WCK restaurant partner in Kharkiv determined to keep cooking after attack
This past weekend, WCK restaurant partner Yaposhka was destroyed when a missile hit Kharkiv. Yaposhka is one of the hundreds of restaurants that bring WCK’s Chefs for Ukraine work to life – preparing thousands of meals for Ukrainians in shelters, hospitals, transit stations, and more.
We believe World Central Kitchen is the largest organization in the world because every cook, every kitchen, every restaurant, and anyone who wants to help is a part of WCK—they may just not know it yet. While the many chefs, culinary professionals, and business owners we partner with are not our full-time WCK staff, we consider them a part of our collective food first responder family.
In times of crisis, we work with chefs and restaurant partners because they are adaptable, can handle complex circumstances, and will always get the job done – attributes that are at the core of WCK’s mission and belief that food is a universal human right. Additionally, by working with local restaurants, we immediately invest in and support local economies, even when it seems impossible.
World Central Kitchen condemns, in the strongest possible terms, attacks on civilians and humanitarian relief partners. Our hearts go out to the Yaposhka staff who were injured in the recent missile attack and to all Ukrainians who have been tragically affected by the invasion.
Tomorrow, after picking through the kitchen equipment and relocating to a new location, Yaposhka and their staff will be cooking once more and dreaming with us of a better tomorrow. The bravery shown by WCK’s restaurant partners is truly incredible—even under attack these individuals are focused on providing critical support to vulnerable communities. WCK will continue to work with hundreds of restaurants across the country providing resources to help them keep going.
A humble plate of food is the best way to send a message of unity and love. We thank you for your support.
