As our first guest, we’re honored to sit down for a chat with Chef José Andrés! Chef Andrés is not only the founder of the José Andrés Group of over 30 restaurants and the man responsible for popularizing tapas in the United States, but he’s the globally-renowned founder of World Central Kitchen, a powerhouse nonprofit that has spent the last 15 years bringing hundreds of millions of meals to people in times of crisis.
Been a fan of Chef Andres since his work on Hannibal and proud donor via fandom fundraising. Always thrilled to see him getting the attention and support he deserves.
Hi Emily and Misha, I’ve been listening to the Outlaw Ocean podcast and thank you for sharing it in your recommendations! I decided to pick up his book of the same name because I’m so curious to know more, but just got it so haven’t started it yet.
Emily mentioned in our chat that we could share our questions for Ian Urbina for your consideration ahead of your discussion with him in the comments section of this post. Below are the ones I’d like to share with you. Thank you, hope you’re having a lovely week, and take care!
1. What led Ian to start the Outlaw Ocean Project?
2. I think one of the most difficult aspects for me was the horrific human cost (what Ian so aptly termed the “unspoken cost”) of the seafood we consume without a thought and for many entirely unknown (such as myself before listening to the podcast). I know it’s a multi-layered, complex issue politically, socially, economically, and globally, but what does Ian think we as consumers and, more importantly, human beings wanting justice for those being exploited can do to help even in a small way?
3. For Ian, what’s the most difficult aspect of doing this work? How did he and his team learn how to navigate across so many barriers and complexities (political, social, and cultural) to bring these stories to light?
4. Anything Ian can share about what’s next for him and his team?
Misha, Emily thank you for showcasing this amazing man! I never knew this organization existed until today. Thank you can't even be out into words Chef Jose, sending only blessings to you
This was such a great interview. So much common sense, that not enough people have. As a single mom of 4, who works year round as a teacher, I shouldn't have to feel shame that I still need snaps because I live in a country who's citizens aren't paid a living wage. Like Jose said, we deserve dignity. #noshovelsmoreladders
Hi Emily and Misha! I thought of a potential guest for your consideration. Matthew Desmond is the author of “Poverty, By America” (which I’m currently reading and “Evicted” (plan to read soon if not next). I’m not sure if you’ve read them, so forgive my synopsis if you have. He interrogates much of what Chef Andrés was discussing related to why in a wealthy country like the U.S. homelessness and hunger are still prevalent, even though we clearly have enough money to afford munitions and the war industry among other head scratching things our current president is investing in (I’m being nice here but my true feelings are a lot angrier). I think it could be a really interesting conversation for the substack! Thank you and hope you’re having a good day!
****EDIT****
Could also have Stacey Abrams as well!! An amazing guest! ☺️
Happy Sunday, Emily and Misha! WOW, what an amazing conversation to kick off this series on the substack! I really feel so lucky that you’re sharing this with us. I keep saying thank you like a broken record, so everyone’s probably tired of hearing it, but really thank you. I’m going to look up Chef José Andrés’s NYT op-ed that Misha mentioned because I’d love to read it. A lot of this discussion brought this quote from Mister Fred Rogers to mind, and I really feel you and Chef Andrés model it for all of us:
“When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, "Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.”
This also reminded me that it really is still up to the community to organize and meet the needs. Especially right now with the current Government leadership in the U.S., I’ve been so inspired by the every day helpers jumping in when all the institutions put in place for the explicit purpose of helping us fail us. As frustrating (and that’s me putting how I really feel very mildly) as the failure of government support is, the community offers something government doesn’t - love, compassion, and empathy as well as goods and services to meet the need, and I think that’s really beautiful. Also what Chef Andrés said about time is right on (among the other excellent points he made). Time is absolutely a commodity and I know growing up with a single mom who worked long hours, it would have been even harder without my aunt and grandma to keep watch over my little sister and I, let alone get food on the table.
As a side note, I got excited when “Roadfood” was mentioned. LOVE that show! That’s how I discovered Misha, actually. ☺️
I’m thinking about questions for your future guests and my own guest ideas for your consideration, so I’ll come back here and offer those as I think of them. Thank you for opening that up as an opportunity for us! We’re really a part of this, building it together. 🥹 Have a great rest of your weekend and take care!
I have a guest suggestion for you: Mychal Threets. He’s the host of the new Reading Rainbow and he is the personification of library joy. He is so warm and engaging and kind and I think you’ll love him.
As a child, after my home burned down, we were sleeping in a car and obviously didn't have access to electricity and so on, for a pretty long time. When my mother went to charities we were given food items that needed to be refrigerated but also almost out of date if not already out of date. There isn't a lot of consideration for dignity and the individuals needs when supporting people in these situations.
Chef Jose has stolen my heart, I adore and appreciate him so much. What an amazing person, and not discriminating between who deserves his attention and who doesn’t. Every human being deserves shelter, food, education, and safety. 🙏🏼
Chef Andrés has been my hero for years. He’s a man who LOVES food and moreover, cares about FEEDING PEOPLE and making sure we all have good, flavorful, nutritious meals. A fitting start to this page!
What an inspiration. His take on the proper role of democracies in the world and the importance of government as a means to achieve the common good for its citizenry are spot on. Thank you for sharing this interview and giving a platform to these ideas that need reinforcement
What an outstanding conversation. His comments on the younger folks, stepping up to lead instead of the lifelong politicians really resonated with me. We can look at the recent elections in the last week or so and I really believe that that is the direction we’re heading. And as you all alluded to, maybe sometime in the near future, we won’t need snap and shelters because we will work to eliminate the need. Great job Misha and Emily. Thank you.
