Chef Jose Andres Is Transforming 8 Of His Restaurants Into Temporary Soup Kitchens

March 18, 2020

Chef Jose Andres is transforming eight of his restaurants in New York City and Washington, DC into soup kitchens for those who are struggling during the Coronavirus pandemic.

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All my restaurants in DC area are closed until further notice. Here at @ThinkFoodGroup safety of employees & guests is top priority. Some restaurants will transform into Community Kitchens to offer to-go lunches for those who need a meal. These Community Kitchens will be part of @WCKitchen efforts across the country in the coming days & weeks. Not for enjoyment....but a service for people in need of a plate of food during this emergency. We are in an unprecedented emergency...and as painful as it is, ALL restaurants, bars, etc. must be closed across America if we are to avoid what’s happening in other countries. This is the only way. In this moment, loving each other means staying away from each other. This is about We The People. Each of us has a responsibility to act for others, not just ourselves. We are all together in this fight. 💪🇺🇸

A post shared by Jose Andres (@chefjoseandres) on Mar 15, 2020 at 10:23pm PDT

Carry-out only meals cost $7 for guests who can afford it, but volunteers running the kitchens will be flexible with customers who may be out of work.

There's also an option to donate a meal to someone else.

"Those who cannot afford to pay we will welcome as well," Andres said in a statement.

The community kitchens will operate out of the restaurants' side doors from 12 PM – 5 PM daily.

Also, all of his employees are getting paid leave and current health benefits for at least the first two weeks.

"We are in an unprecedented emergency...and as painful as it is, ALL restaurants, bars, etc. must be closed across America if we are to avoid what’s happening in other countries. This is the only way," Andres wrote on Instagram. "In this moment, loving each other means staying away from each other. This is about We The People. Each of us has a responsibility to act for others, not just ourselves. We are all together in this fight."

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Reporting in from Oakland at the Port as we @WCKitchen deliver lunch, dinner and tomorrows breakfast onto the quarantined #GrandPrincess ship! #ChefsForAmerica

A post shared by Jose Andres (@chefjoseandres) on Mar 12, 2020 at 3:07pm PDT