Overview
Heroes run toward danger rather than away from it, and Chef José Andrés is no stranger to disaster zones. Over the past few years, he has responded to several major crises. After an earthquake devastated Haiti, Hurricane Maria ravaged Puerto Rico, wildfires scorched Southern California, and a refugee crisis intensified on the Venezuelan border, José quickly mobilized volunteer chefs to prepare meals for thousands of people in need through his non-profit, World Central Kitchen.
On this episode of The Doctor’s Farmacy, I was so happy to sit down and talk with José Andrés, an internationally-recognized culinary innovator, New York Times best-selling author, educator, humanitarian, chef, and owner of ThinkFoodGroup.
Throughout our conversation, José shares inspiring stories of how World Central Kitchen is creating smart solutions to hunger and poverty throughout the world. Last year José and the World Central Kitchen Chef Relief Team cooked and served hot meals every single day, on five continents, and through 18 missions. From earthquakes in Albania and California to flooding in the American Midwest to the catastrophic damage wrought by Hurricane Dorian in the Bahamas, the team responded quickly and efficiently to help impacted communities.
During the global coronavirus pandemic, José and his team at World Central Kitchen led the charge to provide food relief to the elderly, those suddenly without work, and frontline health care and essential workers by partnering with restaurants, small farms, and local partners around the country. In May, a bipartisan group of U.S. lawmakers introduced a bill aimed at helping restaurants and feeding vulnerable populations during the coronavirus pandemic. José and I discuss the FEED Act and how will it help people suffering from food insecurity and food shortages as a result of COVID-19.
We live in a country where we grow and waste enough food to feed everyone but we don’t get it to the people who really need it. José and I look at the fundamental flaws in the system that lead to this, along with so many other glaring aspects of our broken food system. José explains that food is a way to empower people and create change. He says, “One plate of food can change the life of others. We all are citizens of the world. What’s good for you, must be good for all. If you are lost, share a plate of food with a stranger—you will find who you are.”
Apple
