Donald Trump

José Andrés to Feed Federal Workers as Shutdown Drags On

"We believe that no person should have to go through the pain of not knowing what to feed their children"

Famed chef José Andrés has fed people around in the world in the wake of disasters — and next he's headed to help federal workers in D.C.

Andrés announced Monday morning that his nonprofit, World Central Kitchen, will open an "emergency kitchen" on Pennsylvania Avenue to feed furloughed federal workers for free. 

"We believe that no person should have to go through the pain of not knowing what to feed their children," he said in a video filmed in Puerto Rico and posted to Twitter. 

The World Central Kitchen location will open Wednesday at 701 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, near the United States Navy Memorial. It's set to be open every day from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and serve a "rotating menu of hot meals, sandwiches and salads," a statement from the organization said. Take-home meal kits will be offered soon. 

Andrés, who is an outspoken critic of President Donald Trump, called for national unity and an end to the longest government shutdown in U.S. history.

"I hope [the Kitchen] will be a call to action to our senators and congressmen, and especially President Trump, to make sure that we end this moment in the history of America where families are about to go hungry," he said.

Renowned chef José Andrés has turned up in North Carolina to lead a hot food drive as the state deals with Tropical Storm Florence. News4's Barbara Harrison caught up with Andrés to discuss his efforts.

"We should always come together as We the People, as Americans, bipartisan. Republicans and Democrats. All Americans."

During the shutdown, Andrés' restaurants — including America Eats Tavern, Beefsteak, Oyamel and Zaytinya — have offered federal workers and their families free sandwiches, from 2 to 5 p.m. daily, until the shutdown ends.

Federal workers must present valid government ID. 

Contact Us