Chef José Andrés Takes Center Stage at the Knowledge Exchange for Resilience Celebration

The Knowledge Exchange for Resilience is excited to host "A Celebration for Resilience" at ASU Gammage in Tempe on November 8th from 7:30-9pm. This year's event will feature acclaimed chef and food justice advocate José Andrés as keynote speaker, who will discuss the importance of promoting community resilience through food security.?

The evening's topics will center around how we can help create more sustainable and resilient communities. Chef Andrés, who is a strong advocate for using food to address social justice issues, will share his insights on how to create more equitable access to fresh, healthy food in urban areas.

"We're thrilled to have Chef Andrés join us for this event," said Dr. Elizabeth Wentz , Director of KER. "His work with World Central Kitchen has shown us how food can be used as a tool for positive change. We hope that his message will inspire people to take action in their own communities and promote urban agriculture initiatives.”

Named one of Time’s “100 Most Influential People” in both 2012 and 2018 and recipient of the 2015 National Humanities Medal, José Andrés is an internationally-recognized culinary innovator, author, educator, humanitarian, and chef/owner of José Andrés Group.

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A pioneer of Spanish tapas in the United States, he is also known for his groundbreaking avant-garde cuisine and his award-winning group of nearly three dozen restaurants located throughout the country and beyond. José Andrés Group’s concepts include the two Michelin-starred minibar by José Andrés in Washington, DC, the acclaimed NYC food hall Mercado Little Spain, and multiple locations of the Bazaar by José Andrés. José has received the James Beard Foundation’s “Outstanding Chef” and "Humanitarian of the Year" awards.

Chef José Andrés is the author of several books, including his memoir "We Fed an Island: The True Story of Rebuilding Puerto Rico, One Meal at a Time." This book chronicles his experience leading the disaster relief efforts in Puerto Rico after Hurricane Maria devastated the island in 2017.

In "We Fed an Island," Chef Andrés describes how he and his nonprofit organization, World Central Kitchen, mobilized to provide hot meals to residents in Puerto Rico in the aftermath of the hurricane. He details the challenges they faced, including logistical obstacles and bureaucratic red tape, and how they were able to overcome them to serve millions of meals to those in need.

The book also delves into Chef Andrés' philosophy on food as a tool for social change. He argues that access to fresh, healthy food is a basic human right and that food can be used to address a wide range of social issues, from poverty and hunger to climate change and economic inequality.

Overall, "We Fed an Island" is a powerful and inspiring account of how we can use food to create positive change in the world. It is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and a call to action for individuals and communities to come together and work towards a more just and equitable society.

One of the main takeaways from Chef Andrés' book is the importance of collaboration and community engagement. In Puerto Rico, he was able to mobilize a network of volunteers, local organizations, and government agencies to provide meals to those in need. Similarly, in Maricopa County, fostering partnerships between community organizations, local businesses, and government agencies can help build a more resilient communities that can effectively respond to system shocks and other crises.

Finally, Chef Andrés' book emphasizes the importance of adaptability and flexibility. During disaster relief efforts, plans and strategies may need to change quickly based on changing circumstances. In Maricopa County, developing contingency plans for various emergencies and regularly evaluating and adjusting those plans can help the community better respond to unexpected situations and build community resilience over time.

Andrés is a committed advocate of food and hunger issues and is known for championing the role of chefs in the national debate on food policy. In 2010, Andrés formed World Central Kitchen, a non-profit specializing in delivering food relief in the wake of natural and humanitarian disasters. Since serving nearly 4 million meals to the people of Puerto Rico following the devastation of Hurricane Maria, World Central Kitchen has responded to dozens of disasters worldwide and distributing tens of millions of meals in the process. In response to the?COVID-19 pandemic, the organization has partnered with restaurants, small farms, and community leaders around the country to combat food insecurity.

A naturalized U.S. citizen?originally from Spain, Andrés has been a?tireless?advocate for immigration reform and on July 4, 2014 was named by President Barack Obama as that year’s “Outstanding American by Choice.”?

"A Celebration for Resilience" at ASU Gammage in Tempe on November 8th is open to the public, and tickets are on sale Tuesday May 2, 2023 at 9:00 AM, and are available through Ticketmaster.

For more information contact Kevin Bushaw, Communications and Marketing Manager Knowledge Exchange for Resilience at [email protected] or call 602-369-6680