Perennial Cayman Cookout headliner chef José Andrés has been honoured with the 2023 Lions International Humanitarian Award for the work of his charity organisation World Central Kitchen.
Andrés, whose dishes and entrances are main attractions at the annual cookout event at The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman, received the award at the Lions International 105th Convention held in Boston, Massachusetts this week.
The world-renowned chef was unable to attend the event in person, but accepted the award via video message.
Speaking on behalf of his World Kitchen team, Andrés said he was “humbled and honoured” to have been bestowed with the award and the recognition.
He said he knew that fighting hunger, disaster relief and supporting refugees are part of the Lions mission and he lauded the selfless service by members of the international organisation.
World Central Kitchen CEO Erin Gore was on hand at the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center to receive the award from Lions International president Brian Sheehan.
The award is the association’s highest honour, given to an individual or an organisation in recognition of exemplary humanitarian efforts.
It comes with a grant for up to US$250,000 to the charitable organisation for continuing humanitarian activities, according to a Lions International press release.
Andrés joins prior recipients including Mother Teresa, former US President Jimmy Carter and Nobel Peace Prize-winner Dr. Denis Mukwege.
“We are truly honored to present this award to Chef José Andrés, whose work is changing lives and making a profound impact on the world,” Sheehan said in a statement, adding that as Lions, “we strive to ensure all communities have access to nutritious food”.
‘A man of action’
Not only is Andrés a highly respected mover and shaker in the culinary field, he said, but “he is also a man of action in humanitarian efforts and truly shows the world that food can help us rebuild after even the most unthinkable challenges”.
Andrés founded World Central Kitchen in 2010 and is often first to the frontlines, providing fresh meals in response to crises while working to build resilient food systems with locally-led solutions. To date, World Central Kitchen has served more than 300 million nourishing meals around the world, the statement said.
Andrés is set to return to Cayman for the annual Cayman Cookout being held 10-15 January 2024.
At the annual Lions convention, club members from around the world, including the Cayman Islands, meet in fellowship and service.
For this year’s gathering, members participated in projects that benefitted local charities in the Boston area.
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