CHEF BIO: JOSÉ ANDRÉS
Named one of Time Magazine’s "100 Most Influential People" and awarded "Outstanding Chef" by the James Beard Foundation, José Andrés is an internationally-recognized culinary innovator, author, educator, television personality, humanitarian and chef/owner of ThinkFoodGroup. A pioneer of Spanish tapas in the United States, he is also known for his groundbreaking avant-garde cuisine. Andrés’ award-winning group of restaurants includes locations in Washington D.C., Miami, Puerto Rico, Las Vegas, and Los Angeles, as well as in Mexico City, his first location outside the United States.
Andrés is a committed advocate on food and hunger issues and is known for championing the role of chefs in the national debate on food policy. In 2012, Andrés formed World Central Kitchen, a non-profit that uses the power of food to empower communities and strengthen economies, providing smart solutions to hunger and poverty. Andrés also serves as Culinary Ambassador for the Global Alliance for Clean Cookstoves. Andrés’s impact on the global stage has earned him distinctions such as the McCall-Pierpaoli Humanitarian Award and the EY Master Entrepreneur of the Year Award for Greater Washington. A successful immigrant from Spain turned United States citizen, he serves as a Presidential Ambassador for Citizenship and Naturalization to boost awareness of new Americans’ contributions to the world, and he was lauded as an Outstanding American by Choice by President Barack Obama. Andrés also holds the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute’s Chair’s Medallion Award as an outstanding role model in the Latino community and the nation.
