For the sixth consecutive year, Chefs With Compassion continues their #67000litres challenge to rescue, cook, and feed.
Their mission
Chefs With Compassion is on a mission to inspire the food industry to be better, be greener and waste less, caring about the communities it feeds. Founded during the peak of COVID-19 back in 2020, this non-profit organisation is committed to combating hunger and food waste in and across South Africa, with the majority of its efforts based in Johannesburg.
Their #67000litres for Mandela Day Challenge has shone the spotlight on the massive issue of food waste and hunger, having fed 955,584 South Africans in honour of Madiba. Since 2020, Chefs With Compassion has cooked 450,259 litres of soup and served hungry South Africans over 1.8 million cups.
Their 2025 goals are:
- To cook more than 100,000 litres of food
- Feed over 400,000 people
- Raise funds to support their initiatives throughout the year
Mandela Day is about service, and there is no more direct form of service than feeding someone who would otherwise go hungry. 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, says President of SA Chefs and Founding Director of Chefs With Compassion, Chef Coo Pillay
Who’s involved
Chefs With Compassion welcomes anyone who is interested in their cause (and ready to cook a lot). Currently, participants include culinary schools Capsicum, HTA, and the International Hotel School. Community kitchens and well-known chefs across South Africa have joined the campaign. Marriott has also provided support through its Business Council’s CSI programme.
How you can get involved
Individuals can contribute by cooking right at home with ingredients they already have in the kitchen. Chefs With Compassion challenges individuals to cook 10 litres of soup in 67 minutes or more, and to donate the dish to a beneficiary of your choice. The minimum participation fee for individuals is R67.
Or, donate R167 to help fuel community kitchens and keep the campaign going.
Corporations can ‘back a kitchen’ with a donation of R6,70 per litre. Your company will receive a Section 18A certificate and an allocation of 67 minutes where your team (of no more than 10 people) can cook with chefs.
Find out more here. Remember to share your story online to urge others to join (use #67000litres).
