Panamanian Chef Aids Jamaica's Recovery After Natural Disaster

Panamanian chef Isaac Villaverde heeded the call of the organization and joined the group of volunteers to participate in the preparation and distribution of 47,000 meals a day from a kitchen set up in the city of Montego Bay. "I am a member of the WCK Chef Corps, a global network of over 500 culinary leaders ready to cook in an emergency situation. To date, over 5 million meals have been served in Jamaica," he added. He also shared: "My connection to Jamaica is very deep; I have been connected to its culture since I was a child, and I am very happy to contribute to its recovery." WCK also connects with partner restaurants and community leaders to respond to disasters quickly. Participating as the only Panamanian in this operation opens a new chapter for Panama in humanitarian aid, particularly in the response of chefs," he shared. "The work ends when people receive hot food in their hands. After cooking, the key part is the distribution route." The organization has served over 550 million meals worldwide. When an emergency occurs, the team mobilizes and acts immediately. He also commented: "We ensure that the meals are traditional dishes, prepared with local ingredients, and that they are ready on time." The Panamanian chef Isaac Villaverde, the face behind the Afro-Panamanian gastronomy restaurant La Tapa del Coco (No. 61 of the best in Latin America, according to The World's 50 Best), traveled to Jamaica to participate for the first time in an operation of the World Central Kitchen (WCK) organization, created in 2010 by Spanish chef José Andrés. In October, the island was devastated by Hurricane Melissa with torrential winds, rains, and floods, one of the worst natural disasters on record. "Accepting this mission was a significant milestone in my professional and personal career," said Villaverde. WCK is a non-profit organization that provides hot and nutritious meals to people affected by humanitarian, climatic, and community crises.