SUPPORTING COVID-AFFECTED FAMILIES

SUPPORTING COVID-AFFECTED FAMILIES AND FRONTLINE WORKERS

The lockdown resulting from the 2nd wave in India has created a dire situation for people everywhere and on multiple fronts. Since entire families and their staff have been affected by the Covid-19 virus this time around, people have not had access to good, nutritious meals. On another level, since thousands of people have also succumbed to the virus, the workers at hospitals and crematoriums have been overburdened with work and have not had enough access to food. We wanted to do what we could in order to help. So, while we first began with providing meals free of charge to Covidaffected families, we quickly realised that hospital and crematorium workers needed us as well. Very quickly, we tapped into our community and asked them to contribute excess groceries and produce. Because of our combined efforts, we have now served over 5000 delicious and nutritious meals to more than a hundred families around our neighbourhood. Since Monday, May 17 2021, we have also been serving 200 crematorium workers every day and have made more than 1000 meals for them already. I feel that as a chef and a resident of Delhi, this is the least that I can do to help.

~ RADHIKA KHANDELWAL

New Delhi

With the pandemic, India has had a really hard ride. For a while it horrified the world, competing for the worse numbers with Brazil and the USA. It hit everywhere and everyone. For the past few weeks, every morning brought bad news through emails from our friends in India. The worst was the friends who went silent. We are still trying to locate some, with the help of other friends or embassies. In this instant communication society, it has suddenly become difficult to get in touch when you really need it. India is a very resilient society, as history proves. It seems they invented the art of sustainability. Amazingly, the India hospitality and tourism industry are already preparing to pick up and start again. To put back together the pieces after the disaster will be difficult but it will happen. On World Sustainable Gastronomy Day June 18, we will make India the center of our prayers. The pandemic is not the only issue. In the long term, climate change is very threatening for India, and its neighbours: floods are becoming ubiquitous, as well as droughts. It is crazy, there is no other word. For the first time, Swedish radio announced this morning the moonsoon was arriving tomorrow to Scandinavia, with tropical rains. They expect in one day more rain than they get usually in a month ! People are starting to realize with the pandemic and climate change we are all in the same boat. Thank you Flavel for your hard efforts in gathering us for India. It is a very generous gesture, consuming so much of your energy. We all needed you to take leadership and action, we will ride this one out together.

~ EDOUARD COINTREAU

President, The Gourmand Awards from Alfred Nobel House Björkborn, Karlskoga, Sweden