World's 50 Best Names 'Champions of Change' 2022

The World's 50 Best Restaurants, in partnership with S.Pellegrino, has revealed three new winners for the second year of its Champions of Change initiative, celebrating local heroes in the hospitality sector who have created positive change in their communities.

The following have been named Champions of Change ahead of The World's 50 Best Restaurants ceremony on 18 July, for their local social and humanitarian work: Dieuveil Malonga, chef of Meza Malonga in Kigali, Rwanda, and founder of Chefs in Africa; Olia Hercules and Alissa Timoshkina, London-based founders of #CookForUkraine; and social entrepreneur Koh Seng Choon, founder of Dignity Kitchen.

50 Best will make a substantial donation to each of the winners’ causes, allowing them to continue and grow their initiatives.

Find out more about each of the winners below.

Champions of Change 2022

Dieuveil Malonga

Thirty-year-old African chef Dieuveil Malonga opened his restaurant, Meza Malonga, in Kigali, Rwanda, in 2020. He is also the founder of Chefs in Africa (created in 2016), an online platform that helps chefs overcome the barriers presented by a lack of training, employment, equipment and discrimination by nuturing the talent and culinary passion found in Africa. Malonga continues to stand by his mission "to write a new history of gastronomy that has its roots in Africa and to contribute to affirming the gourmet aspect of African cuisine".

Speaking of his win, he said: “Transmission is a key for a better future. I’m honoured to be named a Champion of Change and will continue to nurture the passion and talent of African chefs.”

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Dieuveil Malonga: 'Africa is my Source of Inspiration'

A chat with the Basque Culinary World Prize 2018 finalist increasing the global visibility of African cuisine and talent with his "Chefs in Africa" platform.

Olia Hercules and Alissa Timoshkina

London-based friends Olia Hercules and Alissa Timoshkina launched the food fundraising initiative #CookForUkraine, inspired by the war in Ukraine, where Hercules was born. They are trying to raise awareness of the humanitarian situation, as well as funds to help displaced children and families, while providing a platform to share and promote Ukrainian recipes and the stories behind them.

They have raised nearly £900,000 to date and are currently working on a hospitality-focused workplace scheme for Ukrainian refugees, a cooking school staffed by Ukrainian cooks, and more.

Cake by Azotea to support the people of Ukraine

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Chefs Come Together for the People of Ukraine

Chefs and restaurants are stepping up to the plate for the people of Ukraine. Here's a look at some of the initiatives taking place.

Koh Seng Choon

Headquartered between Hong Kong and Singapore, Koh Seng Choon is the founder of Dignity Kitchen, the first community food court run by people with disabilities in Asia. The initiative acts as a school to train disabled and disadvantaged people to become hawker stall vendors.

Dignity Kitchen forms part of Project Dignity, which supports people with disabilities through various initiatives, including a second-hand book shop run by mothers and their children with special needs, and Dignity Meal, a food safety initiative aimed at helping disadvantaged people.

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