Chefs Collaborative

CONTACT:

262 Beacon Street
Boston, MA 02116
617-236-5200
chefscollaborative.org

Kelly Dunn, Membership Director

DESCRIPTION:

The Chefs Collaborative (CC) is a national network of more than 1000 people in the food community who promote sustainable cuisine by celebrating the joys of local, seasonal, and artisanal ingredients and cooking. Founded in 1993 and headquartered in Boston, this is the only chef-run organization promoting these values — because only chefs, acting collectively, can counterbalance the deleterious effects of supermarkets and fast-food chains on our food experience, health, science/technology, economy, culture, and ecology.

The values at issue here are not just superior taste and nutrition. There are scientific/technological values — food additives, preservatives, and genetic engineering; economic values — sustaining local agriculture, farms and farmers; cultural values — preserving traditions of artisanship; and ecological values — ensuring sustainability of human habitats, conserving biodiversity, and reducing our impacts on the environment. One of the best examples of CC's work is its recent publication, Seafood Solutions, a buying guide to help chefs make environmentally responsible seafood purchasing decisions.

(2001: HUMAN SERVICES: Well-Being)