'Iron Chef' Cat Cora Cooking Up Hope for Haiti

By Amber James Posted Jan 26th 2010 05:07PM

'Iron Chef' Cat Cora's heart sank when she heard about those displaced by the earthquake in Haiti, so she decided to give her culinary colleagues a challenge of their own: Raise $1 million in one month.

Through her organization Chefs for Humanity and the United Nations World Food Programme, Cora donated $10,000 from her own savings and asked others to match it. "My goal is to get 99 people to match my donation," Cora tells PopEater. So far everyone from Rachael Ray, Guy Fieri and Paula Deen have stepped forward. And her efforts won't stop there. By March, Cora plans to be stationed in Haiti serving food to those in need.

Cora chats with PopEater more about her relief efforts, how she's juggling her work (and raising four boys), plus what's in store for the new season of 'Iron Chef America.' >>>

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Cat Cora Photos

Chef Cat Cora attends the 2009 CNN Heroes Awards held at The Kodak Theatre in Hollywood, California. More photos >>

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Cat Cora Snapshots

HOLLYWOOD - NOVEMBER 21: Chef Cat Cora (L) attends the 2009 CNN Heroes Awards held at The Kodak Theatre on November 21, 2009 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Cat Cora

Cat Cora Snapshots

HOLLYWOOD - NOVEMBER 21: Chef Cat Cora attends the 2009 CNN Heroes Awards held at The Kodak Theatre on November 21, 2009 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Cat Cora

Cat Cora Snapshots

Chef Cat Cora poses with Loukoumi at "Loukoumi's Gift" narrated by Jennifer Aniston at Barnes & Noble, Lincoln Center on October 24, 2009 in New York City. "Loukoumi's Gift" Book Launch & Celebrity Reading Barnes & Noble, Lincoln Center New York, NY United States October 24, 2009 Photo by Steven A Henry/WireImage.com To license this image (58728909), contact WireImage.com

Cat Cora Snapshots

Chef Cat Cora attends "Loukoumi's Gift" narrated by Jennifer Aniston at Barnes & Noble, Lincoln Center on October 24, 2009 in New York City. "Loukoumi's Gift" Book Launch & Celebrity Reading Barnes & Noble, Lincoln Center New York, NY United States October 24, 2009 Photo by Steven A Henry/WireImage.com To license this image (58729358), contact WireImage.com

Cat Cora Snapshots

Chef Cat Cora attends the Come Together campaign launch at Macy's Herald Square on September 15, 2009 in New York City. Macy's Come Together Campaign Launch Macy's Herald Square New York, NY United States September 15, 2009 Photo by Wendell Teodoro/WireImage.com To license this image (58368415), contact WireImage.com

Cat Cora Snapshots

NEW YORK - APRIL 27: Cat Cora and photographer Nigel Barker attend the 36th Film Society of Lincoln Center's Gala Tribute at Alice Tully Hall on April 27, 2009 in New York City. (Photo by Mark Von Holden/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Cat Cora;Nigel Barker

Cat Cora Snapshots

LOS ANGELES, CA - APRIL 05: Chef Cat Cora arrives at Bravo's 2nd annual A-List Awards held at the Orpheum Theater on April 5, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Cat Cora

Cat Cora Snapshots

Cora founded Chefs for Humanity five years ago when the tsunami hit Asia because there was "nothing like the World Food Organization specifically for chefs and culinary professionals." Since then the organization has delivered hunger relief and emergency and humanitarian aid to reduce hunger across the world.

When news hit about the earthquake in Haiti earlier this month, Cora stepped up to unite the culinary community. "I know it's hard to give back, donate and support a family in this economy, but for me, it is important to set an example about giving all that you can. Is it hard? Yes. But do we have more than most? Of course. That is why I really wanted to set the bar there," Cora adds.

Even George Clooney took notice and personally invited her to the 'Hope for Haiti Now' event last Friday. "It was humbling and inspiring. Almost every single celebrity you could think of was in that room answering phones. Jennifer Aniston. Ellen DeGeneres. Then, I was next to Jack Nicholson at one point answering phones... To see George bring all these people together was very, very humbling and inspiring," Cora recalls.

As a mother of four boys, Cora felt a personal interest in helping the young children in Haiti who have been left without family. "It breaks my heart every time I see one of those babies over there. You can't not cry when you see that because some of these children have no parents and don't have any food right now. It breaks my heart... I would have jumped on a plane the first day, but Chefs For Humanity is trying to be smart and strategic about it. We want to be over there feeding people as soon as possible, by the end of February or first of March " Cora adds.

Cora, who just gave birth six months ago, admits juggling her life as a mother, chef and humanitarian can sometimes be a handful. But she and her wife Jennifer Cora are not sweating the small stuff. "We love our four boys. We are so blessed. Of course, it is a challenge for me to juggle everything and be home as much as possible as well -- but it is a rowdy, busy household, but I wouldn't have it any other way," Cora says.

Her sons include: Nash, 6 months; Thatcher, 10 months; Caje, 2 1/2; and Zoran, 6. While Cora isn't ruling out having more kids, she reveals, "The only way Jennifer and I would have another child is if we adopt. Before we had our children, we tried to adopt, but it is very difficult for same-sex couples. We have agreed that if we ever wanted more children, we would only do it by giving back and adopting."

Next in the works for her is the new season of 'Iron Chef,' and Cora admits being the only female on the show isn't a bad thing. "If there was a female chef that made the cut and went all the way, I would move over and say 'Welcome to the team.' But for now and until that happens, I don't mind being the only female. But I know that day is going to come, and I'll totally welcome her."

Until then, she does admit she has a dream celebrity partner she'd love to have on the show. "Bono. That would be really cool. I wouldn't mind chilling and cooking with Bono for a little bit. I love his work, and I love his organization ONE. I think we'd have a good synergy and a lot to talk about."

Tags: cat cora, CatCora, george clooney, GeorgeClooney, hope for haiti, HopeForHaiti, iron chef, iron chef america, IronChef, IronChefAmerica

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