8 Latinx Celebrity Chefs Who Give Back
When Hurricane Maria struck Puerto Rico, chef José Andrés didn’t wait for anyone else to help — he jumped in right away and has, by today’s count, provided millions of meals to people who need aid
Photo: Instagram/chefmarcela
When Hurricane Maria struck Puerto Rico, chef José Andrés didn’t wait for anyone else to help — he jumped in right away and has, by today’s count, provided millions of meals to people who need aid. His work has been so outstanding that he has been named the James Beard Foundation’s Humanitarian of the Year. And the count of his meals? Over three million thanks to his relief-oriented organization World Central Kitchen. He himself has spent the past year running from one disaster-ravaged area to the next, so this honor is no surprise.
Thanks to all of his incredible work, many in Puerto Rico are getting help despite the poor U.S. response. He’s not the only celebrity chef who gives back, though. Many take it to heart and help the communities around them. From Lorena Garcia’s “Big Chef, Little Chef” program to Jose Garces’ Garces Foundation, here are eight Latinx chefs who give back.
1. José Andrés
José Andrés has just been named the James Beard Foundation’s Humanitarian of the Year due to all of the aid he has provided around the world. In particular, Andrés has provided millions of meals to the residents of Puerto Rico and is still working to help those affected by the destruction of Hurricane Maria in September 2017.wp_*posts
2. Lorena Garcia
Chef Lorena Garcia is committed to helping young children learn valuable cooking skills that will allow them to not only create healthy meals for themselves but also learn new skills. Not only does she volunteer for this cause but she also developed the “Big Chef, Little Chef” program that helps kids and their families take control of their eating habits.wp_*posts
3. Aarón Sánchez
“I want to help the next generation of Latino chefs, so I support John Besh’s Chefs Move! scholarship program,” he told Food Network. “It gives minority applicants from New Orleans the chance to attend culinary school so they can come home and become leaders in restaurant kitchens.”wp_*posts
4. Marcela Valladolid
“I’m a huge supporter of this foundation, which helps families with babies in neonatal intensive care units,” she said to Food Network. “The founder recently launched Miracle Babies Mexico and has raised money for a new NICU at Tijuana General Hospital, in my hometown.”wp_*posts
5. Angelo Sosa
“This charity is amazing and very close to my heart,” he said about his partnership with Send Me On Vacation, an organization that aims to send breast cancer survivors on their dream vacation following the completion of their treatment.. “One of my very close friends, also a breast cancer survivor, has become very passionate about the organization and she is ‘Jetting Pink Across America’ with the group in October to send a survivor from each city on vacation.”wp_*posts
6. Ingrid Hoffmann
Ingrid gives back to the community as a board member of New York City’s Food and Education Fund and Miami’s Amigos for Kids, is an active supporter of Manhattan’s Food and Finance High School and Believe for Colombia Foundation, and helped to find food donations for Texas after Hurricane Harvey.
Needing volunteer near Pearland Texas to transport donated food tomorrow at Pearland airport, please DM me
— ingrid hoffmann (@IngridHoffmann) September 1, 2017
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7. Jose Garces
Founded in 2012, the Garces Foundation (started by the chef) is committed to ensuring that Philadelphia’s immigrant community has access to healthcare and educational services. The organization partners with others in order to support the immigrant community so that they can actively contribute their talents to making Philadelphia “truly world-class.”wp_*posts
8. Chef Lala
The chef, who focuses on delicious eating and a healthy lifestyle, volunteers with Project Amiga in order to teach pregnant women the importance of healthy choices. The organization is dedicated to address the high unemployment and school dropout rate among Latinos, which includes assisting teens, young adults and their families through their various commitments.
