OVER 150 children spend the day cooking with renowned chefs during the eight edition of ChefsForChildren in Benahavis, Marbella.
A total of 36 elite chefs – boasting over 60 Michelin stars between them – shared their culinary skills with the eager youngsters, many who are battling serious illness.
The phalanx of cooks had been gathered together for the fifth year at the five-star Anantara Villa Padierna spa hotel.
The group – many who had travelled down from Catalunya and the Basque Region – hosted a fun workshop for the youngsters, ending in a three course finger-food lunch feast for their parents.
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“It feels so important to make these children happy and give them good memories,” Julian Marmol, chef of Godai, in the Balearic Islands told The Olive Press.
“I love giving something back,” added TV chef Sergi Arola, who has two restaurants in Sintra, Portugal. “In fact all of this famous bunch, all of these important leading professionals and celebrity chefs love doing their bit for the common good.”
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Spread across one hotel terrace you could sense the excitement of the children as they cheered the arrival of the chefs who had come to primarily teach them healthy recipes.
Chef Maria Jose Martinez, of Lienzo in Valencia, said it is vital to teach children about nutrition.
“Too many children eat poorly today, so it is important to show them how to make healthy food for when they grow older,” added the Murcia-born talent, known in Valencia as the ‘honey chef’.
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One participant, Lucia, 8, described the day as an ‘honour’ to be at.
“I love learning to cook and I can see myself teaching this to my own kids in the future,” she said smiling.
“It’s so important to send some joy to these wonderful children,” said three Michelin-star maestro Tono Perez, of Atrio in Caceres, Extremadura.
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After the workshop, the children tasted their creations and received diplomas and goodie bags, while taking pictures with all chefs.
“It just gets better and better every year,” insisted Fina Puigdevall, of Les Cols restaurant, in Olot, Catalunya, who clearly loved mentoring the youngsters.
“I’m only down for two days but I’m looking forward to the gala tonight and to relaxing and chilling out by the pool tomorrow.”
One of Spain’s most famous female chefs, she has three daughters, all of whom work in her amazing Pyrenees restaurant.
“I hope I can set an example to some of the young girls here, and it would be great if some of them became chefs one day too.”
Marbella maestro Mauricio Giovanini, who has attended all eight editions, insisted ‘the event is a highlight of my year’.
“I really look forward to it,” the Italian chef of Messina told the Olive Press.
“The positivity and buzz this creates for Malaga is simply spectacular, and I love hanging out with such a talented bunch.”
The initiative is backed by 17 sponsors, with all proceeds donated to FEDER (The Spanish Federation of Rare Diseases), a non-profit supporting those with rare diseases.
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