The Chronicle of Philanthropy: José Andrés Discusses WCK’s Origins
This story was originally published by The Chronicle of Philanthropy on October 6, 2026.
José Andrés founded World Central Kitchen, which is on our list of America’s Favorite Charities, after the 2010 Haiti earthquake. The nonprofit provides meals during disasters and humanitarian crises worldwide. He tells the Chronicle what a bowl of beans taught him about listening, what tending his father’s paella fire taught him, and how WCK puts decisions in local hands.
What did Haiti teach you early on about listening?
I was in a camp cooking beans. Some women said, “Chef, we don’t eat beans like this here.” I remember thinking, “I’m a chef, and they don’t like my beans!” I asked how they cook them, and they showed me. If I’m coming from the outside thinking, “I know what people need, I’m already getting it wrong.
