‘Bean Queen’ Ali is Food Advocate

Cork Chef Ali Honour, who has been working in the industry for 30 years, has embarked on a new mentoring, motivational and advocacy role with the aim of helping other food businesses, individuals and community groups operate in a more sustainable way and bridge the gap between farm and fork.  

In her new consultancy, Ali provides practical strategies and expertise in areas such as food waste, carbon footprint, nutrition and environmental impact. Through her work as a spokesperson and advocate, Ali is making it her mission to transform the culinary landscape by promoting sustainable, zero waste, nutritious and delicious food choices that are good for people and the planet. A self-proclaimed “Bean Queen”, she is already an advocate for the “Beans is How” campaign which has an aim of doubling bean consumption by 2028. “Beans is How” is facilitated by the SDG2 Advocacy Hub.

She hopes to change mindset to food waste, sustainable thinking and nutrition importance, to help reduce food footprint and increase more plant-based eating, especially “future 50 foods” to our diets.

Another big component of Ali’s food philosophy is centred around encouraging both businesses and individuals to include more beans in their daily diet in an effort to adapt to climate change, mitigate further damage, promote climate friendly crops and promote sustainable eating.

She will also be taking the campaign to schools and companies with workshops on sustainable practices, zero waste and, of course, beans!

Ali is a member of The Chefs’ Manifesto, a chef-led project that brings together over 1250 chefs from around the world to explore how they can actively help deliver a sustainable food system. She represents the network at events in the UK, Ireland, Barcelona and the United Arab Emirates.