Chef José Andrés Joins Meridian and the Embassy of Italy to discuss Food Security and Gastrodiplomacy
On May 27, 2015, Meridian partnered with the Embassy of Italy to discuss “Leadership in Food Security and Gastrodiplomacy: Italy, the United States and Expo Milano 2015.” The highlight of the event was a dynamic discussion on food security and sustainable development with H.E. Claudio Bisogniero, Ambassador of Italy to the United States; Award-Winning Chef José Andrés; and Beatrice Camp, the U.S. Department of State’s coordinator for U.S. participation in the Expo Milano.
The event was hosted by Ambassador Bisogniero at his official residence just weeks after the official opening of the Milan Expo. Attendees - including U.S. government officials, members of the diplomatic corps, business leaders, and members of the media - learnt about the challenges of food security and sustainable development in feeding the world’s growing population, expected to reach 9.6 billion by the year 2050.
Beatrice Camp, the U.S. Department of State’s coordinator for U.S. participation in the Milan Expo, stressed the importance of food security to promote global stability. Ms. Camp commented that the Expo provides an opportunity for the U.S. to showcase its leadership in food security policy, science and technology, food diplomacy and trade, while collaborating with other countries on joint exhibits and programs.
Meridian’s Council on Women’s Leadership Chair and Co-Founder, Michele Manatt led an insightful conversation with Ms. Camp and Chef Andrés, who is also Owner of Think Food Group and Founder of World Central Kitchen. Chef Andrés spoke of his role as the Culinary Ambassador for the Global Alliance for Clean Cookstoves, and the Alliance’s mission for 100 million households to adopt clean cook stoves by 2020. In response to a question from the audience regarding women in the culinary profession, Chef Andrés emphasized that women in developing countries are taking primary responsibility for moving their communities forward, and by investing in women and providing them with effective cooking technology, food can be an effective agent of change for the empowerment of women and girls and for poverty eradication.
