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April 2, 2024 9 mins
José Andrés: Culinary Innovator, Humanitarian, and Global Influencer
José Andrés, a Spanish-American chef, restaurateur, and humanitarian, has revolutionized the culinary world with his innovative techniques, bold flavors, and unwavering commitment to social responsibility. Born on July 13, 1969, in Mieres, Asturias, Spain, Andrés has become a global icon, known not only for his culinary prowess but also for his tireless efforts to combat hunger and provide relief to communities in need.
Growing up in Spain, José Andrés was exposed to the rich culinary traditions of his homeland from a young age. His family instilled in him a deep appreciation for food, and he spent much of his childhood in the kitchen, learning the techniques and flavors that would later define his culinary style.
Andrés attended the School of Restaurant and Hotel Management in Barcelona, where he honed his skills and developed a passion for innovation in the kitchen. After graduating, he worked in several prestigious restaurants in Spain, including elBulli, the famed Michelin three-star restaurant led by chef Ferran Adrià. Andrés's experience at elBulli had a profound impact on his culinary philosophy, as he embraced the concept of molecular gastronomy, which uses scientific principles to create new and exciting dishes.
Career in the United States In 1991, José Andrés moved to the United States, settling in New York City. He quickly made a name for himself in the culinary world, working at the acclaimed tapas restaurant El Dorado Petit. His innovative approach to Spanish cuisine caught the attention of critics and diners alike, and he soon became known as one of the rising stars of the New York food scene.
In 1993, Andrés was recruited by Rob Wilder and Roberto Álvarez to become the head chef at Jaleo, a new tapas restaurant in Washington, D.C. Under Andrés's leadership, Jaleo quickly became a sensation, introducing American diners to the bold flavors and innovative techniques of modern Spanish cuisine. The success of Jaleo led to the opening of several more restaurants in the Washington, D.C. area, including Zaytinya, Oyamel, and minibar, each showcasing Andrés's unique culinary vision.
As his reputation grew, Andrés began to expand his reach beyond the kitchen. He became a frequent guest on television shows, including "Iron Chef America" and "Top Chef," where he showcased his culinary skills and infectious enthusiasm for food. He also authored several cookbooks, including "Tapas: A Taste of Spain in America" and "Made in Spain: Spanish Dishes for the American Kitchen," which helped to popularize Spanish cuisine in the United States.
ThinkFoodGroup and Restaurant Empire In 2006, José Andrés founded ThinkFoodGroup, a company that encompasses his various restaurant ventures, as well as his media and philanthropic efforts. Under the ThinkFoodGroup umbrella, Andrés has opened a wide range of restaurants, each with its own unique concept and culinary focus.
Some of his most notable restaurants include:
1. minibar by José Andrés: A pioneering restaurant that offers a multi-course tasting menu featuring avant-garde cuisine and molecular gastronomy techniques.
2. The Bazaar by José Andrés: A vibrant, multi-faceted restaurant that offers a wide range of Spanish-inspired dishes, from traditional tapas to modern creations.
3. Beefsteak: A fast-casual concept that focuses on fresh, vegetable-forward dishes, showcasing Andrés's commitment to healthy and sustainable eating.
4. Mercado Little Spain: A sprawling food hall in New York City that celebrates the flavors and traditions of Spanish cuisine, offering a wide range of food stalls, restaurants, and retail options.
Through ThinkFoodGroup, Andrés has also expanded his reach globally, opening restaurants in cities such as Las Vegas, Miami, and Dubai. His culinary empire has earned him numerous accolades, including multiple James Beard Awards, the highest honor in the American culinary world.
Humanitarian Work and Social Responsibility Beyond his culinary achievements, José Andrés is known for his tireless humanitarian work and commitment to social responsibility. In 2010, he founded World Central Kitchen (WCK), a non-profit organization dedicated to providing meals to communities in need, particularly in the wake of natural disasters.
WCK first gained widespread attention in 2017, when Andrés and his team traveled to Puerto Rico in the aftermath of Hurricane Maria. They quickly set up a network of kitchens and volunteers, eventually serving over 3.5 million meals to those affected by the disaster. Since then, WCK has responded to numerous other crises, including the COVID-19 pandemic, providing millions of meals to frontline workers, seniors, and families in need.
Andrés's humanitarian work has earned him global recognition, including the James Beard Foundation's Humanitarian of the Year Award in 2018 and
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(00:00):
Jose Andres culinary innovator, humanitarian andglobal influencer. Jose Andres, a Spanish
American chef, restaurateur, and humanitarian, has revolutionized the culinary world with his
innovative techniques, bold flavors, andunwavering commitment to social responsibility. Born on
July thirteenth, nineteen sixty nine inMire's Asturias, Spain, Andres has become

