The visionary chef behind Copenhagen’s Alchemist is taking his commitment to food innovation and social impact onto the global stage as the newest ambassador for the World Food Programme.
When Rasmus Munk transformed Alchemist into one of the world’s most talked-about dining destinations, he demonstrated that gastronomy could be far more than a culinary experience. Through immersive storytelling, provocative social commentary and relentless innovation, the Danish chef has consistently challenged the boundaries of fine dining. Now, he is bringing that mission to a global humanitarian platform.
The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) has appointed Munk as its newest Goodwill Ambassador, making him the organisation’s first-ever ambassador from the Nordic region.
Widely recognised as one of the most influential chefs of his generation, Munk was named “World’s Best Chef” at The Best Chef Awards in both 2024 and 2025. Beyond Alchemist, he is also the founder of Spora, an innovation centre dedicated to developing sustainable food solutions for a growing global population.
His appointment reflects a natural alignment between his work and the mission of the World Food Programme. Throughout his career, Munk has used food as a vehicle to address societal challenges, from sustainability and food systems to inequality and human wellbeing.
“Feeding a growing population without exceeding our planetary boundaries is a challenge in itself,” says Munk. “Add ongoing conflicts, natural disasters and climate change, and it becomes clear that we must work together to bring relief to millions of people facing hunger and malnutrition.”
The collaboration is not entirely new. In October 2025, Munk launched Serving Change, a month-long fundraising initiative coinciding with World Food Day. The campaign united chefs, food lovers and members of the international gastronomy community to support WFP’s humanitarian efforts.
For the chef, the partnership offers an opportunity to leverage the influence of the global restaurant industry while drawing attention to one of the most pressing challenges of our time. According to the World Food Programme, more than 318 million people worldwide currently face acute hunger.
As Goodwill Ambassador, Munk will use his international platform to raise awareness, mobilise support and advocate for sustainable solutions to food insecurity.
At first glance, the worlds of humanitarian aid and experimental fine dining may seem distant. Yet Andreas Hansen, Nordic Director of the World Food Programme, sees a strong common thread.
Both organisations, he notes, recognise the transformative power of food and its ability to improve lives. Munk’s reach extends far beyond the restaurant industry, offering the potential to engage new audiences at a time when the global food crisis receives less attention than it demands.
His appointment places him among a distinguished group of WFP ambassadors that includes Kate Hudson, Michael Kors, Abel “The Weeknd” Tesfaye, Ons Jabeur and Son Heung-Min.
For years, Rasmus Munk has challenged diners to think differently about food, sustainability and society. His new role with the World Food Programme expands that conversation far beyond the walls of Alchemist.
At a time when hunger, climate change and resource scarcity are increasingly interconnected, Munk’s appointment signals a growing recognition that chefs can play a meaningful role not only in shaping how we eat, but also in addressing how the world feeds itself.
