Chef Andrés Expanding Free Meals for Federal Workers from D.C. to Nationwide

The renowned chef whose kitchens whipped up more than 100,000 meals per day to feed hungry Puerto Ricans after Hurricane Maria is now heating the stove to feed federal workers nationwide who have gone without pay during the month-long government shutdown.

José Andrés started his World Central Kitchen after the 2010 Haiti earthquake to help feed families struggling after the disaster.

A week ago, World Central Kitchen set up shop at 701 Pennsylvania Ave. NW in Washington, near the Navy Memorial. The #ChefsForFeds location has been serving up free hot meals and packaged to-go items for federal employees and their families.

Monday’s menu was a sweet chili chicken sandwich with fresh avocado, bacon and ginger aioli, with a vegan option of a Thai bowl with farro, quinoa, veggies and peanut sauce. The soup was an Asian curry vegetable stew.

The kitchen is open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., and federal employee ID is required.

Busy day at our #ChefsForFeds kitchen in DC! Thank you to everyone who came by — we are grateful for your service! 🙏🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/Cie8FpauUD

— WorldCentralKitchen (@WCKitchen) January 22, 2019

Never imagined we @WCKitchen would be feeding the Justice Department and FBI! We are so grateful for your service…is a small thing we are doing for you, wish we could do more! #ChefsForFeds pic.twitter.com/xhG9eYI8lm

— José Andrés (@chefjoseandres) January 17, 2019

Delivered hot soup and Cubano sandwiches to US Park Police officers working on this chilly day in DC! #ChefsForFeds pic.twitter.com/7078vOy5Ae

— WorldCentralKitchen (@WCKitchen) January 19, 2019

Andrés said today that 6,000 to 8,000 hot meals per day have been served since the Pennsylvania Avenue kitchen opened.

The chef announced today that within the next 48 hours more than 30 restaurants and food trucks dedicated to feeding federal workers will launch in a dozen states in addition to D.C. and Puerto Rico.

BIG news! In the next 48 hours #ChefsForFeds restaurants and food trucks are activating across the nation!! pic.twitter.com/AxVUGeUFex

— José Andrés (@chefjoseandres) January 23, 2019