Days after former US President Donald Trump nabbed Nobel Peace Prize nomination, Democrats nominated D.C.-based Chef José Andrés and his World Central Kitchen (WCK) for the distinguished award for making extraordinary efforts throughout the “darkish and troublesome occasions”.
In a letter addressed to the Norwegian Nobel Committee, former Home Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), Reps. Jim McGovern (D-Mass.) and Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.), and others nominated the celeb chef and his non-governmental group (NGO) for “not solely conquering starvation however spreading hope”.
Additionally Learn: Donald Trump nabs Nobel Peace Prize nomination for 4th time; This is what it is advisable know
Andrés and his group have served over 350m meals worldwide
“Chef Andrés and his group are nothing in need of heroes for humanity — not solely conquering starvation however spreading hope,” the lawmakers stated within the nomination letter.
“Responding to pure disasters, humanitarian crises and battle zones with out hesitation, Chef Andrés and his group have served greater than 350 million meals worldwide. Throughout many darkish and troublesome moments, the impression of Chef Andrés and World Central Kitchen has been extraordinary.
“All are in awe of how, throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, Chef Andrés shortly marshaled the hassle to supply 40 million meals to feed the hungry internationally,” they added.
Additionally they expressed their gratitude for his help in offering meals for the Nationwide Guard troopers within the wake of the assault on the Capitol on January 6, 2021, for his NGO’s distribution of sizzling meals and grocery kits to residents of Kyiv amid Russia and Ukraine battle, and for the help that the group offered to Palestinian refugees within the midst of Israel-Hamas battle.
Who’s Chef José Andrés?
Andrés, who owns most-talked eateries within the Washington DC, is a local of Spain. He’s a celebrated determine, having traveled with the late well-known chef Anthony Bourdain on lots of his food-and-travel exhibits.
His catastrophe reduction basis — World Central Kitchen — supplies meals to victims of pure disasters. The organisation started operations instantly following the dreadful 2010 earthquake that struck Haiti.
The well-known chef, who runs a number of Bib Gourmand eating places and a two-Michelin-star restaurant, has grown his non-profit to generate over $500 million in annual income in 2022.
“I can not have my fancy eating places and revel in life and simply keep dwelling and watch TV when individuals are hungry and thirsty,” Andrés had instructed The Related Press after distributing meals and clear water within the Bahamas for 3 weeks.
“I imagine within the energy of cooks like me coming collectively to repair an issue that the massive NGOs and large governments are extremely unprepared to answer, which is an important second, one hour after the emergency occurs,” he added.
The celebrated chef has beforehand been nominated for this esteemed award.
In 2018, he obtained a nomination from John Delaney, the previous consultant from Maryland, for “fixing one of many world’s historical issues and supplying world leaders with a brand new street map to supply simpler catastrophe reduction sooner or later”.
Nonetheless, the 2019 prize was awarded to Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed of Ethiopia.
Chef José Andrés vs Donald Trump
In 2015, Andrés backed out of a restaurant settlement with Trump and his lodge in Washington after the ex-US president made derogatory feedback about Mexicans.
Trump then filed a $10 million breach of contract lawsuit in opposition to Andrés’ restaurant group, Assume Meals agency, earlier than reaching a settlement with unrevealed phrases.
Earlier this week, Republican congresswoman from New York, Rep. Claudia Tenney, proposed Trump for the Peace Prize. She talked about the function he performed in mediating the Abraham Accords, which restored diplomatic ties between Israel and a number of other Arab international locations, most notably Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates.
The 2024 prize shall be declared in October.
