Chefs' Pledge Survey Launch

The UN Food Systems Summit will be convened by UN Secretary-General António Guterres in September 2021, the purpose of which is to shape global commitments and raise global awareness of food systems, that they might be transformed in order to reduce diet-related diseases, resolve hunger, and restore planetary health. The Secretary-General is calling all citizens to collective action, to “radically change the way we produce, process, transport, market and consume food”.

In response to this, chefs worldwide are being urged to act now to drive action to change our food systems. The Chefs’ Manifesto network believe that by working together, chefs can help deliver the UN Sustainable Development Goals and provide a better food system for all. They are taking a leading role to further focus and narrow the SDG (Sustainable Development Goals) roadmap for chefs, as well as bridging and connecting across chef networks. This has been motivated by the upcoming UN Food Systems Summit, and the urgent need to generate actions to be able to achieve the SDGs by 2030.

As a first step, they have compiled a survey to learn what chefs perceive to be the top practical actions that will enact change in the Decade of Action. The aim is to learn from participants what the top priorities are for chefs in 2021 and beyond, the results of which will inform the creation of a Chefs’ Pledge. This pledge will be a commitment to key practical priorities that can have the greatest impact to enact change. It will aim to create collective momentum to rally greater attention and engagement of chef food systems champions, mobilising them even further as agents of change, at key global events, and especially at the upcoming UN Food Systems Summit.

The topics for each question in the survey are taken from the Chefs' Manifesto Action Plan, that synthesises the United Nations Global Goals into eight thematic areas. From these eight areas, chefs have created simple actions to provide a practical guide that chefs can use to deliver change through their kitchens, classrooms and communities.

The Chefs' Pledge is facilitated by the Chefs' Manifesto, in support of the United Nations Food Systems Summit, in partnership with the World Association of Chefs' Societies, Chefs 4 The Planet, Social Gastronomy, The Chef Ann Foundation, Good Food Fund China and Le Cordon Bleu.

Any chefs who want to take part can complete the survey now, and if you would like more information then visit the action page to find out more about the purpose of the survey and the Chef’s Pledge.

Illustration is credited to Chefs' Manifesto.