VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. — Chefs from all over Central Florida are teaming up to help the people of Ukraine as the war with Russia rages on. They’re having a fundraising dinner to raise money for World Central Kitchen, which is feeding Ukrainians who’ve had to flee their country.

What You Need To Know

Creating culinary masterpieces wasn’t Hari Pulapaka’s first love. His lifelong profession is actually teaching math.

“I had a professional midlife crisis in the year 2004, and after watching a midafternoon infomercial, I said maybe I should go to culinary school on top of being a full-time professor,” Pulapaka said.

Pulapaka, a math professor at Stetson University, also owned Cress, a popular restaurant in DeLand, for more than a decade. He now shares his passion for cooking with others through his Global Cooking School. The combo of cooking and mathematics is one Pulapaka said makes more sense than you might think. He said both require problem-solving and precise timing.

Pulapaka, who is from India, is focusing his attention on the needs of people in Ukraine — some of whom who are starving during the ongoing war.

“I was welcomed here a long time ago, and I became a citizen only recently, and so I have a special place for people in need — no matter where they are in the world,” Pulapaka said.

By inviting chefs from across Central Florida to join him in cooking up a feast, Pulapaka said he hopes to raise about $25,000 for World Central Kitchen, but he said his effort goes beyond raising money.  He said he also hopes to raise more awareness.

“And ultimately, if they then become aware of the organization we’re trying to help, if they weren’t before, and they decide to give on their own, then it’s the same effect in my opinion,” Pulapaka said. “It doesn’t have to be through our event only. We want to just spread the word and inspire people to give.”

Pulapaka said despite some success on the battlefield, Ukraine’s needs continue to grow as the war stretches on.

“The need is actually increasing,” Pulapaka said. “You would think that because there’s so much outpouring of support from all walks of life and from all over the world, that everything is fine now, but actually, the state of affairs on the ground seems to be getting worse in many ways.”

The Humanitarian Relief Fundraiser for Ukraine is happening Saturday, April 23, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at The Center at Deltona. Tickets are only on sale until Wednesday, April 20.