Inspired Conversations: José Andrés

Please join us for a lively conversation with José Andrés, an internationally-recognized chef, restaurateur and humanitarian and owner of ThinkFoodGroup. Andrés takes the stage with moderator Lee Svitak Dean, editor of the Star Tribune’s Taste section, as a part of our new speaker series, Inspired Conversations, focused on goodness, hope and solutions, presented in partnership between Hennepin Theatre Trust and Star Tribune.

Named one of Time’s “100 Most Influential People” in both 2012 and 2018 and awarded “Outstanding Chef” and “Humanitarian of the Year” by the James Beard Foundation, José Andrés is a pioneer of Spanish tapas in the United States and is known for his groundbreaking avant-garde cuisine and his award-winning group of more than 30 restaurants plus a food truck located throughout the country. Andrés is the only chef globally that has both a two-star Michelin restaurant and four Bib Gourmands.

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 nonprofit that provides smart solutions to hunger and poverty by using the power of food to empower communities and strengthen economies.

Andrés’ work has earned awards and distinctions including the 2017 Lifetime Achievement Award from International Association of Culinary Professionals and the 2015 National Humanities Medal, one of twelve distinguished recipients of the award from the National Endowment for the Humanities. Andrés was also named EY Master Entrepreneur of the Year in Greater Washington for his leadership and impact on the global business community and was also awarded the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute’s Chair’s Medallion Award.