José Andrés Explained

Birth Name:José Ramón Andrés Puerta
Birth Date:13 July 1969
Birth Place:Mieres, Asturias, Spain
Nationality:Spanish
American (since 2013)
Occupation:Chef
Spouse:Patricia Fernández de la Cruz
Children:3
Awards:Michelin stars

José Ramón Andrés Puerta (pronounced as /es/; born 13 July 1969) is a Spanish and American chef and restaurateur. Born in Spain, he moved to the United States in the early 1990s and since then, he has opened restaurants in several American cities. He has won a number of awards, both for his cooking (including several James Beard Awards), and his humanitarian work. He is a professor as well as the founder of the Global Food Institute at George Washington University.[1]

Andrés is the founder of World Central Kitchen (WCK), a non-profit devoted to providing meals in the wake of natural disasters.[2] He is often credited with bringing the small plates dining concept to America.[3] He was awarded a 2015 National Humanities Medal at a 2016 White House ceremony for his work with World Central Kitchen.[4] In addition, he has received honorary doctorates from Georgetown University, George Washington University, Harvard University, and Tufts University. In March, 2022, he was named as co-chair of the United States President's Council on Sports, Fitness, and Nutrition.

Andrés received widespread popular attention in April 2024, when seven WCK workers in Gaza were killed by Israeli military airstrikes in the city of Deir al-Balah during the World Central Kitchen aid convoy attack. Andrés has rejected assertions that the strike was not deliberate. In response, he labeled the conduct of the Israel Defense Forces "not a war against terrorism anymore" but a "war against humanity itself."

Early life and education

José Ramón Andrés Puerta was born in Mieres, Asturias, Spain,[5] on 13 July 1969.[6] Andrés family moved to Catalonia when he was 6.[7] He enrolled in culinary school in Barcelona at the age of 15, and when he needed to complete his Spanish military service at age 18, he was assigned to cook for an admiral.[8] He met Ferran Adrià in Barcelona, and he worked three years at El Bulli, from 1988 to 1990.[9] In December 1990, he was fired by Adrià and decided to move to the United States.[10]

Culinary career

Coming to the United States

At the age of 21, Andrés arrived in New York City to cook in midtown Manhattan at an outpost of a popular Spanish restaurant, Eldorado Petit. During his time in New York, he also staged servings at The Quilted Giraffe. In 1993, Andrés was hired to lead the kitchen at Jaleo, a new tapas restaurant in Washington, D.C. In subsequent years, he helped the owners of Jaleo to open more restaurants: Cafe Atlantico, Zaytinya and Oyamel, along with two more Jaleo outposts.[11] In 2003, Andrés started minibara restaurant space within a larger restaurantat a six-seat counter within Cafe Atlantico. Minibar eventually became a stand alone restaurant that has a twelve-seat counter. Seats are released on a monthly basis; according to the Washington Post they typically are reserved within 24 hours.[12]

Chef and restaurateur

As he opened more restaurants in the US, Andrés became more well-known in his native Spain, starring in his own cooking show, Vamos a Cocinar, which debuted in 2005. He also published his first book, Tapas: A Taste of Spain in America, in 2005. In 2006, he partnered with Robert Wilder to form ThinkFoodGroup, making Andrés a co-owner in his restaurants. Together, they opened more restaurants in Miami, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, and Puerto Rico.Beginning in the fall of 2010, Andrés taught a culinary physics course at Harvard University with Ferran Adrià.[13] In May 2012, Andrés was named dean of Spanish Studies at The International Culinary Center, where he and Colman Andrews developed a curriculum in traditional and modern Spanish cuisine, which debuted in February 2013.[14] On 29 October 2012, he announced he was heading back to the classroom, and would teach his first course on how food shapes civilization at George Washington University.[15] He did so until 2023, when he started the Global Food Institute at George Washington University.

