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On this episode, Ragnar speaks with Ikal Luzon, the local program coordinator for the Like a Chef project in Argentina. The Like a Chef initiative, created under the Worldchefs Feed the Planet partnership, aims to equip underprivileged individuals with culinary and workplace skills. Ikal shares her inspiring journey from working in kitchens to becoming an ambassador for the Electrolux Food Foundation. Hear more on Episode 109: The Unexpected Chef – Empowering Trans Lives Through Culinary Education with Ikal Luzon.
Ikal discusses Like a Chef’s unique advocacy focus on the LGBTIQ+ community in Buenos Aires and the transformative impact of the program. Learn how partnerships with local NGOs and the private sector are building a more inclusive culinary community.
Tune in and LEARN:
- Ikal’s remarkable personal journey: Discover how Ikal Luzon, a trans migrant from Venezuela, overcame challenges and discrimination to become an ambassador for the Electrolux Food Foundation in Argentina. Her journey is a testament to the power of perseverance and the importance of supportive community programs.
- The community impact of the Like a Chef program: Learn how the Like a Chef initiative is more than just a training program; it’s a lifeline for many in Argentina’s LGBTIQ+ community. Through essential culinary education and job placement assistance, this program is transforming lives and enhancing social inclusion.
- On building a diverse and inclusive culinary world: Understand the broader impact of fostering diversity within the culinary sector. Ikal shares insights on how inclusion can significantly enhance corporate culture and improve the hospitality industry worldwide.
Resources
Learn more about the Like a Chef program here, and tune in to hear how you can get involved.
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About Ikal Lukon
As a trans person, I’ve faced discrimination, but now, thanks to the Like a Chef program, I’m helping others find their way in the culinary world. Together, we’re creating new opportunities.
For this community in particular, the possibility to project themselves in life is something that is a privilege that many people don’t have. The Like a Chef program brings that capacity to people who go through it.
Ikal Lukon
Ikal Luzon is a passionate advocate for social inclusion and community empowerment. In 2017, she arrived in Argentina from Venezuela alone at the age of 19. Despite facing discrimination in the kitchen and beyond, she persevered, working her way up from kitchen roles to Like a Chef’s local coordinator in Argentina. Ikal is dedicated to equipping marginalized individuals with essential culinary and workplace skills. Her work not only transforms lives but also fosters an inclusive and diverse culinary community, making her an inspiring example of hope and resilience.
Acknowledgments
Special thanks to Ikal Lukon for joining us.
World on a Plate is supported by Nestlé Professional and our podcast sponsors.
