José Andrés

José Andrés
Born	José Ramón Andrés Puerta (1969-07-13) July 13, 1969 Mieres, Asturias, Spain
Occupation(s)	Chef, restaurateur, humanitarian, professor
Years active	Early 1990s–present
Known for	Founder of World Central Kitchen; popularizing small plates dining in the U.S.

José Ramón Andrés Puerta (born July 13, 1969) is a chef and restaurateur holding Spanish-American nationality. After moving to the United States in the early 1990s, he established a series of restaurants in various American cities. Andrés has been recognized with multiple awards for his culinary mastery, including several James Beard Awards, as well as for his humanitarian efforts. He serves as a professor and is the founder of the Global Food Institute at George Washington University.

He created World Central Kitchen (WCK), a charitable organization dedicated to delivering meals during natural disaster crises. Andrés played a key role in introducing and popularizing the concept of small plates dining within the U.S. His humanitarian contributions earned him the 2015 National Humanities Medal, which was presented at a 2016 ceremony held at the White House. Additionally, he has received honorary doctorates from Georgetown, George Washington, Harvard, and Tufts universities. In March 2022, he was appointed co-chair of the United States President's Council on Sports, Fitness, and Nutrition, a role he maintained until stepping down shortly before the presidential transition in January 2025.

Early life and education

José Ramón Andrés Puerta was born on July 13, 1969, in Mieres, Asturias, Spain. At age six, his family relocated to Catalonia. He began culinary studies in Barcelona at 15 and completed his military service in Spain by preparing meals for an admiral when he was 18. Between 1988 and 1990, Andrés trained under renowned Spanish chef Ferran Adrià at the acclaimed Catalonian restaurant El Bulli. After being dismissed by Adrià in December 1990, he chose to move to the United States.

Arrival in the United States

At 21 years old, Andrés arrived in New York City to work at Eldorado Petit, a Spanish eatery located in Midtown Manhattan. He also completed a stage at The Quilted Giraffe. In 1993, he took charge of the kitchen at Jaleo, a newly opened tapas restaurant in Washington, D.C., subsequently contributing to the brand’s expansion with venues such as Café Atlántico, Zaytinya, Oyamel, and additional Jaleo branches. In 2003, he introduced minibar, which started as a six-seat counter within Café Atlántico before becoming an independent twelve-seat establishment. Reservations are highly competitive and generally booked within a day.

Chef and restaurateur

As his restaurant ventures grew across the U.S., Andrés gained prominence in Spain by hosting the 2005 cooking program Vamos a Cocinar and releasing his debut book titled Tapas: A Taste of Spain in America. In 2006, he collaborated with Robert Wilder to establish ThinkFoodGroup, becoming co-owner of his existing restaurants while opening new locations in Miami, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, and Puerto Rico. In 2010, Andrés co-taught a course on culinary physics at Harvard University alongside Ferran Adrià. By May 2012, he was appointed dean of Spanish Studies at the International Culinary Center, where he assisted in creating a curriculum focusing on both traditional and contemporary Spanish cuisine, launched in 2013. Later that year, he started teaching courses on how food influences civilization at George Washington University, continuing until founding the Global Food Institute there in 2023.

José Andrés and Trump Hotel restaurant dispute

José Andrés initially intended to launch a dining establishment at the Trump International Hotel (Old Post Office) in Washington, D.C., with plans for a 2016 debut. However, following Donald Trump's controversial comments about Mexican immigrants in June 2015, Andrés terminated his agreement with the Trump Organization, which subsequently initiated legal action against him. Andrés responded with a countersuit, and both parties reached a resolution in April 2017.

The hotel ceased operations on 11 May 2022 and was acquired by CGI Merchant Group, reopening as the Waldorf Astoria Washington, D.C. on 1 June 2022. On 13 June 2022, Andrés declared his intention to revive the originally planned restaurant concept. The Bazaar by José Andrés officially began serving guests on 8 February 2023. Throughout this period, Andrés has remained a vocal critic of Trump.

