“Stay Safe” project which brings hot meals to those in need in Kadıköy, Istanbul, and supported by Kristal Oil, made it to the exemplary projects list by UNESCO – United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation.
A lot of attention is devoted to some of the social responsibility projects launched during the COVID-19 pandemic which has swept across the world. Started right at the beginning of lockdown, “Stay Safe” is among those projects. Led by gastronomy writer Ebru Erke, Chef Umut Karakuş and a group of chefs and volunteers, the project is also supported by Dilara Koçak who designs the menus. The success of the project was recognized by UNESCO as well. With Kristal Oil providing olive oil for the meals, the project became one of the most successful campaigns during the pandemic and made it to the exemplary projects list by UNESCO. In a statement on the recognition, representatives of Kristal Oil said that it was an honor to see that a project they have supported is appreciated by UNESCO.
In the first phase of the project, the most eminent chefs of Turkey arrived at the kitchen at Kadıköy Municipality. Two chefs and young teams cooked everyday for the project. Supporters included Ahmet Can Aras, Ali Ronay, Ali-Buse Dövenci, Aliye Gümüş, Aylin Yazıcıoğlu, Burak Zafer, Çiğdem Seferoğlu, Ebru Erke, Esen Hünal, Hazer Amani, Maksut Aşkar, Rafet İnce, İsmet Saz, Mihta Yıldırımtaş, Sinan Büdeyri, Umut Karakuş, Yaren Çarpar and Zeynep Tuğçe Koltuk.
The meals, cooked for 1200 disadvantaged people above age 65, were delivered by the Kadıköy Municipality in line with the food distribution and packaging criteria. The project successfully manifested the importance of social responsibility in such trying times.
