Launch of Carluccio Changemakers Programme from OCC

 

The Oxford Cultural Collective and the Antonio Carluccio Foundation have joined forces to establish the Carluccio Changemakers Programme.

The aim of this initiative is to build a sense of community and common purpose amongst past winners of Oxford Cultural Collective scholarships and awards. Every scholar has engaged in a self-designed project, which as well as benefiting them professionally, has had a positive impact on others. The Carluccio Changemakers Programme will help scholars maintain momentum, establishing them as an identifiable group who are committed to affecting positive change in society. The programme will bring scholars together at least once a year to share news on progress, provide practical support including mentoring, introductions and professional opportunities, and enable them to shape the future of the OCC scholarships programme.

The Changemakers Programme is named in honour of the late chef, author and broadcaster Antonio Carluccio, who offered considerable support to those building careers in food and hospitality. Sabine Stevenson. co-founder of the Antonio Carluccio Foundation, who was also Antonio’s partner, commented: “Commendatore Antonio Carluccio OBE was grounded in the abundance of the natural environment and seasonality. He believed that the central need for food created a commonality among people and that by cooking and sharing food, produce, stories and life experiences these commonalities were harnessed into a force for good for humanity. The Carluccio Changemakers Programme will enable young people to contribute to this legacy, with their considerable talents and gifts. By giving back, they will help achieve greater cohesion and understanding within and between communities, enable and inspire people to feed themselves and others and actively protect our shared natural environment – all in the spirit of true sustainability.”

The first meeting of the Carluccio Changemakers Programme is scheduled for 1^st November 2025. In addition to Sabine Stevenson, scholars will be joined by other notable figures whose careers have been defined by a strong sense of purpose: Jane Sunley, OCC Trustee and co-founder of Hendrick & Hyde; Andi Oliver, OCC Patron, chef and broadcaster; and Jimi Famurewa, author and television broadcaster.