World Central Kitchen

Established by Andrés in response to the 2010 Haiti earthquake, World Central Kitchen (WCK) raised close to $30 million in 2019 and surged to $250 million in donations and grants by 2020. This nonprofit organization specializes in delivering freshly prepared meals adapted to the specific needs of communities impacted by disasters. WCK's operations have extended to nations such as the Dominican Republic, Nicaragua, Zambia, Peru, Cuba, Uganda, Cambodia, and along the Poland-Ukraine frontier. Additionally, it has provided aid throughout the United States and Puerto Rico, notably during the COVID-19 crisis. Under Andrés’s leadership, WCK employs approximately 200 personnel, including CEO Erin Gore and Emergency Response Director Sam Bloch.

In 2021, Jeff Bezos recognized Andrés with a $100 million award under the Courage and Civility Award. Amid the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, Andrés allocated a portion of these funds to support humanitarian relief efforts there.

By 2022, WCK's funding had escalated to $519 million through grants and donations.

On 1 April 2024, a drone strike by Israeli forces in Gaza's Deir al-Balah resulted in the death of seven WCK staff members. Andrés condemned this assault as intentional, stating that aid workers were "systematically targeted." He denounced the conflict as "a war against humanity," stressing that food must never serve as a weapon. Calling on Israel to respect humanitarian norms, Andrés noted WCK’s ongoing collaboration with Israeli authorities to ensure safe delivery of assistance.

Dining establishments

Together with business partner Rob Wilder, Andrés owns multiple restaurants:

Flagship venues

• minibar by José Andrés – Located in Washington, D.C., this restaurant offers an approximately 25-course prix fixe tasting menu for twelve guests and earned two Michelin stars in 2016.
• barmini by José Andrés – A cocktail lounge adjacent to minibar in Washington, D.C.
• é by José Andrés – Situated within Jaleo in Las Vegas, this venue features a similar prix fixe experience serving around 25 small plates to nine diners.
• The Bazaar by José Andrés – Present in Miami Beach, Washington, D.C., and New York City, this restaurant blends classic Spanish tapas with molecular gastronomy techniques. It originally opened in 2008 at SLS Beverly Hills featuring interiors designed by Philippe Starck. The establishment included Saam at the Bazaar, later rebranded as Somni, which earned two Michelin stars under chef Aitor Zabala; both venues permanently closed in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Bazaar Meat by José Andrés – Operating locations include Las Vegas and Chicago, with plans for a Los Angeles opening in 2025; this upscale steakhouse specializes in rare imported cuts.
• Bar Mar by José Andrés – Found in Chicago and Glendale (within VAI Resort), this venue emphasizes seafood offerings alongside a raw bar and cocktail selections.
• Bazaar Mar – Located inside The Shops at Crystals in Las Vegas, this interactive seafood-focused restaurant highlights Spanish culinary influences.
• Bar Centro – Adjacent to Bazaar Mar in Las Vegas; offers Spanish-style bakery items paired with craft cocktails.
• Nubeluz – A rooftop cocktail bar situated at the Ritz-Carlton in NoMad, Manhattan, New York City.

Additional Dining Venues

• Airlight – Located in Downtown Los Angeles within the Conrad Hotel – A poolside café serving handheld snacks alongside inventive cocktails.
• The Beaudry Room – Situated in the Conrad Hotel lobby, Downtown Los Angeles – Features an array of experimental cocktails paired with small tapas dishes.
• Butterfly – Rooftop establishment at the Shay Hotel, part of Destination by Hyatt in Culver City, California – Offers Mexican and Latin-inspired fare including tacos, ceviches, and a selection of agave-based spirits.
• China Chilcano by José Andrés – Washington, DC – A fusion of Chinese, Japanese, and Peruvian cuisines; honored with a spot in the Michelin Guide's Bib Gourmand for outstanding value.
• China Poblano by José Andrés – Las Vegas – Combines elements of Chinese and Mexican culinary traditions.
• Fish by José Andrés – Located on Paradise Island, Bahamas – Specializes in fresh seafood coupled with Bahamian flavors.
• Jaleo by José Andrés – Operating in Washington, D.C., Orlando (Disney Springs), Las Vegas, Chicago, and Dubai – Classic Spanish tapas offerings; the DC branch is recognized in Michelin's Bib Gourmand.
• Mercado Little Spain – New York City – A Spanish food hall situated within The Shops & Restaurants at Hudson Yards.
• Oyamel – Washington, D.C. – Serves small plates and traditional antojitos; also featured in Michelin's Bib Gourmand.
• Pepe – Food truck in Washington, D.C., and a location in Orlando (Disney Springs) – A fast-casual Spanish dining concept offering sandwiches, salads, and gazpacho.
• Pigtail by José Andrés – Chicago – A speakeasy-style cocktail lounge located beneath Jaleo Chicago.
• San Laurel – Downtown Los Angeles within the Conrad Hotel – Presents California cuisine interpreted through a Spanish culinary perspective.
• Spanish Diner – Based in Bethesda, Maryland (a spin-off from NYC's Mercado Little Spain) – Offers a Spanish twist on the traditional American diner menu, featuring Asturian specialties such as Arroz a la Cubana.
• Zaytinya – Locations include Washington, D.C., New York City, Miami Beach, Culver City, Las Vegas, with an upcoming site in Palo Alto – Mediterranean small plates inspired by Greek, Turkish, and Lebanese flavors; acknowledged by Michelin's Bib Gourmand.