Trump Hotel restaurant and lawsuit

Andrés planned to open a restaurant in the Trump International Hotel (also known as Old Post Office) in Washington, D.C., in 2016. After Donald Trump made disparaging comments about illegal Mexican immigrants in June 2015, Andrés withdrew from the contract with the Trump Organization, which then sued him.[16] Andrés counter-sued, and the parties reached a settlement in April 2017.[17]

The Trump International Hotel, Washington, D.C., closed on 11 May 2022.[18] It was sold to CGI Merchant Group, and later reopened as the Waldorf Astoria Washington, D.C., on 1 June 2022.[19] On 13 June 2022, Andrés announced that he would return to the location to open the restaurant that he had planned in the original 2015 deal.[20] The Bazaar by José Andrés opened on 8 February 2023.[21] Andrés remains an outspoken critic of Trump.[22] [23]

World Central Kitchen

See main article: World Central Kitchen. The World Central Kitchen (WCK) raised almost $30 million in 2019, then $250 million in 2020. In response to the 2010 Haiti earthquake, Andrés provided locally cooked dishes specific to the region essential to comforting people touched by disasters.[24] Since it was founded, the NGO has organized meals in the Dominican Republic, Nicaragua, Zambia, Peru, Cuba, Uganda, Cambodia, and in Poland on the border of Ukraine.[25] It has provided aid and meals in the United States and Puerto Rico and has helped during the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States.

In 2021, Jeff Bezos, the owner of The Washington Post and Amazon, handed Andrés $100 million through his Courage and Civility Award. During the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, Andrés announced that he was going to donate a part of the $100-million[26] to the organization to address the humanitarian crisis in Ukraine.[27]

In 2022, WCK took in $519 million in grants and donations.[28]

Israel-Hamas war

During the Israel–Hamas war, on 16 October 2023 Andrés responded to a tweet on X by Ione Belarra, Spanish Minister for Social Rights criticizing the Israeli treatment of Palestinian civilians and for "not letting in humanitarian aid (no dejan entrar ayuda humanitaria)."[29] Andrés wrote that Netanyahu was "defending Israeli citizens" (está defendiendo a sus ciudadanos…). He expressed his opinion that prime minister Pedro Sánchez should fire Belarra.

On 1 April 2024, seven WCK workers in Gaza were killed by multiple Israeli military airstrikes in the city of Deir al-Balah.[30] [31] [32] Andrés rejected Israeli and U.S. assertions that the strike was not deliberate. Andrés stated the seven workers were “targeted deliberately” and killed “systematically, car by car”. The war in Gaza, he said, is “not a war against terrorism anymore” but a “war against humanity itself.”[33] [34]

Restaurants

Along with partner Rob Wilder,[35] Andrés owns several restaurants:[36]

Signature restaurants:

Other restaurants:

Awards and honors

Awards and prizes
Media recognition
Honorary degrees
Appointments

Personal life

Andrés is married to Patricia "Tichi" Fernández de la Cruz and has three daughters; they live in Bethesda, Maryland, United States.[80] [81] [82] He met his wife while they were both living in Washington, D.C.; she is originally from Cádiz, Andalusia,[83] in the southwest of Spain. He became a naturalized U.S. citizen in December 2013.[84]

Andrés is an avid golfer[85] and loves cigars.[86]

He has a collection of rare cookbooks, totalling to 1500, including an 1825 first edition of Jean Anthelme Brillat-Savarin's The Physiology of Taste, a rents and receipts notepad from 1795 that belonged to Thomas Jefferson’s chef Honoré Julien, and an 1851 edition of The Virginia House-Wife by Mary Randolph.[87] He has expressed a predilection for his early edition of Auguste Escoffier’s Ma Cuisine, his first edition of Irma S. Rombauer's Joy of Cooking, and Ángel Muro's El Practicón.[88]

