This Saturday, August 22, “Chile Cooks for Chile,” an initiative promoted by TECHO-Chile and PlaceresChile will take place, aiming to unite the national gastronomy in a great day of solidarity.
The invitation is simple: leave home, choose a participating establishment, enjoy their solidarity proposal and turn that consumption into a concrete contribution.
Throughout Saturday, each participating venue will have its own way to join. Some will offer a dish specially chosen for the campaign; others will include products, drinks, or desserts; and some will allocate part or all of their menu to the initiative. Thus, the scene changes depending on where you are and what you feel like eating.
The campaign brings together very different gastronomic proposals, from Chilean cuisine and fish to sushi, hamburgers, pizza, tacos, coffee, ice cream, and cocktails. And although Santiago concentrates much of the options, solidarity is also cooked in the regions.
There are participating establishments in Constitución, Pichilemu, Valdivia, Valparaíso, San Pedro de Atacama, Ovalle, San Pedro de la Paz, and Concepción, among other locations that are part of this national call.
In Santiago, the gastronomic route begins in different neighborhoods and communes.
Among the already confirmed options is Barra de Pickles, which will have three proposals for the day: the Sanguche x Chile, with marraqueta, smoked pork loin ham, sauerkraut, and homemade mayo; a Mix of fried items for Chile, with vegetables and pickles in tempura accompanied by sweet chili sauce; and a Disaronno Fizz, prepared with Disaronno, lemon juice, and tonic water.
Japanese cuisine lovers will also have multiple options. ARIGATO will participate with its Nigiri Love, SNK17 with a Creative Maki, NAOKI with varieties of sake, and Naoki GO with nigiris of different varieties.
For those who want to explore flavors from the sea, the options are numerous. Bruma will offer an Acevichado Crunchy, while La Tasca de Altamar proposes a true shrimp tour: national shrimp with mayo, shrimp ceviche, shrimp pancakes, pil-pil shrimp, and Thai shrimp.
Also participating will be Pulpería Santa Elvira, with its Conger Stew, and Chipe Libre, with catch-of-the-day ceviche.
Additionally, in Las Condes, Ambrosia Bistro joins the day with its proposal “Cesar Ambrosia,” a new alternative for those who want to be part of this solidarity gastronomic tour.
The day will also be an opportunity to reconnect with deeply Chilean flavors.
Pristino Restaurante will participate with “The Chilean Dish,” while La Flaca, Cocinería Chilena will offer two classics: charquicán with fried egg and beans with noodles.
In Ñuñoa, Restaurante Don Peyo joins with another classic of Chilean cuisine: Beans with Noodles, bringing to the table a preparation that also speaks of memory and tradition.
At Gino Lautaro, the solidarity dish will be Nonna Renata’s Pantrucas, and Bocanáriz joins with its blood sausage croquettes.
For those seeking fiery flavors, Diablo Vino y Fuego will have an Anticucho Fierrito, while Fiero will offer Osso Buco.
And in Valdivia, the invitation will be at Das Haus 1959, which will participate with its completa, italiana, luco, or special hamburgers.
In Constitución, Los Olivos joins with a dessert proposal, while in Valparaíso, María María will offer grilled broccoli and coffee of the day, and La Caperucita y el Lobo, sautéed mussels.
And in Ovalle, Fuente Toscana will also be part of this day, with its Pesto Ovallino proposal, adding a new regional flavor to this solidarity table.
If the scene calls for something more informal, there is also plenty to choose from. Tonny Pizzeria will have Margherita Pizza, while La Fabbrica will offer its Caprese Pizza and Toni Lautaro, its PICZA Prieta Tinta.
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In Providencia, NEKO-SAN joins with an Egg Sando, while La Popular Pizza y Pan SpA will participate with its Basic Bread, incorporating new alternatives for those who want to take a break, eat something tasty, and be part of the solidarity day.
In La Reina, China Village will participate with Chinese Dumplings, while in San Pedro de la Paz, Taller Macera joins with a Pastrami Pesto Sandwich, expanding the solidarity gastronomic route to the south.
Burger fans can choose among the proposal of Beasty Butchers, with its Royale with Cheese, Das Haus 1959, with its different versions, and Uncle Fletch, with its Original 1st Cheese Burger.
And from Concepción, Carnaval Burger y Mercado joins with its El Paso Texas Burger, bringing the solidarity day also to the south of the country.
And for those who prefer Mexican flavors, Sánchez Tacos joins with a Quesa Birria.
Gastro Atelier also joins from its event center in Vitacura, expanding the participation of gastronomy in this national day.
The scene does not end at lunch. At Felix Café the Solidarity Espresso will be available, while Adobe al Paso, in San Pedro de Atacama, will offer different varieties of coffee.
For ice cream lovers, Heladería del Adobe, also in San Pedro de Atacama, will have double scoops of different varieties.
And if the plan is to end the day with something sweet, there will be Wonderlust, with its Chocolate Frog Wetland; Gran Café Debaines, with Raspberry Meringue Tart; and Los Olivos, in Constitución, with its dessert proposal.
In Vitacura, Carnal also joins the day with an Apple Crumble, a sweet alternative to continue this tour of solidarity proposals.
There will also be options for toasting. Restaurant Adobe, in San Pedro de Atacama, will offer different varieties of Pisco Sour, while Siam Thai will participate with a special Siam x TECHO proposal, which includes a platter, two cocktails, and a dessert.
For those thinking of escaping Santiago over the weekend, Pichilemu also joins the day.
MAREAL will bring the initiative to its entire gastronomic proposal: during Saturday, its entire menu will be part of the solidarity action. One more reason for this weekend’s scene to have destination and purpose.
The campaign has a dual purpose. On one hand, to raise funds to support families affected by emergencies. On the other, to mobilize gastronomy again, inviting people to go out, explore their neighborhoods, and consume in restaurants and businesses.
“The gastronomic sector has a huge spirit of solidarity,” says Carola Silva, founder of PlaceresChile. The invitation, she explains, is that “from the neighborhood café to the largest restaurant” can participate and that people go out to eat with meaning again.
The funds raised will be delivered to TECHO-Chile, which will manage them to support fieldwork with affected communities. This includes the deployment of technical teams and volunteers, needs assessment, delivery of habitability kits and protective supplies, repairs, and emergency housing solutions.
“When emergencies hit the most vulnerable families, the response must come from the whole country,” states Gonzalo Rodríguez, executive director of TECHO-Chile.
The invitation of “Chile Cooks for Chile” is to leave home, visit participating establishments, enjoy their solidarity alternatives, and turn an everyday experience into concrete help.
