Chefs Mario Cachinero of Skina; José Carlos García of José Carlos García Restaurante; Mauricio Giovanini of Messina; and David Olivas of Back, alongside maître d’ and sommelier Pía Ninci of Messina, took part in an educational session with students from the Benahavís School of Hospitality.
The ChefsForChildren presentation announced the latest developments regarding the charity event at a ceremony presided over by José Antonio Mena, Mayor of Benahavís; and attended by José María Bergillos, Provincial Secretary-General of the Regional Delegation for Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development of the Regional Government of Andalusia; and José Manuel Fernández, Vice-President of the Western Costa del Sol Association of Municipalities.
The eighth edition of ChefsForChildren was launched at the Benahavís School of Hospitality with an educational event that brought together leading figures from the world of gastronomy and institutional representatives to announce the latest developments regarding the charity gala in aid of FEDER, the Spanish Federation for Rare Diseases.
Chefs Mario Cachinero (Skina**), José Carlos García (José Carlos García Restaurante*), Mauricio Giovanini (Messina*), David Olivas (Back*), alongside maître d’ and sommelier Pía Ninci (Messina*), shared their professional experiences with the students, inspiring the future talents of the culinary world.
The event was presided over by José Antonio Mena, Mayor of Benahavís, and was attended by José María Bergillos, Provincial Secretary-General of the Regional Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development of the Regional Government of Andalusia; and José Manuel Fernández, Vice-President of the Western Costa del Sol Association of Municipalities.
As host, José Antonio Mena emphasised that “for Benahavís, with its strong tradition in the hospitality industry, it is a privilege to be supporting this initiative for the fourth consecutive year, in which Spain’s leading chefs teach healthy habits to our schoolchildren whilst we support FEDER in its work to assist affected families”.
All the key figures at this event spoke first-hand about their experience at an event which, under the slogan “Eating healthily is fun”, reinforces values such as solidarity and healthy eating. And this year, the support is going to the foundation that represents more than 400 associations across Spain, promoting research, access to treatments and awareness of rare diseases. Rosa Elba González, a spokesperson for FEDER, noted that “for children with rare diseases, feeling supported by leading figures in haute cuisine is an extraordinary educational experience. ChefsForChildren helps us raise awareness of their conditions and foster a more empathetic and inclusive society.”
Speaking on behalf of the Regional Government of Andalusia, José María Bergillos stated that “the Regional Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development supports charitable initiatives such as this ChefsForChildren event, and we do so through the ‘Gusto del Sur’ promotional brand, which enables us to promote food and seafood products from Málaga whilst safeguarding their origin, quality, characteristics and traceability. It can be said without a shadow of a doubt that this initiative fits perfectly within the ‘three S’s’ championed by Gusto del Sur: Flavour, Health and Sustainability. Malaga has been home to several of the oldest and most representative civilisations of the origins of the way of life that defines the concept of the Mediterranean diet. We would like to thank all the participating chefs for their work, as the pairing of the worlds of cuisine and agriculture provides an excellent platform for promoting significant aspects of Andalusian culture, such as its gastronomy and the foods that form its foundation. We congratulate FEDER on its magnificent work, and we would like to emphasise that in Andalusia we stand in solidarity, which is why we are celebrating the 8th edition of this event that brings together leading professionals from the world of gastronomy.”
In the same vein, Sabor a Málaga – a brand promoting the agri-food sector created by Málaga Provincial Council, and the driving force behind this event since its first edition – has highlighted that this initiative combines culinary excellence, solidarity and education. “Our young talents have a unique opportunity to learn from the most prestigious chefs, promoting a cuisine based on quality produce, where the concepts of ‘zero-kilometre’ and ‘seasonal’ take on particular importance. The synergy between the primary sector and the hospitality industry is essential for the sustainability of our towns, creating a gastronomic culture with its own identity”.
Meanwhile, the Vice-President of the Association of Municipalities of the Western Costa del Sol, José Manuel Fernández, stated that “we are proud to support ChefsForChildren, a project that brings together gastronomy, solidarity and education, and demonstrates the Costa del Sol’s commitment to children and causes with a social impact.”
The charity gala: 20 April at Anantara Villa Padierna
On Monday 20 April, more than 60 renowned chefs will teach 150 children from FEDER and the Daidín and Atalaya schools how to cook, whilst teachers from Le Cordon Bleu Madrid and students from the Benahavís School of Hospitality will assist them during the workshops.