Filmography

!Date!Title!Type!Role!Episode(s)!Notes
2005–2007Vamos a cocinarTelevisionProducer and hostVamos a cocinar, a food program on Televisión Española.[89]
2007Iron Chef America TelevisionHimself, chefdefeated Bobby Flay.[90]
2008Made in SpainTelevisiona 26-part series for public television.[91]
2008TelevisionHimself, chefSeason 4, Episode 18Washington, D.C., episode.[92]
2010Top ChefTelevisionGuest judgeseason 7, episode 8, "Foreign Affair"[93]
2013The TasteTelevisionGuest judge, mentor[94]
2013–2015HannibalTelevisionCulinary consultant[95]
2017TelevisionHimself, chefseason 31, episode 5, "Jacques Pépin: The Art of Craft"Discussing working with chef, Jacques Pépin.[96]
2018TelevisionHimself, chefseason 12, episode 2Filmed in Asturias, Spain[97]
2021Selena + ChefTelevisionHimselfseason 2, episode 3, "Selena + José Andrés"
2021Waffles + MochiTelevisionHimself, chefseason 1, episode 1, "Tomato"[98]
2021Tom + TalksPodcastHimself, chefseason 1, episode 9, "Tom Talks - Ep9 w/ Chef José Andrés"
2022Green Eggs and Ham (TV series)TelevisionSylvester (voice)season 2, episode 2, "Tinker Tailor Mother Spy"
2022We Feed PeopleDocumentaryHimselfThis documentary, which Ron Howard directed, focuses on World Central Kitchen, a nonprofit that José Andrés founded, and his involvement with it.
2022–presentFirebudsTelevisionChef Al (voice)3 episodes
2022José Andrés and Family in SpainTelevisionHimself6 episodes
2024Dinner Party Diaries with José AndrésTelevision Himself1 episode

