Palestinian women lead WCK’s latest Gaza kitchen
World Central Kitchen has served more than 55 million meals in Gaza, with teams at three large capacity Field Kitchens and over 80 community kitchens cooking tens of thousands of meals daily. For months now, our operations in Gaza have been entirely led by Palestinians, using their experience, skills, and dedication to support their communities. They are willing to be adaptable and try new things, and WCK’s new female-led Field Kitchen is a shining example of that. From the logistics lead to the head chef, this kitchen is staffed almost entirely by women.
The kitchen has been named Zomi’s Kitchen, and the commitment to quality and the sense of purpose the women in this kitchen possess directly mirrors the personality of Zomi herself. Zomi was one of seven WCK team members killed on April 1, when IDF airstrikes targeted our humanitarian convoy in Gaza. Though most of the women working in this kitchen never got to meet her, they carry on Zomi’s legacy of compassion and bravery every day.
My team and I at WCK work like a single family to give our utmost effort to feed the displaced. We will provide thousands of meals to the displaced in this city. I hope to become an international chef who provides meals to a greater number of people, especially here in Zomi’s Kitchen.
Alaa
Women have a deep sense when it comes to preparing food, which sets them apart from others. Being in the kitchen gives us pride because of the service we provide to people in such extremely difficult circumstances.
Amani
I previously worked in the Rafah Kitchen bakery, now in Zomi’s Kitchen I have worked again. I hope that the meals will reach the largest number of displaced people in the affected areas, because people really need these meals.
Hoda
Our first Field Kitchen in Gaza was located in Rafah, and we had dozens of Palestinian men and women working there. In the kitchen, they cooked tens of thousands of hot meals, while the bakery produced saj bread to accompany the meals. This kitchen has been closed since the end of May, when the Israeli military issued evacuation orders for the area. Many of the Rafah cooks are now working at our other kitchens in central Gaza.
My team and I handle tasks such as monitoring quantities of food and planning their increase over the days. We also ensure the quality of the food. All of this is to provide excellent service to people. We strive to continuously develop the work within WCK in the Gaza Strip.
Chef Samar
I am proud to join the WCK team and feel a great sense of social responsibility towards people, especially children. We stand side by side to provide humanitarian service to people in the Gaza Strip.
Amira
These women work tirelessly every day to provide support to their fellow Palestinians, and in doing so, they embody Zomi’s values. After her death, Zomi’s family spoke about her worldwide impact, saying: “She will leave behind a legacy of compassion, bravery, and love for all those in her orbit.” Zomi’s light and legacy continue to shine, and to bring people together for an important and simple cause—to give help to people who need it.
Zomi Frankcom
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