Nora Fitzgerald Belahcen; Damián Diaz and Othón Nolasco: The Pioneers Bettering Society Through Food and Respect

50 Best announced its Champions of Change 2023, heroes of hospitality who are creating a positive change for their communities through their work. Launched in 2021 to celebrate the industry’s unsung gamechangers, in 2023 the Champions of Change accolade is given to one individual and one duo who are driving meaningful action and creating blueprints for a better hospitality sector.

These awards, part of the forthcoming The World’s 50 Best Restaurants 2023 programme, form a key pillar in the organisation’s ever-evolving ‘50 Best for Recovery’ initiative.

Nora Fitzgerald Belahcen, Damián Diaz, and Othón Nolasco are the deserving recipients of the Champions of Change 2023 award, presented by 50 Best Restaurants.

These exceptional individuals and duo have been recognized for their outstanding contributions to their communities and the restaurant industry as a whole. The Champions of Change accolade is an integral part of 50 Best’s ongoing “50 Best for Recovery” initiative, aimed at supporting and highlighting the remarkable work of those who are effecting positive change.

Nora Fitzgerald Belahcen, the founder of Amal in Marrakech, Morocco, has dedicated herself to empowering disadvantaged women through the medium of hospitality. Since its establishment in 2013, Amal has been training Arab women, often facing hardship and social exclusion, in the culinary arts and related skills. Through the organization, these women have found not only professional opportunities but also personal growth and a sense of belonging. Amal now operates a thriving restaurant and catering business, with many graduates securing long-term careers in the hospitality sector or starting their own food-related enterprises. Additionally, Amal’s latest project, the Sign Language Café, is staffed by deaf women, serving as a model for deaf-run businesses and promoting inclusivity.

Othón Nolasco and Damián Diaz, based in Los Angeles, have been recognized for their non-profit food security project, No Us Without You LA. As veterans of the hospitality sector, Nolasco and Diaz were acutely aware of the challenges faced by undocumented workers who play a vital role in the food and beverage industry. No Us Without You LA offers food relief and advisory services to the families of undocumented immigrants working in the sector, who do not have access to government assistance. What started as feeding 30 struggling workers has grown into supporting 700 families per month, with the help of dedicated volunteers. Nolasco and Diaz have even transformed an old dirt lot into an organic garden, providing fresh produce for their food packages and acting as a fundraising event space.

The Champions of Change awards highlight the incredible impact that these individuals and duos have had on their communities, the lives of those they serve, and the restaurant industry as a whole. In addition to the recognition they receive, 50 Best Restaurants will make financial donations to support the winners’ causes, allowing them to further develop their initiatives and contribute to long-term progress in the restaurant and food sphere.

These initiatives not only address immediate needs but also foster social impact and promote positive change within the industry. By empowering disadvantaged women and underserved communities, Nora Fitzgerald Belahcen, Damián Diaz, and Othón Nolasco are setting a remarkable example for their peers and inspiring others to make a difference. Their work embodies the values of compassion, inclusivity, and resilience, demonstrating the transformative power of food in shaping lives and fostering community connections.

As part of the lead-up to The World’s 50 Best Restaurants 2023 event in Valencia, Spain, the Champions of Change awards serve as a testament to the importance of recognizing and celebrating those who are spearheading meaningful action within the hospitality sector. The gala awards ceremony, to be held on 20th June at the Les Arts opera house, will provide a platform to honor these exceptional individuals and further amplify their impact.

Through initiatives like the Champions of Change awards, 50 Best Restaurants continues to support and champion positive change within the industry, inspiring others to contribute to a more inclusive, sustainable, and socially responsible future for the restaurant and food community.