Dozens of cooks from Marina Alta and Baixa are mobilized to feed those affected by the DANA

A group of renowned chefs from Marina Alta and Marina Baixa have joined together in an extraordinary show of solidarity to cook and deliver hot food to those affected by the DANA that hit several towns in the province of Valencia a week ago.

Volunteers collaborating at the Gata bakery to send food to Valencia

Led by chefs such as Sergio Box, Borja Susilla, Evarist Miralles and the Cala Bandida team, together with dozens of solidarity chefs from the Marina Alta and even from the Marina Baixa, the gastronomic team works tirelessly in the Gata workshop, owned by Cala Bandida, who proposed to the chefs to use these facilities for the solidarity purpose.

Volunteers collaborating at the Gata bakery to send food to the towns of Valencia

From this point, thousands of meals are sent daily to the affected towns in Valencia. This operation has the collaboration of the World Central Kitchen organization, founded by chef José Andrés. This solidarity initiative in Marina Alta has been underway since last Sunday, although all the work began on Saturday with the purchase of food and materials.

The foundation's flag shines in the Gata workshop

Chefs and a large team of volunteers are cooking from 8:30 in the morning until 12:30 at noon, making sure that the more than 3.000 portions come out in time to arrive hot and ready to eat. “We prepare quantities according to what the organization itself asks us for, but in these days we have made 1.800 portions on Sunday for Paiporta, 3.000 on Monday for Algemesí and 3.200 on Tuesday for Paiporta and Algemesí. For this Wednesday another thousand dishes will be coming out, including lentils, sandwiches, sea bass, pasta with tuna, chicken, liver… So we are going to continue all these days with the line of 2.500-3.000 portions a day,” says chef Box.

Volunteers making hundreds of sandwiches for those affected by the DANA

Over the days, the solidarity initiative has gained strength, managing to mobilize around 200 people, reaching 80 and 90 volunteers per shift. In addition to this mobilization, there is help from local companies providing food and materials necessary for the operation, including boxes for sending meals. The call is still open to all those who want to participate, either by providing raw materials or lending a hand.

Volunteers plating food for delivery to those affected by the DANA

Every day, new volunteers join this charitable work, organizing shifts to ensure that the aid reaches those who need it most. Each dish that comes out of this kitchen carries the effort and love of dozens of hands that only want to help. "This work will continue throughout the week and next week at least," says Sergio Box.

Packaged food for delivery to affected populations in Valencia

With the support of World Central Kitchen and the generosity of chefs, businesses and volunteers, this initiative has once again shown the ability of the Marina Alta to unite and support in times of adversity.