(00:22):
a global icon, known not onlyfor his culinary prowess, but also for
his tireless efforts to combat hunger andprovide relief to communities in need. Growing
up in Spain, Jose Andres wasexposed to the rich culinary traditions of his
homeland from a young age. Hisfamily instilled in him a deep appreciation for
food, and he spent much ofhis childhood in the kitchen, learning the

(00:45):
techniques and flavors that would later definehis culinary style. Andres attended the School
of Restaurant and Hotel Management in Barcelona, where he honed his skills and developed
a passion for innovation in the kitchen. After graduating, he worked in several
prestigious restaurants in Spain, including ElBulli, the famed Michelin three star restaurant
led by chef Ferran Adria. Andres'sexperience at El Bulli had a profound impact

(01:11):
on his culinary philosophy as he embracedthe concept of molecular gastronomy, which uses
scientific principles to create new and excitingdishes. Career in the United States.
In nineteen ninety one, Jose Andresmoved to the United States, settling in
New York City. He quickly madea name for himself in the culinary world,
working at the acclaimed tapas restaurant ElDorado Petit. His innovative approach to

(01:36):
Spanish cuisine caught the attention of criticsand diners alike, and he soon became
known as one of the rising starsof the New York food scene. In
nineteen ninety three, Andres was recruitedby Rob Wilder and Roberto Alvarez to become
the head chef at Haleo, anew tapis restaurant in Washington, d c.
Under Andres's leadership, Chaleo quickly becamea sensation, introducing American diners to

(02:00):
the bold flavors and innovative techniques ofmodern Spanish cuisine. The success of Jaleo
led to the opening of several morerestaurants in the Washington d c. Area,
including Zeitina, Oml, and Minibar, each showcasing Andres's unique culinary vision.
As his reputation grew, Andres beganto expand his reach beyond the kitchen.

(02:21):
He became a frequent guest on televisionshows including Iron Chef America and Top
Chef, where he showcased his culinaryskills and infectious enthusiasm for food. He
also authored several cookbooks, including Tapas, A Taste of Spain in America and
Made in Spain Spanish Dishes for theAmerican Kitchen, which helped to popularize Spanish

(02:43):
cuisine in the United States. ThinkFood Group and Restaurant Empire. In two
thousand and six, Jose Andres foundedThink Food Group, a company that encompasses
his various restaurant ventures, as wellas his media and philanthropic efforts. Under
the Think Food Group Umbrella, Ondresshas opened a wireenge of restaurants, each
with its own unique concept and culinaryfocus. Some of his most notable restaurants

(03:06):
include One Mini Bar by Jose Andres, a pioneering restaurant that offers a multi
course tasting menu featuring avant garde cuisineand molecular gastronomy techniques. Two The Bazaar
by Jose Andres, a vibrant,multifaceted restaurant that offers a wide range of
Spanish inspired dishes, from traditional tapasto modern creations. Three Beefsteak, a

(03:30):
fast casual concept that focuses on fresh, vegetable forward dishes, showcasing Andres's commitment
to healthy and sustainable eating. FourMercado Little Spain, a sprawling food hall
in New York City that celebrates theflavors and traditions of Spanish cuisine, offering
a wide range of food stalls,restaurants, and retail options. Through Think
Food Group, Andres has also expandedhis reach globally, opening restaurants in cities

(03:54):
such as Las Vegas, Miami,and Dubai. His culinary empire has earned
him numerous accolades, including multiple JamesBeard Awards, the highest honor in the
American culinary world. Humanitarian work andsocial responsibility. Beyond his culinary achievements,
Jose Andres is known for his tirelesshumanitarian work and commitment to social responsibility.

