The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is inviting applications from Indigenous chefs to take part in the upcoming 2025 meeting of the Global-Hub on Indigenous Peoples’ Food Systems, which will take place at FAO headquarters in Rome, Italy, from 13–17 October 2025. The selected Indigenous chefs will cook and present their food at the NOMAD Indigenous FoodLab provided by the International Centre for Reindeer Husbanry (ICR), Worlds Reindeer Herders (WRH), and our Danish partners Palle Bakkely and Søren Kristiansen – a unique space featuring two traditional Sámi Lavvu tents and a mobile kitchen, installed at FAO Headquarters in Rome.
Source: FAO
Are you an Indigenous chef working to preserve and promote Indigenous culinary traditions and food systems? Are you passionate about sharing your knowledge, experience, and food with an international audience?
If yes, this opportunity is for you!
🗓 Apply by: 01 July 2025
🔗 Application form: https://forms.office.com/e/5tQHZUCsDT
👩🍳 Who is FAO looking for?
FAO is seeking several Indigenous chefs whose work relates to:
The preservation and promotion of Indigenous Peoples’ food and knowledge systems;
Indigenous Peoples’ rights;
Intergenerational knowledge sharing;
Biodiversity conservation;
Community-led food initiatives aligned with FAO’s mandate.
🌍 What does FAO provide?
Due to limited funds, priority will be given to self-funded chefs. Depending on available resources, FAO may cover travel and expenses for selected non-self-funded applicants.
All selected chefs will be acknowledged in official communication materials related to the 2025 Global-Hub meeting (e.g., website, flyers, emails). Please note: no direct compensation will be offered.
Participants must hold a valid passport and be responsible for securing any necessary visas to travel to Italy.
📌 About the Event
This gathering brings together Indigenous and non-Indigenous experts to share and co-create knowledge, with respect for both academic and traditional knowledge systems.
The event coincides with the World Food Forum (WFF), FAO’s flagship gathering that draws thousands of participants globally.
🍲 What will Indigenous Chefs do?
Selected chefs will:
Prepare and serve meals (200–300 servings, including a vegetarian option) during the Global-Hub week;
Deliver a Chef’s Talk (45–60 minutes, in English) about their culinary work, cultural background, and the dishes they are preparing;
Support or collaborate with other chefs and kitchen staff;
Participate in sessions as part of the Indigenous Peoples’ delegation during the Global-Hub and WFF events.
✅ Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must:
Be 18 years or older;
Self-identify as Indigenous (per international standards);
Be able to cook for 200–300 people in a single sitting;
Be proficient in English for the Chef’s Talk.
📝 Deadline to apply: 01 July 2025
🔍 Selection Criteria
FAO will evaluate applications based on:
Relevance of the chef’s work to Indigenous food systems and rights;
Ability to meet the expectations of the role;
Regional and gender representation.
Please ensure you have Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) from your community for any cultural elements you wish to share, and avoid disclosing sacred or sensitive content.
