Maya Kravat, whose public relations agency has been helping to organize the event, said that none of the chefs have replied. Kravat said “We’ve worked incredibly hard to pull this off,” expressing that the goal of Round Tables is gastro-diplomacy, she emphasized that the culinary project is a way to showcase national cuisine in order to change public image and perception.

The Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions Movement, known as BDS, is calling on top chefs from around the world to refrain from participating in the upcoming Round Tables culinary show, a "Gastro-diplomacy” event "which aspires to improve trade and cultural relations between countries."