The Project
Nourishing change
one meal at a time
About the project
Food for Soul is a non-profit organization founded by chef Massimo Bottura and Lara Gilmore with a clear mission: to turn food waste into an opportunity for inclusion and social change.
We believe that food has a value that goes beyond nourishment: it is a tool for creating connection, restoring dignity, and building stronger communities.
We work with chefs, partners, and volunteers around the world to rescue surplus food and transform it into nutritious, high-quality meals, served in our Refettorios and other social hospitality projects.
Refettorios are not just dining halls: they are places of beauty and welcome, where everyone can feel seen and respected. Here, food becomes a vehicle for change, capable of uniting people and challenging inequality.
Our mission goes beyond rescuing food: we aim to raise awareness, educate, and inspire cultural change so that the value of food is no longer measured only in economic terms, but in social and environmental impact.
Together, we can build a more sustainable and inclusive future, one meal at a time.
Our guiding principles
Our core values are shown within our Guiding Principles which help to define our impact, and embody everything we do as an organization:
Power of Beauty
Beauty can inspire hope, restore dignity, and transform lives. It is at the core of every space we create, every action we take, and every meal we serve.
Value of Hospitality
Hospitality is more than service: its connection, care, and respect. To serve others is a noble act and our programs foster welcoming environments where everyone feels seen, valued, and included.
Quality of Ideas
We are stronger together and collaboration fuels innovation. By working with a range of experts from diverse fields, we create spaces and experiences that inspire learning, exchange, and action. Together, we can drive meaningful change.
Beauty unfolds all forms
Beauty is a universal language, whose power can inspire and unveil hidden potential.
Moments of beauty – be it art, design, music or an act of kindness – can take people out of their daily experience and help them to connect with each other.
By creating spaces and experiences that actively celebrate the equal right of all to beauty, Refettorios encourage people to embrace empathy, and to form human connections that can be powerful vehicles for change.
Refettorio Ambrosiano
Led by Caritas Ambrosiana and Davide Rampello, this space was reimagined through a Polytechnic University of Milan design, merging art and architecture.
Where Art Meets Culture
Five artists and 15 designers helped transform the space of the Refettorio Ambrosiano into an inspiring cultural place by donating artworks and furniture.
Porta dell’Accoglienza
Mimmo Paladino’s Porta dell’Accoglienza welcomes all, symbolizing community commitment and the promise that no one is ever left behind.
Refettorio Gastromotiva
Refettorio Gastromotiva, a collaboration led by Chef Massimo Bottura and Gastromotiva, was designed by METRO Arquitetos Associados in just 55 days. The space’s translucent walls glow from the outside, an emblematic symbol of hope and inclusion in Rio’s Lapa District.
The Language of Art
Refettorio Gastromotiva blends industrial authenticity with artistry, featuring works by JR and Pas Schafer alongside designs by METRO and the Campana Brothers.
Last Supper by Vik Muniz
Crafted with ephemeral chocolate syrup and immortalized in photography, this artwork bridges Milan and Brazil, paying homage to the origins of the first Refettorio and Brazil’s iconic cacao culture.
Refettorio Felix
Designed by Ilse Crawford’s Studioilse, Refettorio Felix combines soft lighting, rich colors, and natural elements to create a warm, intimate environment for both comfort and community.
A Space for Connection
At Refettorio Felix, the invisible potential of people, places, and objects comes to light, like old spoons transformed into a lamp by London artist Margit Wittig. Paper lanterns on the vaulted ceiling add warmth, creating an intimate and welcoming space.
Refettorio Paris
In Refettorio Paris, floating clouds by artist JR bring nature to the crypt of La Madeleine, while Nicola Delon and Ramy Fischler transformed its interiors with elegance and meaning.
Art on the Table
French artists JR and Prune Nourry designed plates with Bernardaud, celebrating hands as symbols of offering and connection—a perfect blend of art and hospitality.
Refettorio Mérida
Preserving the original tiled floors at Refettorio Mérida honors Mexico’s 16th-century ceramic tradition, welcoming guests with warmth and cultural pride.
Refettorio Made in Cloister
A restored convent becomes a creativity hub, blending Mimmo Paladino’s designs with the craftsmanship of Neapolitan artisans in a union of ethics and aesthetics.
Refettorio OzHarvest
Designed to honor Australia’s natural beauty, the space integrates earthy tones and Indigenous art, celebrating the land and its rich cultural heritage.
Refettorio Geneva
Contemporary elegance meets functionality, with natural light, wooden accents, and a neon artwork by Mai-Thu. A space designed for creativity, culinary excellence, and connection.
A Gateway of Creativity
John Armleder’s vibrant artwork takes center stage against geometric blue wallpaper by Mai-Thu, creating a striking entryway that harmonizes with the Refettorio’s elegant design.
Refettorio Modena
The dining room at Refettorio Modena features murals by Luca Zamoc and Luca Lattuga, illustrating the legend of San Geminiano, who shielded the city from Attila’s invasion with a mystical fog—a tribute to Modena’s history and community spirit.
Find out more
Refettorio projects
Where food becomes care, spaces become community, and action drives change.
Our Impact
Behind every meal is a chance to restore dignity, shift behaviors, and build a more sustainable future.
Google Arts & Culture
Discover stories, ideas and impact from Food for Soul – anytime, anywhere.