Been a fan of Chef Andres since his work on Hannibal and proud donor via fandom fundraising. Always thrilled to see him getting the attention and support he deserves.
Hi Emily and Misha, I’ve been listening to the Outlaw Ocean podcast and thank you for sharing it in your recommendations! I decided to pick up his book of the same name because I’m so curious to know more, but just got it so haven’t started it yet.
Emily mentioned in our chat that we could share our questions for Ian Urbina for your consideration ahead of your discussion with him in the comments section of this post. Below are the ones I’d like to share with you. Thank you, hope you’re having a lovely week, and take care!
1. What led Ian to start the Outlaw Ocean Project?
2. I think one of the most difficult aspects for me was the horrific human cost (what Ian so aptly termed the “unspoken cost”) of the seafood we consume without a thought and for many entirely unknown (such as myself before listening to the podcast). I know it’s a multi-layered, complex issue politically, socially, economically, and globally, but what does Ian think we as consumers and, more importantly, human beings wanting justice for those being exploited can do to help even in a small way?
3. For Ian, what’s the most difficult aspect of doing this work? How did he and his team learn how to navigate across so many barriers and complexities (political, social, and cultural) to bring these stories to light?
4. Anything Ian can share about what’s next for him and his team?
Misha, Emily thank you for showcasing this amazing man! I never knew this organization existed until today. Thank you can't even be out into words Chef Jose, sending only blessings to you
your mom's house is beautiful Misha! sparse or full
This was such a great interview. So much common sense, that not enough people have. As a single mom of 4, who works year round as a teacher, I shouldn't have to feel shame that I still need snaps because I live in a country who's citizens aren't paid a living wage. Like Jose said, we deserve dignity. #noshovelsmoreladders
we know how to grow food Misha 😋 . that is very important 👏
Hi Emily and Misha! I thought of a potential guest for your consideration. Matthew Desmond is the author of “Poverty, By America” (which I’m currently reading and “Evicted” (plan to read soon if not next). I’m not sure if you’ve read them, so forgive my synopsis if you have. He interrogates much of what Chef Andrés was discussing related to why in a wealthy country like the U.S. homelessness and hunger are still prevalent, even though we clearly have enough money to afford munitions and the war industry among other head scratching things our current president is investing in (I’m being nice here but my true feelings are a lot angrier). I think it could be a really interesting conversation for the substack! Thank you and hope you’re having a good day!
****EDIT****
Could also have Stacey Abrams as well!! An amazing guest! ☺️
Happy Sunday, Emily and Misha! WOW, what an amazing conversation to kick off this series on the substack! I really feel so lucky that you’re sharing this with us. I keep saying thank you like a broken record, so everyone’s probably tired of hearing it, but really thank you. I’m going to look up Chef José Andrés’s NYT op-ed that Misha mentioned because I’d love to read it. A lot of this discussion brought this quote from Mister Fred Rogers to mind, and I really feel you and Chef Andrés model it for all of us:
“When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, "Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.”
This also reminded me that it really is still up to the community to organize and meet the needs. Especially right now with the current Government leadership in the U.S., I’ve been so inspired by the every day helpers jumping in when all the institutions put in place for the explicit purpose of helping us fail us. As frustrating (and that’s me putting how I really feel very mildly) as the failure of government support is, the community offers something government doesn’t - love, compassion, and empathy as well as goods and services to meet the need, and I think that’s really beautiful. Also what Chef Andrés said about time is right on (among the other excellent points he made). Time is absolutely a commodity and I know growing up with a single mom who worked long hours, it would have been even harder without my aunt and grandma to keep watch over my little sister and I, let alone get food on the table.
As a side note, I got excited when “Roadfood” was mentioned. LOVE that show! That’s how I discovered Misha, actually. ☺️
I’m thinking about questions for your future guests and my own guest ideas for your consideration, so I’ll come back here and offer those as I think of them. Thank you for opening that up as an opportunity for us! We’re really a part of this, building it together. 🥹 Have a great rest of your weekend and take care!
I have a guest suggestion for you: Mychal Threets. He’s the host of the new Reading Rainbow and he is the personification of library joy. He is so warm and engaging and kind and I think you’ll love him.
You speak with a light touch. You're easy to listen to. Keep going 🫂🫀
As a child, after my home burned down, we were sleeping in a car and obviously didn't have access to electricity and so on, for a pretty long time. When my mother went to charities we were given food items that needed to be refrigerated but also almost out of date if not already out of date. There isn't a lot of consideration for dignity and the individuals needs when supporting people in these situations.
Chef Jose has stolen my heart, I adore and appreciate him so much. What an amazing person, and not discriminating between who deserves his attention and who doesn’t. Every human being deserves shelter, food, education, and safety. 🙏🏼
Chef Andrés has been my hero for years. He’s a man who LOVES food and moreover, cares about FEEDING PEOPLE and making sure we all have good, flavorful, nutritious meals. A fitting start to this page!
What an inspiration. His take on the proper role of democracies in the world and the importance of government as a means to achieve the common good for its citizenry are spot on. Thank you for sharing this interview and giving a platform to these ideas that need reinforcement
What an outstanding conversation. His comments on the younger folks, stepping up to lead instead of the lifelong politicians really resonated with me. We can look at the recent elections in the last week or so and I really believe that that is the direction we’re heading. And as you all alluded to, maybe sometime in the near future, we won’t need snap and shelters because we will work to eliminate the need. Great job Misha and Emily. Thank you.
Have you seen this? New bedtime story segment lol. Misha Reads Inspiration!
https://www.sourcebooks.com/9781728279527-jos-feeds-the-world-hc.html