Jose Andres
ThinkFoodGroup | Washington, D.C.
DECEMBER 2018
Not all chefs can be named one of Time’s “100 Most Influential People.” But all chefs aren’t José Andrés. He has the career of dreams, the kind that starts with a strong creative vision and explodes into an empire of restaurants, cookbooks, television appearances, and worldwide influence. It all began in northern Spain, where Andrés began cooking at an early age—baking with his mother, composing dishes, excelling in culinary school, and apprenticing at elBulli with Ferran Adrià by 21.
Then, Andrés immigrated to the United States and became chef-partner of Washington, D.C. restaurant Jaleo—the foundation of a partnership that would become ThinkFoodGroup. A pioneer in high-concept, tradition-rich cuisine, the group is almost as prolific as Andrés himself and is comprised of the “by José Andrés” eateries: America Eats Tavern, China Poblano, é, Fish, J, Jaleo, two-Michelin-star minibar, Saam, Tres, and The Bazaar at the SLS Hotels in Beverly Hills and South Beach. There’s also Jose Andrés Catering, Zaytinya, Pepe, exclusive Hyde Beach, and vegetable-driven Beefsteak. Andrés was named to the James Beard Foundation’s “Who's Who of Food and Beverage in America” in 2007, and won the “Outstanding Chef” award in 2011. He is the only chef to hold both a two-star Michelin restaurant and four Bib Gourmands.
While Andrés shines impossibly bright in the culinary world, he is equally known for his commitment to solving food and hunger issues and for championing the role of chefs in the national debate on food policy. This past election season, Andrés held an unwavering stance for the protection of immigrant workers’ rights, and closed five of his restaurants for the national “Day Without Immigrants.”
2018 StarChefs D.C.-Chesapeake Rising Stars Mentor Award Winner
