Horrified by the Ukraine crisis, world renowned celebrity chef launches #PerogiesforKids campaign

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Toronto, April 26, 2022 – Today, Canadian celebrity chef and restaurateur Roger Mooking is launching #PerogiesforKids to support Save the Children Canada’s emergency response efforts for children affected by conflict and crisis. Proceeds from the sales of perogies at Mooking’s restaurant Twist by Roger Mooking, located in Toronto Pearson International Airport, will support children worldwide affected by wars, natural disasters, climate change and food insecurity.

Vivid childhood food memory of perogies

“My strong connection with Ukrainian culture began when I was a child. One day I walked into my kitchen and a Ukrainian grandmother from our neighbourhood was teaching my mom to make perogies—neither woman could speak the other’s language, but they were teaching each other food traditions and sharing cultures. It’s a vivid memory for me,” said Mooking.

“This perogie dish was created when I first launched the menu at Twist seven years ago,” added Mooking. “It’s close to my heart and represents this beautiful food memory from growing up, so it was the perfect fit for how I could help.”

One in six children in the world is growing up in conflict

Mooking, a long-time Save the Children Ambassador, was inspired by the war in Ukraine to do something for the 450 million children (one in six) in the world who are growing up in conflict and the millions of others facing climate and food security crises.

“As a father, I can’t imagine the anguish parents all over the world must be facing with their children growing up in the crosshairs of conflict and in other crisis that put their very lives and futures at risk,” said Mooking. “From Ukraine to Myanmar, Syria to Yemen—war is no place for children. Add the millions of children who are struggling every day without enough health food to eat, and it’s a heartbreaking world for millions of children.”

#PerogiesforKids

Partial proceeds from the popular Perogies dish at Roger Mooking’s restaurant, Twist by Roger Mooking will go to support Save the Children’s Emergency Fund until December 31, 2022.

Save the Children’s Emergency Fund

Save the Children responds immediately to the needs of children in conflict and crisis through their Children’s Emergency Fund which delivers urgent essentials in war, hunger crises, political violence, and devastation due to climate crisis.

About Roger Mooking

A Save the Children Ambassador since 2011, Roger Mooking has travelled to visit Save the Children’s programs in Bangladesh and Peru and is passionate about every child’s right to thrive, learn and be protected. The Trinidadian-born, Canadian-raised chef, restaurateur and recording artist is influenced by his culturally rich family background, his love of people, arts and travel, and interest in global flavors to create experiences that he can share with the world. Mooking is best known as the host of the dynamic live-fire, grilling and barbecue show “Man Fire Food” on Food Network Canada and Cooking Channel. Most recently you can catch Roger as a judge on Food Network Canada’s “Wall of Chefs” and “Fire Masters”. He is also the host of “Man’s Greatest Food”, “Everyday Exotic”, and co-host of “Heat Seekers” alongside chef Aarón Sanchez.  Music is never far behind his culinary journey. This Juno-award winning artist recently released an EP, Edibles. As Roger would say, “food feeds the body and music feeds the soul.”

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