Gastromotiva

What Gastromotiva does

Gastromotiva (legal name Associação Incubadora Social Gastromotiva, CNPJ 08.505.223/0001-12) is a Brazilian nonprofit association founded in 2006 by chef and social entrepreneur David Hertz in the Favela do Jaguaré, São Paulo, that uses gastronomy as a vehicle for social transformation. The organization delivers free professional culinary training to low-income youth and adults (family income up to 3 minimum wages, ages 18–35), operates the Refettorio Gastromotiva social restaurant and learning kitchen in Rio de Janeiro (built as a legacy of the 2016 Rio Olympics in partnership with Food for Soul and chef Massimo Bottura), and runs the Cozinhas Solidárias network of 160+ community kitchens led by trained social cooks. It has trained 10,000+ students, served 5.4 million+ meals, and impacted 2.6 million+ people across 9+ Brazilian states and international nuclei in Mexico City and San Salvador.

The organization's core technology is the Plataforma Gastromotiva, an Azure-hosted learning management system for course registration, student records, alumni tracking, and the Conecta Talentos job-matching module connecting graduates with hospitality employers. Operational technology is otherwise conventional (web, social media, email) with proprietary methodology (aproveitamento integral / full ingredient utilization) applied across programs rather than proprietary software. Revenue is sourced from individual and corporate donations (Itaú bank transfers, PIX campaigns such as Todo Dia Gastromotiva and Ceia Para Todos), corporate partnerships (Coca-Cola, Stella Artois/Ambev, JP Morgan, Sodexo, Unilever, Mercado SP, Embratur, Instituto Bia Rabinovich), grants from partner universities (Anhembi Morumbi, Universidade Positivo), and a cross-subsidy commercial lunch service at Refettorio Gastromotiva (R$45 per meal, with 100% of revenue funding solidarity dinners for beneficiaries). All professional training courses are free for qualifying students. The organization is led by founder David Hertz (Ashoka Fellow, TED Senior Fellow, WEF Young Global Leader, UN Food Systems Champion) with a governance council and publishes audited financial statements on its Transparency page.

Name

Gastromotiva

Legal name

Associação Incubadora Social Gastromotiva

Website

https://gastromotiva.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2006

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Gastromotiva is a Brazilian nonprofit founded in 2006 that delivers free professional culinary training to low-income youth, operates the Refettorio Gastromotiva social restaurant in Rio de Janeiro, and runs a 160+ community kitchen network across Brazil, Mexico, and El Salvador, serving vulnerable populations and food-insecure families.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Social Gastronomy Nonprofit Services

NAICS

Community Food Services (624210), Special Food Services (7223)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Retail-Eating & Drinking Places (5810)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYBPAGAEAA

Food Assistance & Food Banks

Business & Public Services/Nonprofit, NGO & Social Services/Social Services & Community Support (Food, Housing, Family)

SECONDARYEDAOAKAA

Professional Culinary Arts (Chef Training)

Education/Vocational, Technical & Trade Education/Culinary Arts, Baking & Food Service Training

SECONDARYEDAOAKAE

Restaurant & Foodservice Operations Management

Education/Vocational, Technical & Trade Education/Culinary Arts, Baking & Food Service Training

SECONDARYTHAJAGAI

Cooking Classes & Chef-Led Workshops

Travel & Hospitality/Tours, Attractions & Experiences/Food & Drink Experiences (Culinary Tours, Tastings, Cooking Classes)

Keywords

• Social gastronomy training
• Culinary professional courses
• Community kitchen programs
• Food insecurity response
• Food waste reduction

Headquarters

HQ city

São Paulo

HQ country

Brazil

HQ region

Latin America

Offices6 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Individual and Corporate Donations: Primary funding source from donations by individuals and corporations. The 'Doe Aqui' (Donate Here) page lists banking details (Itaú bank account) and PIX for contributions. Donation campaigns include 'Todo Dia Gastromotiva' and specific initiatives like 'Ceia Para Todos' (Christmas campaign).
2. Commercial Restaurant Revenue: Revenue from paid lunch service at Refettorio Gastromotiva (R$ 45 per meal). This revenue is entirely directed to fund free dinner service for beneficiaries, making it a cross-subsidy model rather than profit-generating.
3. Corporate Partnership Fees: Sponsorship and partnership arrangements with companies including Coca-Cola, Stella Artois/Ambev, Mercado SP, and others for specific programs, courses, and events.
4. Volunteer Services: Uncompensated volunteer labor in restaurant operations (kitchen and dining room service) reducing operational costs.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Gastromotiva delivers free professional culinary training courses to low-income youth and adults, operates a social restaurant (Refettorio Gastromotiva) that funds solidarity meals through paid lunches, and coordinates a network of community kitchens (Cozinhas Solidárias) to combat food insecurity. The organization also runs food waste reduction education, children's nutrition programs, and a job-matching platform (Conecta Talentos) connecting graduates to hospitality employers.

