Structured Program
CFL is a program where participants, aged between 10 and 18 take part in lessons being led by top chefs in restaurants and hotels around Hong Kong. The expertise of those with many years in the industry is being used to direct the program with the assistance of volunteers.
The program gives them a vital exposure to the industry and the opportunity to learn skills that will give them an advantage in the employment market or pursuing further training in this field.
Providing Opportunities
CFL provides access to an insight into a world that would not normally be available to people from difficult backgrounds.
Beyond the kitchen, trips to markets, farms and restaurants helps develop a greater sense of belonging and provide more extraordinary experiences for the children.
Benefits for Participants
CFL is a Charity established and run by volunteers, and every dollar donated goes directly into the programs for the benefit of all these participants.
The money also goes to providing extra-curricular social activities.
Vision
We hope that many people will share our vision and work with us to achieve our aims. We believe that every child from an underprivileged background in Hong Kong deserves the opportunities that are offered to others. We have the vision that this program will provide as many children as possible the chance to learn from those within the industry in excellent facilities. We want this program to offer communication, cooperation and teamwork. We hope also that some of the participants will manage to secure employment or enroll in a hotel school. We have the vision of involving top chefs in sessions and related activities to offer experience and inspiration and to draw more attention to the difficulties of those living in underprivileged
