#COOKFORIRAN LAUNCHES THIS NOVEMBER 2022

The team behind #CookforSyria launch #CookforIran this November 2022 in support of women in Iran.

Yotam Ottolenghi, Nasim Alikhani, Najmieh Batmanglij and Nilou Motamed are just some of the leading chefs and food personalities from across the world supporting #CookForIran - a NEW global advocacy initiative that raises awareness of the Iranian people’s call for human rights and freedom.

Curated by Layla Yarjani, Gemma Bell, Clerkenwell Boy, Piers Zangana, and Omid Scheybani, the initiative aims to use food as a vehicle to amplify the voices of those who have been campaigning inside Iran since the middle of September.

As part of the campaign, restaurateurs, chefs, bakers, café owners and food writers from around the world are invited to take part in #CookForIran by sharing Iranian recipes, putting an ‘Iranian inspired twist’ on one of their favourite signature dishes, creating a new dish, or showing support via social media platforms.

The global campaign launches this November 2022 with leading chefs from the US and UK joining the campaign, sharing recipes as well as special one-off events.

Major names from the hospitality world who have already pledged their support include:

Yotam Ottolenghi – Chef & Owner, Ottolenghi

Nasim Alikhani – Chef & Owner, Sofreh

Nilou Motamed – Judge, Netflix’s Iron Chef

Kian Samyani – Chef & Owner, Berenjak

Nieves Barragán Mohacho – Chef & Owner, Sabor

Didier Elena – Chef, Hogsalt

Najmieh Batmanglij – Author, Food of Life

Sally Abe – Chef, The Pem

Ayesha Nurdjaja – Chef & Owner, Shuka and Shukette

Imad Alarnab – Chef & Owner, Imad’s Syrian Kitchen

Leyli Homayoonfar – Chef & Owner, Babhaus

Noda Marvani – Chef & Owner, Koocha

Philip Juma – Chef & Owner, Juma Kitchen

Cyrus Todiwala – Chef & Owner, Cafe Spice Namaste

Farokh Talati – Chef & Author, Parsi: From Persia to Bombay

Carousel London – Restaurant Group

Andy Baraghani – Author, The Cook You Want to Be

Noor Mourad – Chef & Author, Ottolenghi Test Kitchen

Fernando Trocca – Chef, Sucre and Mostrador

#CookForIran is primarily a campaign focused on maintaining attention on the human rights issues in Iran. Similar to #CookForSyria and #CookForUkraine, this campaign is built around culture, food and community – raising awareness and keeping the movement alive while Iranians find a path forward.

Iranian cuisine (Iran is modern-day Persia and the food and culture is also called Persian) is one of the oldest in the world and reflects the country’s rich cultural heritage with influences from across the Middle East and beyond.

Key ingredients in Iranian cuisine include saffron, pomegranate and pomegranate molasses, pistachios, dried rose petals, rose water, walnuts, fresh herbs and turmeric.

Free Recipes and ‘How to Host a Supper Club’ videos and toolkits will also be shared on the @CookForIran instagram page for the public to host their own dinners.

The campaign has already had widespread support with contributions from top food writers and food bloggers from around the world – including Najmieh Batmanglij (“The grande dame of Iranian cooking” - Washington Post), Mersedeh Prewer (Saffron and Herbs), and Shary Jahangiry (Modern Persian Kitchen).

“We hope that through the #CookForIran campaign we will raise further awareness and support for the current movement around the world, demanding human rights and women’s rights for the Iranian people.”

“Our goal is to keep the movement alive while the Iranian people and the community find a solution.”

“Through cooking, sharing recipes and the power of social media, we invite everyone to help keep attention on Iran as the country goes through this period of change toward a free future.”

#CookForIran Team

For further information, please contact Gemma on g.bell@gemmabellandcompany.com.