Bibliography

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: GW and José Andrés Partner to Lead the World in Delivering Food Systems Solutions through Global Food Institute . 2023-06-17 . GW Today - The George Washington University.
  2. Web site: José Andrés's World Central Kitchen, Explained. Eater. 10 November 2017. 2018-04-13.
  3. News: Restaurant of the Future? . The Wall Street Journal . 10 December 2009 . 7 June 2013 . McLaughlin, Katy.
  4. Web site: President Obama to Award 2015 National Humanities Medals. National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH).
  5. News: José Andrés: "No creo que abra un restaurante en España. Allí voy a disfrutar". Gallego Espina. Jose. 30 October 2016. El Español. 23 November 2018. es.
  6. Web site: 19 July 2022 . Principe Harry: chi è José Andrés, lo chef del discorso all'Onu che sogna di sfamare il mondo. Licenziato da Adrià, nemico di Trump, candidato al Nobel . 2 April 2024 . Vogue Italia . it.
  7. https://www.foodandwine.com/travel/europe/jose-andres-barcelona-spain-guide "José Andrés' Guide to Barcelona"
  8. Ruhlman. Michael. Fall 2016. José Andrés. Humanities. National Endowment for the Humanities. 37. 4.
  9. Web site: All about Chef José Andrés. explorelasvegas.com. 23 November 2018. He started his culinary career when he interned at the world-famous El Bulli Restaurant in Catalonia, Spain with friend, mentor, and equally-famous Ferran Adrià. He worked in El Bulli for three years from 1988 to 1990..
  10. News: José Andrés on Getting Fired from El Bulli. Andrés. José. 12 October 2011. Newsweek.
  11. News: Black . Jane . Ready, Set, Jose! . The Washington Post . 2 January 2008.
  12. News: Sietsema . Tom . 2022-02-25 . Review With a Japanese bent, Minibar by José Andrés still dazzles diners . 2024-04-05 . Washington Post . en-US . 0190-8286.
  13. News: Black . Jane . Foam 101? Chefs Andrés, Adrià will teach at Harvard. . . 24 March 2010.
  14. News: Forbes, Paula . José Andrés Now the Dean of Spanish Studies at ICC. . Eater.com . 2 May 2012.
  15. News: Chef Jose Andres to Teach Class on Power of Fo . 20 October 2012 . The New York Times. (dead link 18 September 2018)
  16. News: Donald Trump, José Andrés and the death of a grand Washington restaurant . O'Connell . Jonathan . 29 April 2016 . . 13 January 2018 . 0190-8286.
  17. News: Trump Organization settles restaurant suit with chef José Andrés . O'Connell . Jonathan . 7 April 2017 . . 13 January 2018 . 0190-8286.
  18. News: Lipton . Eric . May 11, 2022 . 'Trump Completes Sale of Washington Hotel to Investor Group' . The New York Times.
  19. Web site: Trump International Hotel Washington D.C. to Be Renamed and Branded As a Waldorf Astoria Hotel . 2024-02-06 . www.hotelnewsresource.com.
  20. News: Heil . Emily . June 13, 2022 . A José Andrés restaurant is coming to the former Trump hotel after all . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20220613131043/https://www.washingtonpost.com/food/2022/05/11/jose-andres-restaurant-trump-hotel/ . June 13, 2022 . February 6, 2024.
  21. Web site: Plumb . Tierney . 2023-02-08 . The Bazaar by José Andrés Debuts Downtown With a Parade of Avant-Garde Delights . 2024-02-06 . Eater DC.
  22. News: Hatic . Dana . 27 December 2017 . Every Time José Andrés Took Aim at Trump in 2017 . 13 January 2018 . Eater.
  23. News: Judkis . Maura . 8 January 2018 . José Andrés offers to buy lunch for winners of Trump's 'Fake News Awards' . 13 January 2018 . . 0190-8286.
  24. News: World Central Kitchen serves up 55K meals. Malibu Surfside News. 22nd Century Media LLC. 23 November 2018. 23 November 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20181123154444/https://www.malibusurfsidenews.com/f/news-community/world-central-kitchen-serves-55k-meals. dead.
  25. News: Chef José Andrés and World Central Kitchen help feed refugees in Ukraine: 'We must come together . 28 February 2022.
  26. At their annual international convention in Boston, MA, USA the Lions Club International awarded Jose Andres the Humanitarian Medal & a $250,000 grant for his work with the Global Central Kitchen. Web site: Brett Molina . After returning from space flight, Jeff Bezos donates $100M each to chef José Andrés and Van Jones . USA Today . 2021-07-21 . 2022-03-08.
  27. Web site: Kate Krader . World Central Kitchen Cooks Up Compassion in War-Torn Ukraine . Bloomberg . 2022-03-02 . 2022-03-08.
  28. News: How José Andrés and His Corps of Cooks Became Leaders in Disaster Aid . 2 April 2024 . The New York Times.
  29. https://twitter.com/ionebelarra/status/1713979118885195819
