
By Emily Tannenhauser
Marc Murphy said it’s going to be “tricky” cooking for his family of four when he returns home. “I’m used to making stews for 1,500 people,” he laughed.
Murphy is in Poland, cooking for Ukrainian refugees; he’s been there a month and plans to stay another. A well-known New York City chef (Windows on the World), restaurateur (Landmarc), TV personality (Chopped), and Upper West Sider, he’s taking time off from a very full life to work for World Central Kitchen (WCK).
WCK is a nonprofit that goes to emergencies, disasters, and crises and cooks for those who need to be fed. It was started by Chef José Andrés, known as much for his philanthropy as his cuisine, in 2010, after an earthquake devastated Haiti.
Murphy knows Andrés through the restaurant industry. “We were together at an event in South Beach in February,” he recalls, “and José gathered all the chefs together and told us what WCK was doing. In March, I had another gig in Tallahassee, and on the plane home, I was reading the news and the war was just starting up. I called my wife and said, “I think I need to go. I have a skill and maybe I can help.”
In addition to his wife in New York City, Murphy has two children — two freshmen — one in high school, one in college. Talking about telling them his plan was the only time he choked up.
“I said to them, I know how to run kitchens. I know how to cook food, and having what I have, I should use it for good. As a parent, I think showing my kids that this is what humans do for humanity, helping people, is probably one of the best lessons for them, that this is what you do.”

Murphy arrived in Poland on March 9th and went straight to WCK. “They have this big space and, in five days, they built a makeshift kitchen,” he said. “I just jumped in and started cooking. I was on the original team. Lots of different volunteers, different chefs, have come through. This is our charity. WCK also hires local people to help run things, so we have local drivers and dispatchers, things like that.”
Does he feel safe?
“Let’s face it, I live in New York City and I still read the Post,” he answered. “We’re not doing that great ourselves, right? [It was shortly after the Brooklyn subway shooting.] And I’m in Poland, not Ukraine. It’s about an hour away. I mean, I don’t know how they launch those fricking rockets. Do they miss a lot? Maybe they do.”
He doesn’t spend time wondering; he returns to the subject about which he is passionate. “You know, we can’t just make anything. We’re trying to please a palette that’s used to a certain type of cuisine. We’re trying to make the food taste good and get the right amount. We’re always trying to do it better. Yesterday, for example, we heard there was a two-and-a-half kilometer line of cars to get back into Ukraine. So we loaded up the van with sandwiches, sweets, and water, and we just drove along the line handing them out.”
Maybe it was the thought of sandwiches that prompted him to add, “I can’t wait to get back to New York and have, you know, bacon, egg, and cheese!”
This piece gives readers a glimpse into a different side of current world events, that shows humanity at its best. We need this kind of uplifting news, these days!
I love that you are using your unique skills to make things a tad easier for the refugees. Make sure those local chefs / refugees learn from you so they can keep it going once you leave! Stay safe.
Thank you Marc – good on you! Keep up the good work, and get home safely!
Wonderful, thank you for covering this!
I was speaking to a patient last night about how he might be better of by decreasing his watching and reading of news because of the lens it is currently run through – that is, “What to be afraid of” and “Who to be angry at.”
We need more stories like this!!!!
This is wonderful work. Is there a link to how we can contribute?
To donate to World Central Kitchen: https://wck.org/
Looking for the helpers!!
Kudos and much success to Marc Murphy,
And thank you West Side Rag.
Marc Murphy, a good man indeed!
I love Marc Murphy on TV. Good for him and WCK. WCK and Chef Andres deserve Nobel peace prize.
Totally agree with you that Chef Andres deserves a Nobel Peace Award, though he would probably refuse it or only accept it to bring more recognition to his cause. Kudos to Marc Murphy for stepping up as well. The world needs more people like them.
Great idea about Chef Andres! And thank you, Chef Murphy!
It’s good to know stories like that and the news show some of them every other day. But journalism is mainly about what is not going right in the world, your country and your city. You must talk about and show the horror that a war brings to Humanity. Everyday.
Thank you so very much, Chef Murphy. You are truly doing something important, necessary, and so valuable. I will do the best to do what I can here – with you as a great example!
Thank you to Emily Tannenhauser and the West Side Rag for this wonderful and moving piece about Marc Murphy–I salute his deep commitment and critically important efforts to help and sustain Ukrainian refugees–he and the team of “Chefs for Ukraine” are an inspiration and set a shining example. Reading details of his intense, vital work led me to make a donation to José Andrés’ World Central Kitchen–a truly amazing and heroic organization.
Hats off to you my friend. You are quite a man.
Hey Marc,
You’re a real champion and a hero. We’ve always admired your work. The world needs more people like you!
What a lift to read some news about a great-hearted person and things going well. All the best to Marc and the wonderful Mr. Andres, who started this beautiful movement.
Great job Marc! I watch you all the time and you are doing the right thing and your children, will always remember and learn from your stepping out and above!
Damaras Hopfenspirger
God bless you Mark Murphy and all the other volunteers.
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