The Electrolux Food Foundation – together with partners AIESEC and Worldchefs – is extending the successful zero-waste culinary training program for unemployed people to a second location in Brazil. Plans are also in place to launch the program in Argentina, Russia and Egypt in the near future.
With a focus on reducing food waste, the Electrolux Food Foundation launched a culinary training program as a pilot in Curitiba, Brazil, in September 2017.
Since then, 34 people – mostly women – have been trained. Out of the first batch of 18 students, eight so far have found a job.
“The team in Curitiba – together with our partners Worldchefs and AIESEC – took this sketch of an idea, developed and implemented it in a way that exceeded everyone’s expectations. This has inspired us to replicate the program in other locations,” says Malin Ekefalk, Director of Social Responsibility at Electrolux.
Looking towards a brighter future
One of the lucky students is Sirlei who was unemployed for some time before she took part in the training. After the course, she was hired by a restaurant which specializes in private events because she could prepare a wide variety of food including finger food, pasta, cakes and desserts.
Meanwhile, Felipe is helping out one of the chefs who trained him. This is his first job in a professional kitchen and he has high hopes of becoming a professional chef one day.
In September 2018, a second culinary training center will open in São Carlos, Brazil. Plans are also underway to launch the program in Argentina, Russia and Egypt.
“The Curitiba project is a great example of how three different organizations – Worldchefs, Electrolux and AIESEC – can work together to achieve life-changing results. I could not be prouder or happier with this project and look forward to replicating it globally,” says Christopher Koetke, Worldchefs Vice President Strategy and Industry Relations.
About the culinary training program
The ten-week course developed by Worldchefs is taught by volunteering professional chefs in a special kitchen created at the Electrolux facility in Curitiba. The project is driven by employees together with the Electrolux Food Foundation, and is heavily supported by its partners Worldchefs and AIESEC.
About the Electrolux Food Foundation
The Electrolux Food Foundation was established in 2016. It brings employee initiatives to life by supporting them with funding and resources. These initiatives seek to inspire sustainable food consumption and cooking habits among consumers and professionals, and to support people in need through education and emergency relief efforts. The Foundation supports the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
