Created by chefs Türev Uludağ and Ebru Baybara Demir, Gönül Mutfağı is a solidarity initiative aimed at providing hot meals. Initially launched to help victims of the February 6, 2023 earthquake in Turkey, this collective “Kitchen of the Heart” has served 17 million meals thanks to the coordinated effort of over 4,000 volunteers.
Far from simply distributing food, Gönül Mutfağı is part of a comprehensive approach to social and cultural reconstruction. By integrating local residents into their team, via the From Soil to Plate cooperative, the initiative not only supports the local economy, but also helps restore a sense of belonging and hope among the affected communities. In September 2023, the kitchen moves and volunteers now dedicate themselves to serving 10,000 breakfasts daily to Hatay elementary school pupils during the 2023-2024 school year. They will repeat the operation for the coming year.