Product overview

Gastromotiva is a Brazilian NGO using gastronomy as a motor for social transformation since 2006. The organization offers a comprehensive portfolio of social gastronomy products and services centered around its core educational platform of free professional training courses in gastronomy and food & beverage sectors (Formação em Cozinheiro Gastronômico Social, Micronegócios em Gastronomia, Juntas na Mesa e na Liderança, Negócios na Panela, Empreenda: Faça e Venda, Juntas na Mesa e nos Negócios, Formação Básica em Cozinha). This educational ecosystem is supported by the Plataforma Gastromotiva digital platform, which includes the Conecta Talentos talent connection module. The organization operates the Refettorio Gastromotiva flagship social restaurant and learning kitchen, and manages the Cozinhas Solidárias Gastromotiva solidarity kitchen network for emergency food response. Supplementary programs include Diálogos Sobre o Desperdício (food waste education), the food insecurity monitoring program, and Superliga da Comida (children's nutrition education). Seasonal campaigns like Ceia Para Todos extend the organization's reach during holidays.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Refettorio Gastromotiva: A social gastronomic restaurant and culinary school located in Rio de Janeiro's Lapa neighborhood, serving both paying lunch customers and beneficiaries of solidary dinners, opened during the 2016 Olympics as a legacy project.
• Cozinhas Solidárias Gastromotiva
• Conecta Talentos Gastromotiva
• Diálogos Sobre o Desperdício
• Superliga da Comida
• Programa de Monitoramento da Insegurança Alimentar e Nutricional

Products and services

• Free Professional Culinary Training Courses A portfolio of free professional training courses in gastronomy and food & beverage sector for low-income youth and adults, including Formation in Social Gastronomic Cook, Basic Kitchen Formation, Microbusiness in Gastronomy, Juntas na Mesa, Negócios na Panela, and Empreenda: Faça e Venda. Delivered in hybrid online and in-person format across Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, Curitiba, El Salvador, and Manaus, with selection process including group dynamics and individual interviews.
• Refettorio Gastromotiva A social restaurant and learning kitchen located at Rua da Lapa 108, Rio de Janeiro, operating Monday-Friday 11:30-15h. Serves paid lunches (R$45/meal) to the public with menus prepared by rotating renowned guest chefs; all revenue funds free solidarity dinners for people in vulnerable situations. Doubles as a culinary school for course students.
• Cozinhas Solidárias Gastromotiva Emergency community kitchen program providing formation, supplies, logistical support, equipment, and monthly income to microentrepreneurs, social cooks, and collectives in 160+ communities trained by Gastromotiva. Operates as a network of solidarity kitchens providing meals to food-insecure families.
• Plataforma Gastromotiva (with Conecta Talentos) Online platform for course registration, student records, partner network management, and talent connection (Conecta Talentos module) that bridges restaurants and newly trained Gastromotiva graduates with hospitality sector employers. Allows establishments to post vacancies and candidates to apply.
• Diálogos Sobre o Desperdício Educational project featuring ebooks and a web series providing practical tips and activities to help reduce food waste at home, restaurants, and communities.
• Programa de Monitoramento da Insegurança Alimentar e Nutricional A food and nutritional security monitoring program applying the EBIA (Brazilian Food Insecurity Scale) research methodology to diagnose and develop tailored nutritional education actions in territories where Gastromotiva operates.
• Superliga da Comida A food and nutritional education project for children and parents in underserved communities, using playful language to promote healthy eating, real food, environmental care, and childhood obesity prevention.

Quantifiable outcome

• 10,000+ students professionally trained in gastronomy since 2006
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers14 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

22 partnerships are on record, tiered core, minor and flagship.

