My Experience Cooking with World Central Kitchen in the Aftermath of the 2023 Turkey-Syria Earthquake

In February 2023, southern and central Turkey, as well as northern and western Syria, were hit by a massive earthquake that left widespread destruction and tens of thousands of fatalities in its wake. It was the deadliest seismic event in the history of modern Turkey and one of the strongest earthquakes ever recorded in the Levant. The earthquake struck at 04:17 am TRT (01:17 UTC) with a maximum Mercalli intensity of XI (Extreme), and it was followed by another earthquake of Mw 7.7 nine hours later, centered 95 km (59 mi) to the north–northeast in Kahramanmaraş Province.

The devastation and loss of life were almost unimaginable, but in the midst of the chaos, there were countless stories of bravery, resilience, and compassion. World Central Kitchen , the nonprofit organization founded by celebrity chef Jose Andres , was one of the groups that mobilized quickly to provide aid and support to the affected communities. As soon as the news of the earthquake broke, the team at World Central Kitchen started planning and coordinating a massive relief effort, which involved cooking and distributing hot meals to thousands of people every day.

I had the privilege of being part of this effort, and I can say that it was one of the most profound and humbling experiences of my life. As a volunteer with World Central Kitchen, I was part of a team of dedicated and hardworking individuals who were committed to making a difference in the lives of those affected by the earthquake. We worked tirelessly, sometimes through the night, to prepare and serve hot meals to people who had lost everything in the disaster.

The work was physically demanding and emotionally draining, but it was also incredibly rewarding. There was a sense of pride and purpose that came from being part of a team that was making a real difference in people's lives. We saw firsthand the impact that our work was having on the community. We saw people's faces light up when they received a hot meal, and we heard their words of gratitude and appreciation. It was a reminder that even in the darkest of times, there is hope, and there are people who are willing to step up and make a difference.

As the days passed, we began to see the trajectory of the relief effort take shape. What started as a small group of volunteers cooking and distributing meals out of a makeshift kitchen soon grew into a massive operation with dozens of volunteers, multiple kitchens, and thousands of meals being served every day. It was a testament to the power of community and the resilience of the human spirit.

Looking back on my time with World Central Kitchen , I am filled with a sense of pride and gratitude. I am proud to have been part of a team that made a real difference in people's lives, and I am grateful for the experience of working with such dedicated and inspiring individuals. But most of all, I am grateful for the opportunity to see firsthand the power of compassion, generosity, and hope in the face of unimaginable tragedy.