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Sustainability Education for Culinary Professionals has now reached 14,000 graduates, marking another milestone for the program.
Worldchefs’ Sustainability Education for Culinary Professionals is a free course designed to help chefs think and act sustainably in their kitchens. Part of Worldchefs’ Feed the Planet initiatives, this course empowers culinary professionals to engage with key sustainability topics and promotes positive industry change.
The course is available in both English and Arabic, and can be accessed online through Worldchefs Academy or completed in-person led by a Worldchefs’ certified sustainability education trainer.
With 157 registered Sustainability Education trainers across the globe, Worldchefs continues to expand its global network of students and trainers, advancing in our mission to upskill chefs on sustainability.
Read below to hear from some of our dedicated sustainability education trainers who are making a significant impact in their communities.
Training Supermarket Chefs with Dr. Wafaa Hassanein in Egypt
Dr. Wafaa Hassanein’s idea to teach sustainability education to supermarket staff came from a simple observation. During one of her visits to a large market, Hyper 1, she noticed that several sections, including prepared meals, bakery, and fresh food counters, were staffed by chefs actively involved in food preparation. Recognizing an opportunity, she proposed offering the sustainability course specifically tailored for these chefs. After sharing the course content and explaining its value to the training manager, the course was soon put in place across various sections of the market.
Dr. Hassanein was well-aware of the significant environmental impact of large supermarkets and hypermarkets, which are often overlooked as venues for sustainability training. By equipping chefs in these areas with practical knowledge, she saw the potential for a widespread positive change, suggesting sustainable practices in their day-to-day operations, not only in professional kitchens but also in sections like bakery, prepared meals, and fresh food counters.
The response from the supermarket staff was overwhelmingly positive. Chefs were eager to learn and expressed gratitude for receiving insightful information, highlighting how the course had opened their eyes to sustainability practices they could immediately implement. The success of this initiative led the supermarket to request an additional course focused specifically on sustainability within kitchen operations.
Hands-On Sustainability Education with Viktorija Baltutyte-Bacheva at HRC Academy in Bulgaria
In Bulgaria, Viktorija Baltutyte-Bacheva has brought sustainability education to life at the HRC Culinary Academy in Sofia. Her inspiration for offering students a hands-on experience in sustainable education stemmed from her deep passion for supporting their growth and her desire to provide students with the bigger picture of sustainability in hospitality and foodservice.
Twice a year, as part of the academy’s curriculum, students engage in sustainable practices such as gardening and responsible recipe creation. The academy collaborates with a local garden to give students a real-world understanding of how food production and sustainability are connected.
By instilling sustainable practices in her students early on, Victorija helps them develop into leaders who will inspire broader change as they advance in their careers. She regularly reminds her students, “Remember that the power to make changes is within you and the white chef jackets you are wearing. Being a bit more responsible can change way more than just the image of what kind of a chef you are.”
The HRC academy students are adopting responsible habits, such as recycling and developing no-waste recipes. For some, the realization of environmental challenges can be overwhelming, yet it motivates them to consider how their individual practices can directly have both positive and negative impacts on the future.
At the HRC Culinary Academy, about 30-50 students participate in sustainability education each year. Viktorija encourages active participation with hands-on training and discussions.
These trainers serve as just two examples of how Worldchefs’ Sustainability Education for Culinary Professionals is making an impact around the world. Whether in a hypermarket in Egypt or a culinary academy in Bulgaria, sustainability education is empowering chefs to make a difference in their kitchens and beyond. We look forward to the continued growth of this training and discovering more sustainability champions across the globe
Thank you to Dr. Wafaa Hassanein and Viktorija Baltutyte-Bacheva for sharing these inspiring stories with us and supporting your students while driving innovative, positive change.
To learn more about becoming a sustainability education trainer, click here.
Take Action
Start the Sustainability Education for Culinary Professionals course for free at www.worldchefsacademy.com, and receive a digital badge to show your achievement.
The Worldchefs Academy mobile app can be downloaded on both the App Store and Google Play, and at www.worldchefsacademy.com.
Sustainability Education for Culinary Professionals is made possible with the support of Feed the Planet partners and the tireless contributions of Worldchefs’ members around the globe. Worldchefs extends the utmost gratitude to all course participants, program trainers, and educational institutions who bring their time, expertise, and vision to all Feed the Planet initiatives.
To learn more about Feed the Planet, visit feedtheplanet.worldchefs.org.