• Instituto Bia RabinovichcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 27 February 2025Supporting partner for free professional courses including Basic Kitchen Formation. Provides funding and resources for educational programs.
• Mercado SP (Mercado Municipal)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 18 February 2025Partnership to promote sustainable recipes on social media featuring Chef Dona Jô. Initiative promotes conscious food use and waste reduction with recipes utilizing entire ingredients.
• Marsia Taha MohamedcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 November 2024Latin America's Best Chef 2024 (50 Best) cooking at Refettorio. Chef of Gustu restaurant and Arami, promoting Bolivian and Amazonian cuisine.
• Alex Herrera e Gracia Navarro (El Xolo)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 November 2024Chefs from El Salvador recognized by 50 Best, specializing in Caribbean cuisine, cooking at Refettorio Gastromotiva.
• Massimo BotturacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 September 2024World-renowned Italian chef (Food for Soul co-founder) and world's best chef 2016. Key partner in creating Refettorio Gastromotiva and advancing social gastronomy globally.
• Instituto AlokminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 September 2024Sponsoring partner for G20 parallel event Encontro Comunidade Gastromotiva.
• Latam AirlinesminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 September 2024Sponsoring partner for G20 parallel events and community gatherings.
• Cartório 15º Ofício de NotasminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 September 2024Sponsoring partner for G20 parallel events.
• Visit Brasil / RioTur / Prefeitura do RiocoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 September 2024Institutional support partners for G20 events and tourism promotion of social gastronomy.
• Universidade PositivocoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 1 July 2024Partner university in Curitiba contributing facilities and staff for course delivery. Praised for contributing qualified professionals to the hospitality market.
• Instituto AcariquaracoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 July 2024Local partner in Manaus enabling course delivery and community programs in the Amazon region. Partnership for 'Faça e Venda' courses and social gastronomy fairs.
• UltragazminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 July 2024Sponsoring partner for G20 parallel events.
• BMA AdvogadosminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 July 2024Legal firm sponsoring G20 parallel events.
• Coca-Cola BrasilcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 17 June 2024Corporate partnership supporting 'Negócios na Panela' entrepreneurship course. Coca-Cola Latin America leadership participated in student welcoming events and volunteer activities at Refettorio.
• SodexominorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 June 2024Supporting partner for programs in Manaus including the first 'Faça e Venda' course graduation with 16 women and 1 man.
• Stop HungerminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 June 2024International organization supporting food security initiatives that partnered with Gastromotiva for Amazon region programs.
• EmbraturflagshipGTM or Marketing Partner · 22 September 2023Official partnership with Brazil's tourism agency to promote social gastronomy abroad. Leverages Gastromotiva's model as a cultural and tourism attraction, positioning Brazil as a leader in culinary social innovation.
• Stella Artois / Ambev (Pure Gold)flagshipGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2022Partnership including 'Juntas na Mesa' courses for women in gastronomy leadership. Part of 'Entrada Delas' initiative to increase female representation in high gastronomy. Created over 1,000 entrepreneurship spots for women.
• UnileverminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2021Corporate partner supporting volunteer and social programs.
• Food for SoulcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2016Founded by Chef Massimo Bottura (world's best chef 2016), Food for Soul is the core partnership behind Refettorio Gastromotiva. The partnership brings the Refettorio concept to Brazil, creating a social restaurant and training kitchen. Bottura co-created the space with David Hertz during Rio 2016 Olympics. Food for Soul provides methodology, international network, and credibility to the social gastronomy model.
• Alexandra ForbescoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2016Brazilian food journalist and co-creator of Refettorio Gastromotiva, bringing media expertise and gastronomy connections to the project.
• Universidade Anhembi MorumbicoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 1 August 2013Major educational partner providing kitchen labs and facilities for Gastromotiva courses in São Paulo. Students train in university gastronomy center. Long-standing partnership since early years.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• World Central Kitchen: A much larger, established U.S.-based nonprofit providing meals in disaster zones and food-insecure communities worldwide. Comparable in combining chef-driven dignified meals with food-security response, but at significantly greater scale and emergency-response focus.
• TechnoServe: Global nonprofit working with enterprising women and men in the developing world to build competitive farms, businesses and industries — including food and hospitality value chains. Comparable in vocational-skills + entrepreneurship training for low-income populations, though much broader sector focus.
• Stop Hunger: Sodexo's global nonprofit fighting hunger and supporting food-related entrepreneurship, with active programs in Brazil including Manaus. Directly comparable in combining food-security funding with culinary-skills training for vulnerable populations.
• No Kid Hungry / Share Our Strength: U.S. national campaign focused on ending childhood hunger through school meals, nutrition education and culinary training. Comparable mission overlap (food security + education) and corporate-sponsor funding model, but geographically U.S.-focused.

Direct peers

• Ação da Cidadania: Long-standing Brazilian NGO founded by Herbert Levy and led by Betinho, focused on combating hunger and food insecurity in Brazil. Operates a national network of food banks and community kitchens — directly comparable mission and Brazilian territorial scope.
• Mesa Brasil SESC: SESC's nationwide food-security and food-waste-reduction program in Brazil, redistributing surplus food and training communities. Comparable integrated food-waste + food-security + training model and Brazilian geographic footprint.
• Food for Soul: Founded by Massimo Bottura, Food for Soul is the direct co-creator of Refettorio Gastromotiva and operates the global Refettorio network (Milan, London, Paris, Rio). It shares the same social-gastronomy mission, training-kitchen methodology and chef-volunteer model.

Regional players

• Instituto Acariquara: Amazon-region partner of Gastromotiva delivering courses and community programs in Manaus. Comparable grassroots community-development model in the Amazon basin; overlaps as a regional implementation partner rather than direct competitor.

Emerging players

• Instituto Alok: Brazilian philanthropy of DJ Alok supporting social causes including food security; co-sponsored Gastromotiva's G20 Encontro Comunidade. Comparable as a Brazilian social-impact funder with growing program portfolio, though broader than gastronomy alone.

Others

• Catalyst 2030: Global network of social entrepreneurs and social enterprises supporting the SDGs. Comparable ecosystem participant rather than direct competitor; relevant as a peer platform for cross-learning, partnership and funding access for Gastromotiva.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Instagraminstagram.com/gastromotiva
• Xx.com/gastromotiva
• Facebookfacebook.com/gastromotiva
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/gastromotiva

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles16 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Gastromotiva