  30. News: Kalin . Stephen . 1 April 2024 . Celebrity Chef José Andrés Says Aid Workers Killed in Gaza . 2 April 2024 . The Wall Street Journal.
  31. Web site: 2 April 2024 . What is World Central Kitchen, the NGO whose workers were killed in Gaza? . 2 April 2024 . Reuters.
  32. Web site: Joffre . Tzvi . 2 April 2024 . 'Unforgivable': IDF opens probe after seven aid workers killed in central Gaza . 2 April 2024 . The Jerusalem Post.
  33. https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/chef-jose-andres-says-israel-targeted-his-aid-workers-systematically-car-by-car-2024-04-03/ Chef Jose Andres says Israel targeted his aid workers 'systematically, car by car'
  34. https://www.vulture.com/article/jose-andres-world-central-kitchen-israel-drone-strike-gaza.html Chef José Andrés Says Israel Targeted His Aid Workers ‘Deliberately’
  35. Web site: About José Andrés. China Poblano. 19 April 2013. 11 March 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20130311190901/http://www.chinapoblano.com/index.php/jose_andres. dead.
  36. Web site: Restaurants . ThinkFoodGroup . 20 April 2013.
  37. Web site: Minibar Restaurant Website. 22 October 2012.
  38. Web site: Sidman. Jessica. 12 DC Restaurants Earn Michelin Stars . Washingtonian. 13 October 2016. 14 October 2016.
  39. News: Nagourney . Adam . They're Eating Out of the Palm of His Hand . The New York Times . 29 October 2012.
  40. News: Fabricant . Florence . José Andrés Will Open Two Restaurants in NoMad. The New York Times . 8 April 2021.
  41. Web site: José Andrés will open Bazaar Meat and more restaurants in downtown L.A.. Harris. Jenn. Los Angeles Times. 3 January 2022. 8 January 2022.
  42. News: Elliott. Farley. Chef José Andrés Brings Dinner Magic Back to Downtown Los Angeles. Eater Los Angeles . 8 April 2023.
  43. News: Selvam. Ashok. José Andrés' Chicago Riverside Restaurant to Open in Early December. Eater Chicago . 8 January 2022.
  44. News: Selvam. Ashok. José Andrés to Open All-Day Cafe Along Chicago River. Eater Chicago . 8 January 2022.
  45. News: Judkis. Maura. Michelin announces its first D.C. honors: the Bib Gourmand list of affordable restaurants. The Washington Post . 14 October 2016.
  46. Lyon . Shauna . José Andrés's Exuberant Spanish Food Hall at Hudson Yards . The New Yorker . 31 May 2019.
  47. News: McCart. Melissa. José Andrés Opens a Manhattan Cocktail Bar With Sweeping City Views. Eater New York . 8 April 2023.
  48. News: Waxman. Naomi. José Andrés Unveils a Speakeasy-Style Bar Underneath His River North Restaurant. Eater Chicago . 15 January 2022.
  49. News: Yang . Eung. Chef José Andrés: New Maryland Restaurant Serves ‘The Dish I Grew Up With'. August 6, 2024 . WRC-TV. May 14, 2021.
  50. Web site: José Andrés Brings His Popular Zaytinya and One Mystery Restaurant to Las Vegas . 31 March 2023 .
  51. Web site: Restaurant and Chef Awards . James Beard Foundation . 9 June 2013 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20131005002221/http://www.jamesbeard.org/awards/restaurant-chef?field_award_status_value=1&year%5Bvalue%5D%5Byear%5D=2003 . 5 October 2013 .
  52. Web site: Chefs: Jose Andres . PBS Foods . 14 January 2019 . 2010.
  53. Web site: Spain to honor DC's celebrity chef Jose Andres. 30 November 2010. 20 April 2013.
  54. News: All We Can Eat – Jose Andres wins culinary arts prize. The Washington Post. 11 November 2015.
  55. News: Jose Andres wins James Beard award. 20 April 2013 . The Washington Post. 10 May 2011.
  56. Web site: President Obama to Award 2015 National Humanities Medals. National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH).
  57. Web site: 2016-01-19 . Rajoy entrega la Placa al Mérito Turístico al Caminito del Rey . 2024-05-11 . ELMUNDO . es.
  58. News: Krystal . Becky . Chef José Andrés, PBS star Vivian Howard honored by culinary professionals . The Washington Post . 5 March 2017.
  59. News: EFE . 2017-12-23 . Aute, El Roto y Chiquito de la Calzada, Medallas de Oro de Bellas Artes . 2024-05-11 . El País . es . 1134-6582.
  60. News: Carman. Tim. Beard Foundation names José Andrés Humanitarian of the Year following a turbulent year for chefs. 21 February 2018. The Washington Post.
  61. Web site: Awards Search James Beard Foundation . 2023-02-20 . www.jamesbeard.org.
  62. Web site: Chris . Recipients . 2022-05-11 . The Julia Child Award.
  63. Web site: Chef José Andrés to receive Julia Child Award for redefining America's food history . 2022-05-11 . NBC News . 11 June 2019.
  64. https://www.fpa.es/en/ Princess of Asturias Awards 2021
