The devoted efforts of a Maltese chef in London has earned her a mention in The Independent’s Happy List 2020: Heroes in a Crisis.

A list made up of 50 remarkable people and their amazing achievements during the pandemic, chef Nicole Pisani reworked the concept of a charity she co-founded Chefs in Schools - originally aimed at changing the perception of school food - to fit in with the crisis.

Speaking to Times of Malta, Nicole says: "We wanted to continue offering food to these families and we are now providing them with a hamper a week containing produce and prepared meals made from food that would have otherwise ended up in the landfill,” she explains. After partnering with various brands to raise £100,000, she, along with her team, was able to provide 80,000 meals to eligible children.

Now, Nicole plans to expand this concept beyond London to help children beat 'holiday hunger' during the summer months.

A celebrated chef both locally and abroad, Nicole admitted to Times of Malta: "Originally, I selfishly wanted to leave the restaurant industry, and this was a good opportunity. But now, I could not ask for a more rewarding job – where I wake up every day and feel like I’m not working and that I am paying it forward. The older I grow, the more I need this type of fulfillment,” she says.

Way to go Nicole!