José Andrés' New WCK Cookbook To Share Recipes From Chefs And Celebs
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Creating legendary meals that have changed the culinary world forever is no small feat. José Andrés has done this. Now, the chef has his sights set on a larger goal — the world at large — with his work through World Central Kitchen, an organization he founded about 13 years ago. Since then, the non-profit has taken on a life of its own and emerged as one of the most impactful humanitarian organizations in the world for disaster relief. In short, it's serious business, and WCK drops into the front lines of the situation.
The organization has been distributing meals in Ukraine; it went to Puerto Rico after Hurricane Maria, braved an Australian bushfire and a volcanic eruption in Spain, and has rushed to the heart of tornadoes, hurricanes, and various disasters around the world. WCK took on a whole new role during the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic when food insecurity ravaged communities.
It's been an eventful few years, to put it bluntly, and now, Andrés is stepping out of the spotlight and using his voice to highlight the work that WCK has been doing. Introducing: "The World Central Kitchen Cookbook: Feeding Humanity, Feeding Hope" – part food and part real-life stories.
A celebration of food, and what food can do
The WCK Cookbook compiles recipes, photos, and stories inspired by the places Andrés and his team have gone to provide relief. But the Michelin-starred chef's experiences won't be the only ones shared here: The cookbook is packed with recipes from celebrity supporters such as Michelle Obama, Marcus Samuelsson, Guy Fieri, Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, and many others. Stephen Colbert even wrote the foreword. Perhaps the most inspiring feature is the first-hand accounts from local cooks and volunteers at the scene.
Sometimes, folks in need are best helped with a hearty and warm sit-down meal. Other times, meals need to be portable and eaten on the go. The WCK Cookbook covers the full spectrum — from the Duchess' Lemon Olive Oil Cake to the Lahmajoun Flatbread that was created to feed people in Beirut, Lebanon, after an explosion in 2020.
The cookbook is now available for pre-order for $35.00 but isn't set for publication until September 12, 2023. All book proceeds will support the WCK's emergency response team, which is committed to arriving at the scene ready to help — no matter where in the world that may be. As Andrés himself puts it on the WCK website, "Food relief is not just a meal that keeps hunger away. It's a plate of hope. It tells you in your darkest hour that someone, somewhere, cares about you."