  65. Web site: Griffin . Andrew . 2021-07-20 . Jeff Bezos to give away $200 million to two celebrities after trip to space . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20210720165046/https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/gadgets-and-tech/jeff-bezos-space-flight-van-jones-jose-andres-b1887426.html . 2021-07-20 . 2021-07-20 . The Independent.
  66. Web site: Spanish World Central Kitchen chef Jose Andres awarded Order of Merit by Ukrainian President Zelenskyy. Euro Weekly News. 22 November 2022 . 2022-11-22.
  67. Web site: 2023 Daytime Nominees (Program – Non-Drama) – The Emmys . 2024-02-06 . theemmys.tv. 26 April 2023 .
  68. Web site: Press . Europa . 2024-05-09 . El chef José Andrés, condecorado por la Armada con la Gran Cruz del Mérito Naval con distintivo blanco . 2024-05-11 . www.europapress.es.
  69. Web site: Chef of the Year Bon Appetit 2004 . 9 June 2013 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20130626081310/http://www.bonappetit.com/magazine/baawards/2008/10/baa_2004?currentPage=2 . 26 June 2013 .
  70. News: Richman . Alan . Chef of the Year: The Bazaar World of José Andrés . GQ Magazine . December 2009 . 280–307.
  71. Jose Andres – 2012 TIME 100: The Most Influential People in the World. https://web.archive.org/web/20120419062046/http://www.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,2111975_2111976_2111958,00.html. dead. 19 April 2012. 20 April 2013 . Time. 18 April 2012.
  72. News: Dash . Julekha . D.C.'s first Michelin stars announced . USA Today . 13 October 2016.
  73. José Andrés is on the 2018 TIME 100 List . Emeril Lagasse . Time . 13 January 2019 . 2018.
  74. Web site: World-Renowned Chef José Andrés to Deliver Commencement Address . . 19 March 2014 . 18 September 2018 .
  75. Web site: José Andrés Is Getting an Honorary Public Service Degree from Tufts. Cain. Jacqueline. 29 March 2018. Boston Magazine. 6 December 2018.
  76. Web site: Honorary Degree Recipients . Georgetown University.
  77. Web site: Harvard to award seven honorary degrees . Harvard University. 26 May 2022 .
  78. News: Fernandez Campbell . Alexia . Celebrity Chef José Andrés Urges Immigrants to Become Citizens . The Atlantic.
  79. Web site: 2022-03-24 . DC chef José Andrés appointed to serve on President's Council on Sports, Fitness, & Nutrition . 2023-03-27 . FOX 5 DC.
  80. News: How Chef José Andrés Turns Impulsiveness Into An Asset. 10 April 2018. Fast Company. 23 November 2018.
  81. News: Where Chef José Andrés Kicks Back. 2010. The Wall Street Journal (WSJ). 23 November 2018. José Andrés modern Bethesda, Maryland home..
  82. Web site: Interview: José Andrés and Patricia Fernandez de la Cruz. 2019-05-20. Bethesda Magazine. 2019-11-28.
  83. Book: Gray. Todd. The New Jewish Table: Modern Seasonal Recipes for Traditional Dishes. Gray. Ellen Kassoff. 2013-03-05. St. Martin's Press. 978-1-4668-3253-4. 121.
  84. News: Jose Andres becomes a U.S. citizen after 23 years in the country . The Washington Post . 14 November 2013 . 14 November 2013 . Roxanne Roberts.
  85. Web site: 2024-04-04 . The man behind the Masters menu? He's feeding a hungry world . 2024-04-05 . Golf . en-US.
  86. News: Kahn . Howie . José Andrés' New Memoir: How the Chef Fed Puerto Rico . 2024-04-05 . WSJ . en-US.
  87. Web site: Burros . Marian . July 13, 2021 . Not Just Spices on His Shelves . April 5, 2024 . New York Times.
  88. Web site: Valdes . Marcela . March 28, 2024 . The Menu That Has Made One José Andrés Restaurant Endure . New York Times.
  89. News: Huevos fritos con chorizo y con patatas. 30 April 2005. TVE. 27 March 2020.
  90. News: Dish: Jose vs. Flay. Parrish. Marlene. 23 May 2007. Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. 12 June 2013.
  91. Web site: Made in Spain. 9 January 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20110910045254/http://josemadeinspain.com/. 10 September 2011. dead.
  92. Web site: THINKfoodGROUP's Rob Wilder Discusses the Minibar's Future. 24 January 2009.
  93. Web site: Top Chef Season 7 – Episode 8: Foreign Affairs. 2010. 12 June 2013.
  94. News: Jose Andres appeared on ABC's 'The Taste'. Maura Judkis. 13 March 2013. The Washington Post.
  95. Web site: 'Hannibal' producer Bryan Fuller on cannibal cuisine, renewal and more. Alan Sepinwall. 19 June 2013. HitFix.
  96. Web site: Listen to José Andrés' first captivating encounter with Jacques Pépin American Masters PBS. 2017-05-19. American Masters. 2019-11-28.
  97. News: Recapping 'Parts Unknown: Asturias'. 30 September 2018. Eater. 23 November 2018.
  98. News: Chef José Andrés To Appear On Michelle Obama's Cooking Show 'Waffles + Mochi'. CBS Baltimore Staff. 13 February 2021. CBS Baltimore. 18 March 2021.