Massimo Bottura, the internationally renowned chef from Modena, was honored in New York with a prestigious United Nations award recognizing his long-standing commitment to social impact and humanitarian values.
The ceremony took place on December 12, 2025, inside the UN Headquarters, placing Bottura at the center of a global conversation that extends far beyond fine dining and into the future of communities, food systems, and shared responsibility.
The award celebrates individuals who have used their influence to promote positive change, and Bottura was recognized for his ability to connect food with dignity, inclusion, and empathy. Speaking in front of diplomats, cultural leaders, and international guests, he stressed that the future is not shaped only by innovation or economic growth, but by the capacity to understand others and act with compassion. According to Bottura, empathy is not an abstract concept but a practical tool that can guide decisions, policies, and everyday actions.
New York plays a central role in this journey. The city is home to one of the Refettorio community kitchens created by Food for Soul, the nonprofit organization founded by Bottura and his wife, Lara Gilmore. Food for Soul operates in more than 6 cities worldwide and has served hundreds of thousands of meals using surplus ingredients that would otherwise be wasted. Each Refettorio combines high-quality cooking with social inclusion, offering welcoming spaces where food becomes a means of connection rather than charity.
During his remarks, Bottura highlighted the urgency of addressing food waste, noting that roughly one third of all food produced globally is lost or wasted each year, while millions of people face food insecurity. He argued that chefs, artists, and cultural figures have a responsibility to use creativity as a force for social good, especially in large urban centers like New York, where inequality and opportunity exist side by side.
The UN recognition adds to Bottura’s growing profile as a cultural leader. While Osteria Francescana remains one of the most influential restaurants in the world, his impact today reaches far beyond the kitchen. The New York award underscores how his vision has evolved into a global platform that links gastronomy, ethics, and community action.
By bringing his message to the United Nations, Bottura reinforced the idea that meaningful change starts with empathy and grows through collective effort. His work shows how food, when guided by purpose, can help imagine a more inclusive and humane future.