Notable Awards

• 2003 – James Beard Foundation's Best Chef for the Mid-Atlantic Region
• 2010 – Awarded the Order of Arts and Letters by the Spanish government
• 2010 – Recipient of the Vilcek Prize in Culinary Arts
• 2011 – Honored as Outstanding Chef by the James Beard Foundation
• 2015 – National Humanities Medal conferred by the United States government
• 2015 – Medal for Tourist Merit in the "Internationalization" category from the Spanish government
• 2017 – Lifetime Achievement Award from the International Association of Culinary Professionals
• 2017 – Gold Medal of Merit in Fine Arts bestowed by Spain
• 2018 – James Beard Foundation Award for Humanitarian of the Year
• 2019 – Julia Child Award presented by the Julia Child Foundation for Gastronomy and Culinary Arts
• 2019 – Named Person of the Year by TIME for Kids
• 2020 – John Steinbeck Award granted by San Jose State University
• 2021 – Princess of Asturias Award in the category of "Concord"
• 2021 – Second Courage and Civility Award from Jeff Bezos, including a $100 million donation to non-profits selected by Andrés
• 2022 – Awarded the Order of Merit (Ukraine), 2nd class
• 2023 – Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Culinary Series for José Andrés and Family in Spain
• 2024 – Grand Cross of Naval Merit awarded by the Spanish Navy
• 2025 – Presidential Medal of Freedom recognizing his culinary innovation and humanitarian contributions through World Central Kitchen

Media recognition

• 2004 – Included in the Saveur 100 List by Saveur
• 2004 – Awarded Chef of the Year by Bon Appetit
• 2009 – Named Chef of the Year by GQ
• 2012 – Recognized as one of the 100 most influential individuals worldwide by Time
• 2016 – Earned two Michelin stars in the Washington, DC Michelin Guide for minibar by José Andrés
• 2018 – Again listed among the world’s 100 most influential people by Time

Honorary degrees

• May 2014: Received an honorary doctorate in public service from George Washington University; served as commencement speaker at the National Mall
• May 2018: Conferred an Honorary Doctor of Public Service degree from Tufts University; delivered the commencement address for the Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy
• 2019: Awarded an honorary degree by Georgetown University
• May 2022: Granted an honorary degree from Harvard University

Appointments

• In 2015, President Barack Obama appointed Andrés as an ambassador for citizenship and naturalization
• In 2022, President Joe Biden designated Andrés as co-chair of the President's Council on Sports, Fitness, & Nutrition
• In 2024, Andrés became a member of the The Earthshot Prize Council

Personal life

José Andrés is married to Patricia "Tichi" Fernández de la Cruz, with whom he has three daughters; they live in Bethesda, Maryland. He met his spouse in Washington, D.C., and she originates from Cádiz, Andalusia, Spain. Andrés obtained U.S. citizenship through naturalization in December 2013.

