Miami Chef Karla Hoyos Remembers World Central Kitchen Friends Killed in Gaza
And Eula is a Frenchie without a home
For most chefs, the act of feeding people isn’t just a way to make money — it’s a way of life.
So when Karla Hoyos was asked by Jose Andres some years ago to leave Miami to travel to some of the most dangerous places on earth, the chef and owner of Tacotomia at Julia & Henry’s in Downtown Miami said yes.
Hoyos flew to the Bahamas after Hurricane Dorian decimated the islands of Abaco and Grand Bahama, turning a kitchen at Atlantis Paradise Island into a space where World Central Kitchen could help prepare meals to be flown to the nearby islands. She spent time in Madrid during COVID to help prepare meals for first responders.
When Ukraine fell under attack, Hoyos was at the Ukraine/Poland border to greet arriving refugees with a cup of hot cocoa, giving them comfort and compassion with that one gesture.
And, right before she was to open her dream restaurant, Tacotomia, a 7.8 magnitude earthquake struck Turkey and Syria. Hoyos jumped on the next flight to Turkey to help set up a kitchen.
During all those weeks and months in cities crushed by wars and natural disasters, Hoyos forged deep friendships with her fellow chefs and humanitarians.
Two of those friends were killed yesterday in Gaza. As news leaked through social media first, then was confirmed by WCK, my first thought was to make sure Karla was safe: Her body was, but her heart had broken.
While the cold hard facts came in — seven WCK team members were killed in the strike from various countries including Australia, Poland, United Kingdom, a dual citizen of the U.S. and Canada, and one local person — Hoyos posted heartbreaking tributes to her two friends that were lost.
Hoyos called Damian Sobol, the Polish national who was killed in the bombing, “one of the most noble, kind, and respectful humans you would ever meet.”
Hoyos shared a lengthy tribute to her friend, Zomi Frankcom, the young Australian who was killed. “All you wanted to do was to help, to make the world a little better, to make an impact, to feed the needed. The world lost some of the best humans yesterday.”
It’s safe to say that the combined hearts of the Miami culinary world are with the people of World Central Kitchen and their families. The organization has announced it will cease operations in Gaza. Several other NGOs have announced the same. Horrific!
Eula is Still at MDAS
If you’re looking for a Frenchie — Eula is still at MDAS waiting for a home. This sweet one-year-old nugget can also be fostered if you have commitment issues. Her number is A2572589 and her kennel number is B15. Bisou!
Batch Gastropub is the sponsor of our dog adoption section. If you adopt one of these guys (or any dog because of Miami Checklist), Batch will supply you with a gift card for the amount of the adoption from MDAS. So get a dog, get a burger…or something like that. Contact me for details.
Eula is one of hundreds of dogs available at Miami-Dade Animal Services. If you’re looking to bring a new best friend into the family, this is the place to start your search. Adoptions are only done in person, and you should bring a current picture ID and proof of current address. Dogs older than four months carry a $65 adoption fee and puppies are $85 — all dogs come home fully vaccinated, are dewormed, and have been spayed/neutered. In other words, adopting a dog is the best deal in Miami.
Get French kisses at Miami-Dade Animal Services. 3599 NW 79 Ave., Doral; 305-884-1101; miamidade.gov/animals
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