In Milan, a group of passionate cooks has turned their love for food into a solidarity project.
Almost by chance, this volunteer collective has become a reference point for events that delight the taste buds while being entirely charitable, with 100% of the funds raised going directly to charitable organizations.
We had the opportunity to meet the founders of Cuochi Ma Buoni, a close-knit group of enthusiasts of Ottolenghi-style cuisine, born in Milan. They promote solidarity in an accessible and inclusive way through unmissable events that combine good food, conviviality, and charity.
Who are the Cuochi Ma Buoni, and how did this project come about?
“Cuochi Ma Buoni came to life almost by chance from the meeting of food lovers who wanted to make a tangible difference. Initially, we were just a Telegram group created by food writer Sara Porro and cook Myriam Sabolla in early 2022 to share recipes inspired by Yotam Ottolenghi’s cuisine. The group, named Ottolenghi Mutual Aid, quickly grew to over 2,500 members, sparking an idea: why not transform this passion into a way to help those in need? The name 'Cuochi Ma Buoni' was suggested by Martina Liverani, a food and wine journalist, and it received a standing ovation in a social media poll. Everything started in March 2022, during the crisis of the war in Ukraine, when PD deputy Lia Quartapelle contacted Sara to organize a fundraising dinner. A few weeks later, on March 20, 2022, we held our first sold-out dinner in support of Refugees Welcome. From that moment on, the project never stopped, continuing with other successful charity events.”
Who makes up the Cuochi Ma Buoni team?
“The Cuochi Ma Buoni group is a diverse team that spans generations and professions. Among the founding members are Sara Porro, Luna Ferrari, and Myriam Sabolla, supported by about ten others, including Ludovico Spada, born in 1995 and the youngest member of the leadership team, and Patrizia Verrazzani, 64 years old, a seasoned journalist connected to the publishing world. What makes this project particularly fascinating is its cross-generational nature, with members aged between 25 and 70, creating a rich synergy of experiences and perspectives.”
Who was the first event for?
“Our first charity dinner took place on March 20, 2022, and it sold out immediately! The funds raised were directed to Refugees Welcome to support the transportation of Ukrainian refugees to Milan. The Ukrainian community in Milan is very strong, and our goal was to offer concrete help. Seeing the enthusiasm and the response from people motivated us to keep going. Shortly after, on April 10, 2022, we organized a barbecue, and once again, all available spots were filled. What makes Cuochi Ma Buoni special is precisely this: the human warmth and active participation of people who want to make a difference.”
How did the project evolve from these initial events to the establishment of the solidarity fund?
“After the initial successes, we took a break to consider how we could give continuity to the project. In November 2022, we resumed with a dinner at the Molce Atelier in Dergano for a civic crowdfunding campaign. If we raised at least €20,000, the city would match the amount, all in support of women victims of violence. The initiative was very successful, and from there, we realized it was time to formalize our commitment. In October 2023, the Cuochi Ma Buoni solidarity fund was established, thanks to a collaboration with the Fondazione di Comunità Milano. This allowed us to create a transparent system, monitored and reported by a recognized philanthropic organization, ensuring maximum transparency for our supporters regarding the use of donations.”
What are the core principles of Cuochi Ma Buoni?
“The most important thing for us is that 100% of the donations go directly to the charitable organizations. We don't withhold anything for organizational expenses. This is possible thanks to the support of companies like Coop Lombardia, which donates ingredients for our dinners, and FIVI (Italian Federation of Independent Winemakers), which provides us with high-quality, artisanal wine. Even the venues that host us offer their spaces for free, such as Progetto Arca, which provided us with Cascina Mirasole for our latest event. It's a radical approach, but it's fundamental to us: every euro donated must reach its destination.”
What makes your dinners unique, and how do you select the menus?
