Chefs take action on malnutrition

Download the letter

Why is fighting malnutrition so important?

For over a third of the world’s population, eating a healthy meal is an unattainable luxury. Severe malnutrition causes almost half of young child deaths globally.

That’s why fifteen chefs including Meera Sodha, Andi Oliver, Raymond Blanc OBE, Rick Stein CBE have signed a letter calling on the Foreign Secretary, David Lammy, to lead with ambition on addressing the global hunger and nutrition crises.

They’re calling for the UK to commit an extra £500m per year over the next five years to nutrition specific programmes at the upcoming Nutrition for Growth Summit, which will have a transformative effect on young lives around the world.

  • Gallery Meet the chefs calling for action

    Ken Hom CBE

    Ken Hom CBE is a Chinese American chef, author and television presenter. Ken is the man who showed the British how to cook Asian food.

    We're proud to have had Ken’s support as one of our ambassadors for over 20 years.

  • Gallery Meet the chefs calling for action

    Andi Oliver

    Andi Oliver is a British chef, television and radio broadcaster, and former singer. She is best known for her appearances on the BBC TV cooking show Great British Menu. She is the author of the book The Pepperpot Diaries: Stories From My Caribbean Table, published in 2023.

    She's been a support for many years, hosting our Fine Wine and Arts Dinner and our DEC appeals.  

  • Gallery Meet the chefs calling for action

    Atul Kochhar

    Atul Kochhar is an Indian-born, British-based chef and television personality. Kochhar was one of the first two Indian chefs to receive a Michelin star, awarded in London in 2001 whilst at Tamarind. He opened his own restaurant Benares, which won him a second Michelin star in 2007.

  • Gallery Meet the chefs calling for action

    Mallika Basu

    Mallika Basu is a food writer, commentator, and author of two cookbooks – Miss Masala: Real Indian Cooking for Busy Living and Masala: Indian Cooking for Modern Living. She is one of Good Food’s podcast hosts, and advises organisations to champion ESG and purpose-led behaviours for social impact.

  • Gallery Meet the chefs calling for action

    Marcus Bean

    Marcus Bean is a chef, author, and television personality. Marcus is known for winning the 2010 Channel 4 series Iron Chef UK, as well as regularly appearing on This Morning and presenting Good Food shows.

  • Gallery Meet the chefs calling for action

    Melissa Thompson

    Melissa Thompson is an award-winning writer and cook who started a popular supper club in 2014. A former feature writer for a national newspaper, in 2015 she left journalism to pursue her love of cooking, with the supper club growing into a sell-out pop-up across locations in London.

  • Gallery Meet the chefs calling for action

    Vivek Singh

    Vivek Singh is an Action Against Hunger Ambassador, supporting us for over 20 years. Vivek is the Executive Chef and Owner of the Cinnamon Collection. Vivek is regarded as one of the most successful and respected modern Indian chefs in the country.

  • Gallery Meet the chefs calling for action

    Meera Sodha

    Meera Sodha is a London-based cook and food writer. Meera has written four best-selling cookbooks, including Made in India, Fresh India, East and Dinner. Meera writes a weekly column for The Guardian, titled ‘The New Vegan’.  

Meera Sodha in chef's apron sitting in garden.
"Access to food is a basic human right, but something that communities around the world still lack. Every child deserves the best start in life, and proper nutrition is essential to that foundation."
Meera Sodha, chef, columnist and award-winning author

UK Aid cuts: Raise your voice for humanitarian funding

Keir Starmer and the UK Government's decision to cut UK Aid directly impact global nutrition programmes, including those fighting malnutrition.

You can write to your local MP to ask what's being done to address the impact of the UK cutting humanitarian aid funding and the impact cuts are having on vulnerable communities

Write to your MP on UK Aid cuts

About Action Against Hunger UK

Action Against Hunger (AAH) UK is an international charity committed to saving the lives of malnourished children and supporting their families to beat hunger. We fight life-threatening hunger in 56 countries across Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America and the Middle East.

Our life-saving programmes reached 21 million people around the world in 2023, and in 2024 AAH responded to 47 emergencies in 34 countries.

Learn more about our work fighting malnutrition

Our partners

Eleanor Crook Foundation

Eleanor Crook Foundation logo

The Eleanor Crook Foundation (ECF) is a U.S. philanthropy fighting to end global malnutrition through research, policy analysis, and advocacy.

Learn more about Eleanor Crook Foundation

Concern Worldwide

Concern Worldwide logo

Concern Worldwide are an international humanitarian organisation that strives for a world free from poverty, fear and oppression.

Learn more about Concern Worldwide

Save the Children

Save the Children work in over 100 countries supporting children to transform their lives. Their ambition is that no child dies from preventable causes before their fifth birthday.

Learn more about Save the Children

Unicef

Unicef logo

UNICEF stands for The United Nations Children’s Fund. Their vision is to build a better world for every child, and provide vital nutrition for children experiencing malnutrition.

Learn more about Unicef