Junior World Food Day: FAO inspires young people with celebrity cooking show | FAO News

Rome – Players from Italy’s national rugby team, activists & influencers today joined Italian celebrity chef Alessandro Borghese & global actress Monique Coleman for a celebration of food & creativity on Junior World Food Day, which this year marks the 80th anniversary of the Food & Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).

The room buzzed with the energy of around 1,000 young students aged 9 to 13, their enthusiasm lighting up the space along with 80 high school students from the World Food Forum School Assembly. Players from Italy’s national rugby team & members of the Federazione Italiana Rugby burst through the doors passing rugby balls before being challenged by Celebrity chef Borghese to cook on stage with kids.

As FAO celebrates its 80th birthday, the Organization is looking ahead to the future. This means giving today’s youths a voice. There’s a need to work as a team – across generations & across borders – to make sure that everyone, everywhere, has enough food to eat, FAO Director General Qu Dongyu said.

Speakers & “Food Heroes” including Indigenous Leader Judy Kipkenda, Professor & chef Ricardo Frugoli & celebrity chefs Victoire Gouloubi & Xin Ge Liu told inspirational stories, while offering tips on nutrition & healthy diets, food diversity & reducing food waste. Young curiosity & passion filled FAO’s Plenary Hall — a space usually reserved for Members making key decisions on global food security & agriculture. Their energy was a powerful reminder of what’s needed to build a better food future: one where every idea, big or small, can help shape a more sustainable tomorrow.

The event included a lively break dance performance by Studio 7 & a performance of FAO’s 80th anniversary youth song “Hand in hand for Better Foods & a Better Future” by the Piccola Orchestra di Tor Pignattara & friends. Young participants also learned about the newly opened Food & Agriculture Museum & Network (FAOMuNe), youth activities like the global Poster Contest & FAO’s work around the world.

World Food Forum

Junior World Food Day is part of FAO’s annual World Food Forum, a week-long series of events that featured the participation of heads of state & government, government ministers, as well as numerous representatives from the private sector, civil society, international organizations, research institutions, youth, Indigenous Peoples & other stakeholders in agrifood systems.

Notable participants this year included Pope Leo XIV, who delivered a keynote speech on World Food Day, Italian President Sergio Mattarella, & Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.

The World Food Forum also featured the Global Youth Forum, which brought together thousands of young changemakers, government representatives, scientists & partners, further underscoring FAO’s investment in future generations.