The evening will begin with a cocktail reception in the gardens of the Anantara Villa Padierna amphitheatre and will culminate in a unique dinner, featuring a tasting menu created by the province’s Michelin-starred chefs. The evening will include a live performance and a raffle for gastronomic experiences, in a gala that combines entertainment, gastronomy and charity. Tickets for this dinner are available on the event’s official website: chefsforchildren.es
Participating chefs
Here are the names of the more than 60 chefs from across Spain who are taking part in this initiative on a voluntary basis: Pedro Subijana (Aquelarre***), Ángel León (Aponiente***), Elena Arzak (Arzak***), Toño Pérez (Atrio***), Eneko Atxa (Azurmendi***), Nacho and Esther Manzano (Casa Marcial***), Jesús Sánchez (Cenador de Amós***), Javier and Sergio Torres (Cocina Hermanos Torres***), Oriol Castro, Eduard Xatruch and Mateu Casañas (Disfrutar***), Paolo Casagrande (Lasarte*** ), Martín Berasategui (Martín Berasategui***), Paco Morales (Noor***), Paulo Airaudo (Amelia**), Benito Gómez (Bardal**), Pablo González (Cabaña Buenavista**), Mario Sandoval (Coque**), Manuel Costiña (Costiña**), Diego Guerrero (Dstage**), David Yárnoz (El Molino de Urdaniz**), Francis Paniego (El Portal del Echaurren**), Iván Cerdeño (Iván Cerdeño Cigarral del Ángel**), Kiko Moya (L´Escaleta**), Fina Puigdevall and Martina Puigvert (Les Cols**), Fran Martínez (Maralba**), Erlantz Gorostiza (MB**), Paco Pérez (Miramar**), Paco Roncero (Paco Roncero Restaurante**), Pepe Vieira (Pepe Vieira Restaurant**), Ramón Freixa (Ramón Freixa**), Ricard Camarena (Ricard Camarena**), Mario Cachinero (Skina**), Ignacio Echapresto (Venta Moncalvillo**), Vicky Sevilla (Arrels*), Rafa Soler (Audrey’s*), Artur Martínez (Aurt*), David Olivas (Back*), Pedro Sánchez (Bagá*), Andrés Torres (Casa Nova*), Javier Aranda (Gaytán*), José Carlos García (José Carlos García Restaurante*), Dani Carnero (Kaleja*), Miguel Ángel de la Cruz (La Botica de Matapozuelos*), Manu Franco (La Casa de Manolo Franco*), Óscar Molina (La Gaia*), Begoña Rodrigo (La Salita*), Javier Estévez (La Tasquería*), Sergi Arola (LAB*), María José Martínez (Lienzo*), María Gómez (Magoga*), Israel Ramos (Mantúa*), Mauricio Giovanini (Messina*), Álvaro Garrido (Mina*), Samuel Naveira (MuNa*), Carlos Maldonado (Raíces*), Ricardo Sanz (Ricardo Sanz Wellington*), Diego Gallegos (Sollo*), Hugo Muñoz (Ugo Chan*), Óscar Velasco (Velasco Abellá*), Julián Mármol (Yugo The Bunker*), Diego del Río (Boho Club), Domi Vélez (Domi Vélez Bakery), Alberto Chicote (Omeraki), Andrea Tumbarello (Don Giovanni) and Luis Valls (Pan&Cebolla Gastronómica).
Sponsors and partners
The project is supported by sponsors such as Porsche, which provides vehicles through Centro Porsche Marbella; Bodegas Emilio Moro, which supplies its wines; Joselito, which provides its Iberian ham; and Le Cordon Bleu Madrid, which organises cooking workshops featuring healthy recipes. In addition, companies and brands supporting the cause are collaborating: IBERIA, Acciona, Harley-Davidson, Fundación La Caixa with Acción Social CaixaBank, One2One, Cashmere Decoración, Unique by Roberto Silvosa and Uniformes Luque. Meanwhile, Aquanaria, Balfegó, Emporium AOVE, Laurent-Perrier, Frutas y Verduras Eladio, Escuela Kerbest, Antonius Caviar and Casa del Gelato are taking part in the gala dinner with product tastings. And Vocento is the media partner that will raise the profile of the event through its national and regional media outlets.
