Chefs continue to deliver nourishing meals to thousands in Ottawa despite setbacks

OTTAWA, May 27, 2020 – To mark World Hunger Day Ottawa’s Food for Thought net-café , or Food for Thought, will once again rally to deliver free hot meals for thousands of Ottawans in need, with the assistance of the European Union (EU) for this special occasion. But it will be the last time that Food for Thought will be able to cook the meals at its current headquarters, Thali restaurant.

Thali has been the hub where Food for Thought’s Managing Director, Sylvain de Margerie, and chef Joe Thottungal of Coconut Lagoon and their dedicated team of A-list chefs, friends, and volunteers come together as part of the Food for Thought: COVID-19 Response, delivering over 40,000 meals so far. Now they have to find a new home.

Last Friday’s devastating fire at Coconut Lagoon has closed the restaurant indefinitely. Chef Joe has announced that Coconut Lagoon will now temporarily operate from Thali restaurant starting June 2, 2020. Food for Thought was already looking for new locations as the demand for its meals is already at capacity limits at Thali, but now the move is urgent.

“We are facing challenges every day with the COVID-19 crisis,” says Food for Thought’s Managing Director, Sylvain de Margerie. “However, the destruction of Coconut Lagoon, the first restaurant of my friend and cooperator Joe Thottungal, puts us over the top. But both Joe and I are entrepreneurs and strong at heart, we know Coconut Lagoon will be reborn and Food for Thought will be serving many more meals to those in need.”

He adds that Chef Joe - “a real titan” - continues to prepare almost 1,500 meals a day, and the other chefs have vowed to keep on helping “as much as they can”. De Margerie says the group is actively looking for a new home to cook meals that can accommodate increased capacity, as well as space to package the meals for delivery. The team realizes this will entail costs they have not had to shoulder to date – rent payment, hydro, perhaps other utilities and related costs.

“While Ottawans have been generous beyond belief already, we hope they can help us a little further to help those who cannot cook for themselves”, says de Margerie. Food for Thought will be mounting a specific fundraising campaign for this purpose and is appealing for corporate and individual donors, more details can be found at www.foodforthought.cafe

To schedule interviews please contact: Doris de Margerie 613 261 8117