Laura Hayes
Laura Hayes is the director of the Chef Corps at World Central Kitchen—a global network of prominent culinary leaders who champion WCK’s relief work. Chef Corps members accelerate and amplify what WCK can accomplish when arriving first to the frontlines thanks to their generosity, adaptability, and visibility. As the leader and architect of the program, Laura recruits chefs who make WCK more nimble globally; manages Chef Corps members during high-pressure disaster responses; secures chef talent for ambassador opportunities; and empowers chefs to fundraise for WCK. Previously, Laura served as the food editor at Washington City Paper. She covered the innards of the restaurant industry and how food intersects with labor, politics, race, immigration, and the environment. Before joining Washington City Paper, Laura worked as a freelance food and travel writer contributing to Washington Post, Washington Post Express, Food Network, and more. You’ve heard her on CNN, SiriusXM, WTOP, NBC4, and Fox 5 DC. She’s also been a featured speaker at SXSW and is a frequent panelist and moderator at events. The Philadelphia native studied broadcast journalism and international relations at Syracuse University. She also spent two years teaching English in rural Japan and worked as the senior communications manager for the U.S.-Japan Council.
