'Champions of Change' aus Italien und Brasilien

The World's 50 Best Restaurants has announced the 2024 Champions of Change - the heroes of the hospitality industry who are at the forefront of positive action and long-term progress for the industry and their communities. The award goes to a duo in Italy for their ground-breaking initiative to support migrant women, and a Brazilian chef who is working to create a better future for youth in Rio's favelas.

Modenas Roots is a social enterprise model run by migrant women, created by Caroline Caporossi and chef Jessica Rosval. The duo founded the Association for the Integration of Women in 2020, whose mission is to provide resources for women to take root and thrive. In 2022, together with their co-founder Maria Assunta Ioele, they opened the self-sustaining social model Roots, where migrant women in Modena can learn, work and build self-confidence while taking their first steps into professional life.

Brazilian João Diamante was also named Champion of Change. He is the founder of the social project Diamantes Na Cozinha (Diamonds in the Kitchen), which offers cookery, nutrition and hospitality courses for young people living in precarious conditions.

Diamantes Na Cozinha is training a new generation of talent and currently offers courses to up to 100 students over a whole semester. Earlier this year, Diamante opened his own restaurant in Rio, Diamante Gastrobar, where most of the staff are graduates of his school.

William Drew, Head of Content at The World's 50 Best Restaurants, explains: "The work these people are doing to contribute to a better future for their community is admirable. We are delighted to support the development of such valuable projects." Caroline Caporossi and Jessica Rosval add: "It is a great honour to receive this recognition. We are very proud of our graduates. The success of Roots is based on the value they bring to our kitchen every day, and this award is further proof of the human and economic potential of women everywhere." João Diamante comments: "Being named Champion of Change is a great compliment, and I am grateful for the appreciation of our work. This project was created to help people from socially disadvantaged neighbourhoods in Rio on their way to a better future and I am proud to share this success with a global audience."