A passionate golfer and aficionado of cigars, Andrés also curates a collection of approximately 1,500 rare culinary books. Among his prized editions are an 1825 first printing of Jean Anthelme Brillat-Savarin's The Physiology of Taste, a 1795 recipe notebook belonging to Thomas Jefferson’s chef Honoré Julien, and an 1851 copy of Mary Randolph’s The Virginia House-Wife. He particularly values early editions of Auguste Escoffier’s Ma Cuisine, Irma S. Rombauer's Joy of Cooking, and Ángel Muro's El Practicón.

Politics

On November 5, 2024, Andrés declared his intention to run against Rep. Andy Harris in the 2026 election. He criticized Harris, a Republican and leader of the House Freedom Caucus, labeling him a "disgrace" due to his propagation of falsehoods and divisive rhetoric.

Filmography

Date	Title	Type	Role	Episode(s)	Notes
2005–2007	Vamos a cocinar	Television	Producer and host		Culinary show broadcast on Televisión Española.
2007	Iron Chef America	Television	Himself, chef		Defeated chef Bobby Flay.
2008	Made in Spain	Television			26-episode series aired on public television.
2008	Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations	Television	Himself, chef	Season 4, Episode 18	Episode filmed in Washington, D.C.
2010	Top Chef	Television	Guest judge	Season 7, Episode 8, "Foreign Affair"
2013	The Taste	Television	Guest judge and mentor
2013–2015	Hannibal	Television	Culinary consultant
2017	American Masters	Television	Himself, chef	Season 31, Episode 5, "Jacques Pépin: The Art of Craft"	Featured discussing collaboration with chef Jacques Pépin.
2018	Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown	Television	Himself, chef	Season 12, Episode 2	Filmed in Asturias, Spain.
2021	Selena + Chef	Television	Himself	Season 2, Episode 3, "Selena + José Andrés"
2021	Waffles + Mochi	Television	Himself, chef	Season 1, Episode 1, "Tomato"
2021	'Tom + Talks'	'Podcast'	'Himself, chef'	'Season 1, Episode 9, "Tom Talks - Ep9 w/ Chef José Andrés"'
'2022'	'Green Eggs and Ham (TV series)'	'Television'	'Sylvester (voice)'	'Season 2, Episode 2, "Tinker Tailor Mother Spy"'
'2022'	'We Feed People'	'Documentary'	'Himself'		'Directed by Ron Howard; highlights World Central Kitchen founded by Andrés.'
'2022–present'	'Firebuds'	'Television'	'Chef Al (voice)'	'3 episodes'
'2022'	'José Andrés and Family in Spain'	'Television'	'Himself'	'6 episodes'	'Recipient of a Daytime Emmy Awards.'
'2024'	'Dinner Party Diaries with José Andrés'	'Television'	'Himself'	'1 episode'
'2025'	'Yes, Chef!'	'Television'	'Himself, host'

Bibliography

• Vamos a Cocinar by José Andrés (Planeta Pub Corp, 2007) – inspired by his Spanish culinary television series.
• Made in Spain: Spanish Dishes for the American Kitchen authored by José Andrés and Richard Wolffe (Clarkson Potter, 2008).
• Tapas: A Taste Of Spain In America by José Andrés and Richard Wolffe (Clarkson Potter, 2005) – a cookbook centered on Spanish tapas and cuisine.
• We Fed an Island: The True Story of Rebuilding Puerto Rico, One Meal at a Time by José Andrés and Richard Wolffe (Anthony Bourdain/Ecco, 2018) – details his humanitarian initiatives following Hurricane Maria.
• Andrés, José; Goulding, Matt (2019). Vegetables Unleashed—A Cookbook. Anthony Bourdain/Ecco. ISBN 978-0062668387.
• Andrés, José; Chapple-Sokol, Sam; World Central Kitchen (2023). The WCK Cookbook — Feeding Hope, Feeding Humanity. Clarkson Potter. ISBN 9780593579077 – highlights recipes served through his nonprofit and honors their worldwide influence.
• Andrés, José; Costa, Michael (2023). Zaytinya — Delicious Mediterranean Dishes from Greece, Turkey, and Lebanon. HarperCollins/Ecco Press. ISBN 9780063327900.

See also

• Mediterranean cuisine
• Molecular gastronomy

External links

• joseandres.com
• ThinkFoodGroup – José Andrés's business enterprises