LAHORE: CARE Pakistan and Coca-Cola empowered 8,000 home chef entrepreneurs.
According to the details, on International Chefs Day, The Coca-Cola Foundation and CARE Pakistan marked the successful completion of the Home Chefs Project, a two-year initiative that trained over 8,000 entrepreneurs across eight cities in Pakistan, out of which nearly 7,200 are women.
Implemented by CARE Pakistan with funding from The Coca-Cola Foundation, the project was designed to help aspiring and existing home chefs transform their culinary talent into sustainable business opportunities.
Beyond strengthening culinary expertise, participants received practical training in financial management, digital marketing, business planning, e-commerce, and customer engagement, equipping them with the skills needed to start, grow, and manage successful food enterprises.
The project reached participants in Lahore, Multan, Rawalpindi, Gujranwala, Hyderabad, Karachi, Sialkot, and Islamabad, expanding access to entrepreneurship opportunities for women and aspiring business owners across the country.
“At The Coca-Cola Foundation, we believe that thriving communities are built when people have the opportunity to turn their talents into sustainable livelihoods,” said Carlos Pagoaga, President, The Coca-Cola Foundation.
“That is why we support CARE Pakistan to invest in the potential of aspiring entrepreneurs, particularly women, by helping them strengthen the business, financial, and digital skills needed to grow and sustain their enterprises.
The Home Chefs Project is aimed at advancing economic opportunity and supporting local changemakers who help create lasting impact for their families and communities.”
The initiative concluded with a closing ceremony in Lahore, bringing together participating home chefs, government representatives, development partners, industry stakeholders, and employees from the Coca-Cola system.
Distinguished guests included Saman Rai, Secretary of the Women Development Department, Government of Punjab; Sami Wahid, Vice President of the Pakistan & Afghanistan Region, The Coca-Cola Company; Sunay Sanli, General Manager, Coca-Cola İçecek Pakistan; and representatives from CARE Pakistan.
“For women entrepreneurs, skills are only the beginning. Long-term success also depends on access to markets, financial literacy, networks, and opportunities to grow,” noted Saman Rai.
“Initiatives like the Home Chefs Project help create an enabling environment where women can translate their talents into meaningful and sustainable economic participation.”
Highlighting the journey of the participants, Gull Sadia, Assistant Country Director, CARE Pakistan, stated, “By combining culinary training with practical business, financial, and digital skills, this project has enabled women entrepreneurs to build confidence, strengthen their businesses, and unlock new opportunities for growth.”
Among those recognized was Maria Onaas, founder of Bake My Day, who shared how the training helped her organize her enterprise more professionally and reach new customers.
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Ultimately, the Home Chefs Project demonstrates how targeted skills development and entrepreneurial support can successfully create pathways to economic empowerment and greater financial independence for women across Pakistan.
