Once again, the hospitality sector has demonstrated its solidarity, its ability to work as a team and its generosity by supporting the Valencian municipalities affected by the DANA in different ways. In Gata de Gorgos, specifically in the Obrador de Gata of the Cala Bandida Group, one of these initiatives emerged a month ago.
It all started with a conversation between Borja Susilla, co-owner and head chef of the Tula restaurant (Jávea),
and Lucas Gisbert, director of the Cala Bandida Group. They quickly assembled a team of cooks who lit the stove to begin cooking for those affected, dedicating their time, resources and equipment altruistically, with the essential help of dozens of volunteers, who in a few days became half a thousand, thus creating a large solidarity network that continues to this day.
In this way, the Alicante group, thanks to donations from suppliers and collaborating brands, has centralised the preparation of more than 3.000 meals a day to distribute in different places affected by the DANA, specifically in Paiporta or Sedaví but more frequently in Algemesí, under the coordination of World Central Kitchen. Currently, the Cala Bandida Group reaffirms its commitment to continue cooking and distributing hot meals for the victims, for as long as necessary: "Solidarity has no expiration date. We will continue working so that no affected family is left without a hot plate of food," explains Borja Susilla.
Lucas Gisbert, director of the Cala Bandida Group and promoter of the initiative, emphasises the fundamental work of the volunteers, as without them the action would not have been possible: “We deeply thank the hundreds of volunteers, and Marina Vega in particular for her work with all of them, who have dedicated their time and effort to creating this aid network for Valencia. We are very proud of what we have achieved and grateful for having been able to contribute our grain of sand together with World Central Kitchen, and even more so for continuing to help those who need it most.” In addition, he makes an appeal to detect needs and thus continue to reach those who need it: “We ask that they contact us directly to provide them with all the help that is possible. We want to continue bringing hot food to the most needy homes.”
Restaurants and collaborating chefs
This work has been possible thanks to the unparalleled help of chefs and restaurants who have volunteered during these weeks. In addition, the Cala Bandida Group would also like to express its deepest gratitude to all the businesses that, with generosity and effort, have made donations, providing raw materials and all kinds of resources to make this charitable work possible. Without their involvement, none of this would have been possible.