“Our dinners are designed to be inclusive. They typically welcome between 100 and 110 seated guests, and the audience is always very diverse. The menus are always vegetarian, with vegan, lactose-free, or gluten-free options, to cater to everyone, from children to adults with specific dietary needs. We take inspiration from Ottolenghi's cuisine, which is predominantly plant-based but without any compromises. It’s a cuisine for true pleasure-seekers, with abundant use of spices, chili, garlic, and onion. We always prepare hummus, which has become our signature dish, but with a different twist at each event. Additionally, thanks to FIVI, we can always offer excellent wines. There's a great focus on quality and the taste experience, which we want to be memorable.”
What is the future of Cuochi Ma Buoni? Do you have new events planned?
“We have several initiatives in the pipeline for the future. Last June, we organized a dinner for Action Against Hunger, and we plan to continue this path in the coming year. This year, as mentioned earlier, we were contacted by the Fondazione di Comunità Milano, which manages an annual budget collected from various private donors, such as law firms or wealthy families wishing to allocate funds to philanthropic purposes. The Foundation assists in creating your own fund, helping you choose recipients and ensuring a transparent reporting system. For us, it was crucial that 100% of the donations reached their destination—a principle we consider radical. Through this fund managed by the Fondazione di Comunità, which usually involves a service fee, we benefited from a free collaboration. They proposed this initiative to us because, through their significant donors, they aim to promote the culture of giving, which aligns perfectly with our own mission. We focus not on grand gala dinners, but on dinners accessible to everyone, with a minimum donation of €50. All of us work on a volunteer basis: we are not an association but a group of volunteers supporting causes we choose together.
Currently, we are limited to the events we organize here in Milan, but if a well-defined project and someone willing to cover the expenses came along—like our official partner Coop Lombardia does for purchases and logistics in Milan—we could consider other options. However, we remain deeply rooted in the Milanese area.
Our dream for 2025 is to organize four major events a year and two smaller ones, such as the solidarity aperitifs we are planning in collaboration with the Rise Live Bistrot in Vimercate. The beneficiaries of our upcoming collections will include: the rights of prisoners, the fight against illegal labor, and support for women and children, particularly from Asilo Mariuccia, a historic Milanese institution for victims of abuse founded by Ersilia Bronzini. Ersilia Bronzini was the wife of Luigi Maino and founded this shelter after losing her daughter Maria, known as Mariuccia, to diphtheria at just 17 years old. In memory of Mariuccia, Ersilia created a refuge for girls and women who, at the time, were considered 'lost women,' destined, according to the mentality of the era, to a life of marginalization and prostitution.
We would also love to repeat the event at the Refettorio Ambrosiano, an emblematic and beautifully restored space, dedicated to fighting poverty and restoring dignity and beauty. The goal is to make it a reference point for the community once again, uniting solidarity and culture in a setting that inspires rebirth and inclusion.”
What has been the most moving moment of your journey so far?
Sara Porro, visibly moved, responds: “One of the most touching moments was when we took the stage at the end of our first event. I clearly remember how we felt with the war on Europe’s doorstep. In front of a large audience, I quoted something an educator once said to a mother: 'What do you want to tell your children in the face of the world’s horrors? Look at how many people are helping.' At that moment, I too needed to look at that audience and see how many people had contributed. Seeing how many people came to support the cause was a moment we will never forget. It’s in these moments that we realize the importance of what we’re doing.”
How can people support Cuochi Ma Buoni and participate in your events?
“Everyone is welcome at our events! Besides attending the dinners, anyone can support Cuochi Ma Buoni by donating to our solidarity fund, which is always active. Details are available on our website, and every donation is visible and tracked, with reports on how the funds are used. It’s a transparent system that allows us to continue our commitment and make a difference, event after event, every time.”
Cuochi Ma Buoni is an extraordinary example of how a passion for cooking can become a powerful tool for solidarity. With a strong commitment to transparency and inclusivity, they continue to show that even small gestures can make a big difference and strengthen the sense of community. All that’s left is to look forward to their upcoming events and join them, as each dinner is an opportunity to do good, together.
