U.S. Ambassador Randi Charno Levine joined the group at the "Farina" restaurant as part of the U.S. Embassy's efforts to support underserved youth and promote diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility through culinary diplomacy. Levine stressed that "food is the universal language," adding that "By cooking with these kids, we're not just creating recipes, we're crafting connections that go beyond cultural boundaries!".
Hip Hop artists Sam the Kid and Nuno Varela, whose philanthropic efforts include supporting the "Chelas e o Sítio" Community Center, also participated in this initiative. For Sam the Kid, "Initiatives like this gastronomic project enrich the youth community of Marvila in a very significant way. An unforgettable experience thanks to the U.S. Embassy, Chef Chakall and Chef Art Smith!”.
“Everything that’s outside of the every day makes a huge impression on the lives of these kids. So, this shared experience is going to be something they talk about and remember not just for days or weeks, but years into the future”, Nuno Varela, from Chelas é o Sítio shared.
Chef Chakall also expressed, "In life, it's not about what we have or what we get. It's about what we give. Being able to share “Farina” and my skills with our community is what makes it all worthwhile," while Chef Art Smith said "Pizza is the ultimate food of love because it's meant to be shared. Thank you to Chef Chakall, Chelas e o Sitio, Viver em Sociedade and the US Embassy for this opportunity to share!”.