"Let's Help Ugandan Children": Eleven Top Chefs Including Choi Hyunseok Unite

Fifth "Table for All" Campaign by Korea Compassion
11 Top Chefs Join to Support Food Security and Self-Sufficiency for Ugandan Children
Chefs Jo Heesook, Seo Hyunmin, and Park Seongbae Deliver Hope in Uganda in July

From the left, chefs Park Seongbae, Cho Heesook, and Seo Hyunmin smiling brightly in Uganda. Korea Compassion

On September 2, the international child development organization Compassion announced that it will launch the "Table for All 2025" (TFA) donation campaign to support children suffering from poverty and disasters around the world.

"Table for All" is a campaign initiated by Korea Compassion in 2022, with the meaning of "a table where everyone who shares a meal becomes happy." The campaign aims to deliver dreams and hope to children in difficult circumstances worldwide through food. Now in its fifth year, the event is made possible by the voluntary contributions of experts from Korea's food and restaurant industries. It has become a special occasion where chefs and donors come together to practice sharing, going beyond simple sponsorship.

This year, a record 11 of Korea's top chefs have joined the campaign, strengthening the spirit of giving. The participating chefs are Cho Heesook (Hansikgonggan), Seo Hyunmin (Restaurant Allen), Cho Eunhee and Park Seongbae (Onjieum), Lee Jun (Soigne), Choi Hyunseok (Choi Dot), Son Jongwon (Eatanic Garden and L'Amant Secret), Kim Seongil and Cha Doyeong (La Yeon), Kim Donguk (Moony), and Yoo Seongyeop (Sanro). Appointed as "TFA Friends," they will raise donations through online fundraising until December 31. The charity dinner, to be held at Grand Walkerhill Seoul on November 30, will also feature Korea's top sommelier crew SOMZ and the pastry boutique NOTRE DON.

The funds raised through this campaign will be used to support 11,300 children and their families at 44 Compassion child centers in Uganda. In addition to food assistance, the funds will be used for self-sufficiency programs such as terraced farming, tree planting, crop cultivation education, and disaster response training, all aimed at ensuring sustainable food security.

Previously, in July, chefs Cho Heesook, Seo Hyunmin, and Park Seongbae visited Uganda in person, offering comfort to families struggling with poverty and sharing hope and courage with local youths aspiring to become chefs. They prepared dishes using local ingredients and spent time sharing meals with about 250 children, delivering warmth and encouragement.

Chef Cho Heesook said, "Through the Table for All event, I want to offer even a small amount of help so that children can realize how precious they are and have dreams and hope for the future." She added, "I hope that with our warm attention, they will be able to dream of a better future."

Seo Jungin, CEO of Korea Compassion, stated, "I sincerely thank the chefs who participated and shared their talents despite their busy schedules," and added, "The sharing that begins at our fingertips will resonate far and wide, bringing significant change to the lives of children in Uganda."