December 26, 2022

RACHEL VAUGHN

cooking for World Central Kitchen in Ukraine

Guest Info

Trained as a professional chef and cooking her way around the world as a private chef for over 25 years, who would have thought Rachel Vaughn would find herself on the border of Poland and Ukraine, cooking for refugees fleeing the war? World Central Kitchen asked her to join its team after witnessing her passion for justice, humanity, and food. When she isn’t saving the world, one pierogi at a time, Rachel resides in Bozeman, MT and Martha’s Vineyard, MA as an empty-nester, having raised her two boys.

Show Notes

While working in Poland with World Central Kitchen, Rachel also began supporting a shelter in Ukraine. Direct Effect Action Network, the 501c3 she co-founded, and support from other WCK friends, has covered the shelter’s rent and utilities into 2023; built out a kitchen, bathrooms and laundry room; and provided beds and a study lab for the 30+ kids staying there. Rachel continues her support of the shelter and will be back there soon.

Resources:
Rachel Vaughn (@mvtana) • Instagram photos and videos
rachel.vaughn [at] icloud.com

Direct Effect Action Network
World Central Kitchen
Live from World Central Kitchen | Edible Vineyard
Planting Peace
We Feed People (film)
EMDR
We Fed an Island (Jose Andres)

Rachel’s book recommendations:
Our Lady of Perpetual Hunger: A Memoir (Donovan)
Educated: a Memoir (Westover)
Chasing Chaos: My Decade In and Out of Humanitarian Aid (Alexander)
The Third Plate: Field Notes on the Future of Food (Barber)
Becoming Wild: How Animal Cultures Raise Families, Create Beauty, and Achieve Peace (Safina)