Chef

Peggy Chan

“I don’t think I would enjoy dish creation or managing a kitchen if I didn’t also try to create meaning with my advocacy for animal welfare and environmental causes.”
Originally from Hong Kong, Peggy Chan has lived in Canada and worked for prestigious establishments such as Le Cordon Bleu Ottawa, L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon Hong Kong, and Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts.

An iconic figure of sustainable gastronomy in Asia, Chef Peggy Chan opened Grassroots Pantry in 2012 in Hong Kong, a pioneering plant-based restaurant in Asia that highlights local and often forgotten ingredients.

A TedX speaker, recipient of the HK Environmental Excellence Award in the services sector, and entrepreneur leading Grassroots Initiatives Consultancy—her consulting firm that helps businesses implement responsible practices—Peggy Chan is a hyperactive chef. But above all, she is the committed activist behind the Zero Foodprint Asia movement. Founded in 2021, this NGO mobilizes the food sector around agricultural climate solutions, particularly regenerative agriculture, gradually changing consumption and production habits across an entire industry. A mission that Peggy Chan sums up very well: “I believe it’s time that the success of a restaurant isn’t purely based on revenue or how many awards It wins, but on whether sustainability targets are actually met.”

NGO

Zero Foodprint Asia

” The solution is under our feet.” Driven by this belief, Chef Peggy Chan launched the Zero Foodprint Asia movement in Hong Kong in 2021, inspired by Anthony Myint’s organization. The goal: to contribute to soil health in order to reduce the impact of extreme weather events, promote farmer prosperity, and restore biodiversity.

The organization connects restaurants, food companies, and hospitality businesses that seek healthier and more sustainable food practices and voluntarily donate 1% of their revenue, with farmers who commit to more sustainable agriculture—without pesticides, without deep plowing, but rich in humus and biodiversity.” Just 1% added to every bill, in aggregate, can help to fund the transition on thousands of acres of farms from conventional to regenerative” explains Peggy Chan.
The 16 projects already launched in the Greater Bay Area and Bali contribute to improving food security, nutrition, and farmer prosperity while reducing vulnerability to climate change. ” ZFPA on the other hand tackles systemic problems across the wider food and agricultural sector. Because without systems change, there is no true sustainability.”

Present in Hong Kong and Bali, the organization plans to expand its activities to other regions of Asia, including Singapore, Indonesia, and the Philippines.

Other engaged people

Discover the inspiring faces of committed chefs. We’re highlighting these culinary enthusiasts who stand out for their societal actions and their commitment to a better future. Explore the profiles of renowned chefs, rising stars and emerging talents, and dive into their projects and initiatives. Each featured chef offers a unique insight into his or her personal commitment.