Haute cuisine turns to children with rare diseases: more than 60 Michelin chefs join ChefsForChildren 2026

Malaga, February 3, 2026. -Themagic of gastronomy and solidarity come together once again in ChefsForChildren, a unique event that brings together more than 60 Michelin Star chefs with a common goal: to teach children to eat healthily and support children affected by rare diseases.

Under the slogan “Eating healthy is fun”, this 8th edition will be held at the Anantara Villa Padierna and will feature cooking workshops for children, a gastronomic forum and a charity gala dinner, all in favor of FEDER, Spanish Federation of Rare Diseases, supporting their work in research, visibility and social awareness.

The official presentation of ChefsForChildren has taken place in Malaga, in the framework of the H&T Exhibition (Salón de Innovación en Hostelería), specifically at the stand of Sabor a Málaga, thus consolidating the institutional support to the project. The president of the Diputación de Málaga, Francisco Salado, was in charge of opening the presentation, highlighting the social, solidarity and educational dimension of this unique gastronomic event.

During his speech, the president of the Diputación de Málaga highlighted that:
“ChefsForChildren is an example of how gastronomy can become a powerful tool for social awareness. A project that unites talent, solidarity and commitment to children, and also reinforces the image of Malaga as a first class gastronomic and solidarity destination.”

Every year more and more chefs from all over Spain participate altruistically in this initiative, contributing their talent, commitment and closeness to the little ones. Among the chefs who have already participated in previous editions are: Pedro Subijana (Aquelarre***), Ángel León (Aponiente***), Elena Arzak (Arzak***), Toño Pérez (Atrio***), Eneko Atxa (Azurmendi***), Nacho and Esther Manzano (Casa Marcial***), Jesús Sánchez (Cenador de Amós***), Javier and Sergio Torres (Cocina Hermanos Torres***), Oriol Castro, Eduard Xatruch and Mateu Casañas (Disfrutar***), Paolo Casagrande (Lasarte***), Martín Berasategui (Martín Berasategui***), Paco Morales (Noor***), Paulo Airaudo (Amelia**), Benito Gómez (Bardal**), Pablo González (Cabaña Buenavista**), Mario Sandoval (Coque**), Manuel Costiña (Costiña**), Diego Guerrero (Dstage**), David Yárnoz (El Molino de Urdaniz**), Francis Paniego (El Portal del Echaurren**), Iván Cerdeño (Iván Cerdeño Cigarral del Ángel**), Kiko Moya (L’Escaleta**), Fina Puigdevall and Martina Puigvert (Les Cols**), Fran Martínez (Maralba**), Erlantz Gorostiza (MB**), Paco Pérez (Miramar**), Paco Roncero (Paco Roncero Restaurante**), Pepe Vieira (Pepe Vieira Restaurante**), Ramón Freixa (Ramón Freixa**), Ricard Camarena (Ricard Camarena**), Mario Cachinero (Skina**), Ignacio Echapresto (Venta Moncalvillo**), Vicky Sevilla (Arrels*), Rafa Soler (Audrey’s*), Artur Martínez (Aurt*), David Olivas (Back*), Pedro Sánchez (Bagá*), Javier Aranda (Gaytán*), José Carlos García (José Carlos García Restaurante*), Dani Carnero (Kaleja*), Óscar Molina (La Gaia*), Begoña Rodrigo (La Salita*), Javier Estévez (La Tasquería*), Sergi Arola (LAB*), María Gómez (Magoga*), Israel Ramos (Mantúa*), Mauricio Giovanini (Messina*), Álvaro Garrido (Mina*) Carlos Maldonado (Raíces*), Ricardo Sanz (Ricardo Sanz Wellington*), Diego Gallegos (Sollo*), Hugo Muñoz (Ugo Chan*), Óscar Velasco (Velasco Abellá*), Diego del Río (Boho Club), Domi Vélez (El Horno de Vélez), Alberto Chicote (Omeraki) and Luis Valls.

In addition, this edition also includes Andrés Torres (Casa Nova*), Miguel Ángel de la Cruz (La Botica de Matapozuelos*), Manu Franco (La Casa de Manolo Franco*), María José Martínez (Lienzo*), Samuel Naveira (MuNa*), Julián Mármol (Yugo The Bunker*) and Andrea Tumbarello (Don Giovanni), further reinforcing the solidarity and gastronomic nature of the project.

In 2026, ChefsForChildren collaborates with FEDER, Spanish Federation for Rare Diseases, a non-profit organization that works to improve the quality of life of people with rare diseases and their families. It represents more than 400 associations throughout Spain, promoting research, inclusion and access to resources and treatments. Its work gives a voice to those who live with these pathologies and promotes solidarity to build a fairer and more equitable society.

Rosa Elba González, member of the board of directors of FEDER and member of the Spanish Association of Cornelia de Lange Syndrome, has highlighted that: “For children with rare diseases and their families, feeling accompanied by referents of haute cuisine is a very valuable educational opportunity. Promoting healthy eating habits from childhood is key to present and future well-being, especially in children living with complex pathologies. From FEDER we are deeply grateful that more than 60 top chefs put their talent at the service of our cause, helping us to give visibility to rare diseases and to remember that behind every diagnosis there are children who want to learn, enjoy and dream like any other. Research is fundamental, but so is building a more empathetic, inclusive and committed society, and ChefsForChildren is a magnificent example of this.”