(04:15):
In twenty ten, he founded WorldCentral Kitchen w c K, a nonprofit
organization dedicated to providing meals to communitiesin need, particularly in the wake of
natural disasters. W CK first gainedwidespread attention in twenty seventeen when Andreas and
his team traveled to Puerto Rico inthe aftermath of Hurricane Maria. They quickly

(04:38):
set up a network of kitchens andvolunteers, eventually serving over three point five
million meals to those affected by thedisaster. Since then, w CK has
responded to numerous other crises, includingthe COVID nineteen pandemic, providing millions of
meals to frontline workers, seniors,and families in need. Andres's he humanitarian

(05:00):
work has earned him global recognition,including the James Beard Foundations Humanitarian of the
Year Award in twenty eighteen in theNational Humanities Medal, which was presented to
him by President Barack Obama in twentysixteen. Advocacy and political activism. In
addition to his philanthropic efforts, JoseAndres has been a vocal advocate for various

(05:21):
social and political causes. He hasbeen a strong proponent of immigration reform in
the United States, drawing on hisown experience as an immigrant to highlight the
contributions of foreign born workers to theculinary industry and beyond. Andreas has also
been a critic of the Trump administration'sresponse to Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico,

(05:41):
as well as its handling of theCOVID nineteen pandemic. In twenty nineteen,
he withdrew his plans to open arestaurant in a Trump owned hotel in Washington,
d C. Citing the president's controversialrhetoric and policies. Culinary philosophy and
innovation. At the heart of hoseAah Andrea's success is his innovative approach to
cuisine, which combines traditional techniques withmodern technology and scientific principles. He's been

(06:08):
a pioneer in the field of moleculargastronomy, using tools such as liquid nitrogen
souvied machines and centrifuges to create newand exciting dishes. Andrea's culinary philosophy is
rooted in a deep respect for ingredientsand a commitment to sustainability. He has
been a vocal advocate for the useof local, seasonal ingredients and has worked
to promote the benefits of a plantbased diet for both human health and the

(06:30):
environment at the same time. Andreais known for his playful and adventurous approach
to food, often incorporating unexpected flavorsand textures into his dishes. He has
a particular fondness for the cuisine ofhis native Spain and has worked to introduce
American diners to the rich culinary traditionsof the Iberian Peninsula. Legacy and impact.
Through his culinary innovations, humanitarian work, and social advocacy, Jose Andres

(06:56):
has made a lasting impact on thefood world and beyond. He has helped
to poprized Spanish cuisine in the UnitedStates and has inspired a new generation of
chefs to embrace creativity, sustainability,and social responsibility in their work. Andres's
impact extends far beyond the kitchen,however. Through World Central Kitchen, he

(07:16):
has provided millions of meals to thosein need and has helped to raise awareness
about the importance of food security anddisaster relief. His advocacy work has also
brought attention to issues such as immigrationreform and the need for a more sustainable
and equitable food system. In recognitionof his many contributions, Jose Andres has

(07:36):
received numerous awards and honors, includingthe Outstanding Chef Award from the James Beard
Foundation in twenty eleven and the NationalHumanities Medal in twenty sixteen. He has
also been named one of Time Magazine'sone hundred Most Influential People, and has
been featured in countless media outlets,from The New York Times to Sixty Minutes.

(07:58):
Jose Andre's journey from a young boyin Asturias to a global culinary icon
and humanitarian is a testament to thepower of passion, hard work, and
a commitment to making a difference inthe world. Through his innovative approach to
cuisine, his dedication to social responsibility, and his tireless advocacy for those in
need, Andres has left an indeliblemark on the food world and beyond.

(08:24):
As he continues to expand his culinaryempire, launch new initiatives through World Central
Kitchen, and speak out on importantsocial and political issues, Jose Andres remains
a beacon of hope and inspiration forall those who believe in the power of
food to change lives and bring peopletogether. His legacy will undoubtedly endure for

(08:45):
generations to come, as a shiningexample of what can be achieved when talent,
compassion, and a commitment to makinga difference are combined in one extraordinary
individual. Thanks for listening to Quiet. Please remember to like and share wherever
you get your podcasts.
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