Everyone asked to don a chef’s hat for worthy fundraiser

By Liudmyla Bortok

Restaurants in Cork city and Kinsale launched a campaign called One Plate for Palestine, aimed at raising funds for people in Palestine facing severe hunger and hardship.

The campaign will take place from Monday 22 July- Sunday 27 July and will bringing together food businesses across Ireland from restaurants and cafés to food trucks and pubs in a united effort to raise at least €25,000.

Each participating venue has been invited to add a Palestinian-inspired dish or drink to their menu, with 100% of the proceeds from those items going to trusted charities providing meals and clean water in Gaza.

One Plate for Palestine has been designed to be simple and easy to take part in. Businesses could join in for just one day or the full week. Many created dishes using traditional Palestinian ingredients such as za’atar, sumac, labneh, hummus, Palestinian olive oil, and olives.

A popular option during the week is the suggested dish Prátaí do Phalaistín (Potatoes for Palestine) — a plate of fresh Irish potatoes served with Palestinian flavours. It was a meaningful symbol of the connection between Irish and Palestinian experiences of hunger and resilience.

The campaign was launched by two local restaurants — St Francis Provisions in Kinsale and L’Atitude 51 in Cork city. They are leading the initiative with a call to their colleagues across the country to get involved.

“We believed food could be a way to show support and solidarity,” they said. “The response from the hospitality industry was deeply moving. So many businesses joined in — from small cafés to Michelin-starred kitchens.”

The money raised during the campaign will go directed to NGOs such as Gaza Go Bragh, TEA Collective, and World Central Kitchen, all of which have been delivering vital aid in extremely difficult conditions. The organisers made it clear that if the situation on the ground changed, funds would be redirected to other reliable aid groups to ensure they reached those in need.

The campaign also welcomes home cooks, encouraging people to prepare Palestinian-style meals for their families and friends, helping to spread awareness beyond the hospitality sector.

One Plate for Palestine is a powerful reminder that a simple act — sharing a plate of food — can offer help to people in crisis.