WFP announces Chef Willment Leong as Goodwill Ambassador
In his new role, Chef Willment will support WFP’s mission to end hunger at a time when an estimated 69 million people in Asia are facing crisis levels of hunger. The region is also home to more than half of the world’s chronically food insecure children.
“WFP’s work is deeply personal to me – it inspires me,” said Chef Willment. “A few years ago, I watched three children eat scraps from a stranger’s plate just to survive. Today, I stand ready to raise my voice, use my passion and platforms to support the vital work WFP does to bring food to those who need it most.”
Chef Willment is the Chairman of World Chefs Without Borders[1], a global humanitarian network of chefs that supports people affected by natural disasters, and raises awareness and funds for humanitarian aid. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he and his teams helped deliver hot meals to vulnerable people in Bangkok and throughout the region. He recently mobilised chefs to distribute meals to communities hit by typhoons in the Philippines and families affected by floods across Southeast Asia.
Beyond emergency response, he invests in training young chefs and giving them international exposure - including through his role as a judge on the Netflix reality series The Restaurant War Thailand, where he mentors and evaluates chefs – most of whom street food vendors - while showcasing the next generation of culinary talent.
“We are delighted to welcome Chef Willment as our Goodwill Ambassador,” said Samir Wanmali, WFP Regional Director for Asia and the Pacific. “His strong voice will be crucial to rally support for the people we serve and champion innovative, partnership‑driven solutions to tackle hunger and malnutrition in this region.”
The World Food Programme collaborates with governments, partners, and communities to deliver life-saving food assistance, strengthen supply chains, and build resilience so families can withstand future shocks.
# # #
NOTES TO EDITORS
About UN Goodwill Ambassadors
United Nations Goodwill Ambassadors are high-profile individuals who have committed themselves to helping the United Nations and its specialized agencies focus worldwide attention on pressing global issues that are close to their hearts. These prominent public figures volunteer for their time, talent, and passion to raise awareness of UN efforts to improve the lives of billions of people everywhere. WFP Goodwill Ambassadors are designated by the WFP Executive Director and approved by the United Nations Secretary-General.
About WFP
The United Nations World Food Programme is the world’s largest humanitarian organization saving lives in emergencies and using food assistance to build a pathway to peace, stability and prosperity for people recovering from conflict, disasters and the impact of climate change.
Follow us on X, formerly Twitter, via @WFP_AsiaPacific
[1] World Chefs Without Borders is a humanitarian initiative launched by World Chefs association https://worldchefs.org/