DeLauro, Pelosi, McGovern Nominate José Andrés, World Central Kitchen for Nobel Peace Prize

Ranking Member of the House Appropriations Committee Rosa DeLauro, Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi, and Ranking Member of the House Rules Committee Jim McGovern announced their nomination of Chef José Andrés and his organization World Central Kitchen for the Nobel Peace Prize.  Their nomination recognizes Chef Andrés and World Central Kitchen’s quick, extensive and life-saving responses to recent emergencies around the globe, including the COVID-19 pandemic, the war in Ukraine and the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

“Chef Andrés and his team are nothing short of heroes for humanity – not only conquering hunger but spreading hope,” Ranking Member DeLauro, Speaker Emerita Pelosi, and Ranking Member McGovern wrote in a letter to the Norwegian Nobel Committee.  “Responding to natural disasters, humanitarian crises and war zones without hesitation, Chef Andrés and his team have served more than 350 million meals worldwide.  During many dark and difficult moments, the impact of Chef Andrés and World Central Kitchen has been extraordinary.”

A nomination for the Nobel Peace Prize may be submitted by qualified nominators, which includes members of national assemblies. The Norwegian Nobel Committee, comprised of five members appointed by the Norwegian parliament, is responsible for selecting the Nobel Peace Prize laureates. The laureates will be announced in October.

Read the letter from Speaker Emerita Pelosi, Ranking Member DeLauro and Ranking Member McGovern below. 

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Dear Members of the Norwegian Nobel Committee:

It is with the utmost respect for the Norwegian Nobel Committee that we write to nominate José Andrés and World Central Kitchen for the Nobel Peace Prize. Chef Andrés and his team are nothing short of heroes for humanity – not only conquering hunger but spreading hope.

When a devastating earthquake struck Haiti in 2010, Chef Andrés launched World Central Kitchen with a simple yet powerful vision: that food can be a force for good. His innovative model – providing local dishes with local ingredients prepared by local people – has proven nimble and effective. Responding to natural disasters, humanitarian crises and war zones without hesitation, Chef Andrés and his team have served more than 350 million meals worldwide.

During many dark and difficult moments, the impact of Chef Andrés and World Central Kitchen has been extraordinary. All are in awe of how, during the COVID-19 pandemic, Chef Andrés quickly marshaled the effort to provide 40 million meals to feed the hungry across the world. We in Congress saw firsthand how respectful he is of the people he serves, when he came to the U.S. Capitol to feed the National Guard after the January 6th insurrection. During Russia’s barbaric invasion of Ukraine, World Central Kitchen set up shop in Kyiv to distribute hot meals and grocery kits. Amid violence and chaos in Gaza, he distributed food and aid to displaced Palestinians.

José Andrés and World Central Kitchen are a generational global phenomenon, with a desire to help those in need that is as saintly as it is insatiable. They do not accept obstacles between their meals and those who need them. Chef Andrés gets his own boots on the ground, even in the most harrowing places, because the need is there. And he believes in building “longer tables,” with enough good food for all.

For his selfless personal commitment to feeding the hungry and launching World Central Kitchen, we believe José Andrés is most deserving of the Nobel Peace Prize and we are honored to nominate him. 

Thank you for your consideration.