Podcast Summary: The Interview (BBC World Service)

Episode: José Andrés, chef and humanitarian: Food is a human right

Date: February 23, 2026
Host: Katrina Perry
Guest: Chef José Andrés

Overview

This episode of The Interview features Chef José Andrés, renowned chef and founder of World Central Kitchen (WCK). Focused on his humanitarian work, particularly in Gaza, Andrés discusses how food is not only essential for survival but also a fundamental human right that intersects with dignity and justice. He shares insights into leading massive humanitarian operations in crisis zones and reflects on the global challenges where food—and its denial—has become a weapon of war.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Food as a Human Right and Weapon of War

• Food’s Centrality to Dignity:
  Andrés argues that food is inseparable from human dignity and a right that must be championed globally, especially for children and in conflict zones.

  "Food is a human right, a human right that should be supported by everybody. That no children should go bad, hungry even less in a conflict." (02:30 – Chef José Andrés)

• Weaponization of Food:
  He details the historical and present use of hunger as a weapon—citing examples from Ukraine’s Holodomor to the ongoing crises in Gaza and Ukraine.

  “Food has been used as a weapon of war, as a way of punishment, and this should not be allowed by any civilized, democratic country.” (02:39 – Chef José Andrés)

2. Origins and Philosophy of World Central Kitchen

• Family Foundation and Early Experiences:
  Inspired by his nurse parents and early volunteer work, he realized that the skills of a chef can scale from a restaurant to humanitarian missions.

  "The same talent I have to feed a few is a talent... to feed the many." (03:32 – Chef José Andrés)

  Andrés gives credit to Robert Egger (DC Central Kitchen) for teaching him the power of food in empowering communities.

• Approach to Emergencies:
  WCK moves quickly, often arriving ahead of larger organizations, emphasizing action and adaptability.

  "The only thing you had to do to feed people today after an emergency was to arrive, find the fire, find the people, find the food, and start cooking." (04:25 – Chef José Andrés)

3. Operational Challenges in Gaza

• Expanding to 1 Million Meals Per Day:
  Andrés describes scaling up, starting from a single kitchen in partnership with local organizations, and the logistical complexities—including coordinating warehouses, permissions, and multiplying staff and bakeries.

  "At the end is Palestinians feeding Palestinians... who is running this operation is amazing Palestinians doing God's work." (05:41 – Chef José Andrés)

• Logistical Barriers:
  He openly discusses the hurdles of getting food and supplies into Gaza—navigating permits from Israeli authorities, and the critical need to massively increase the scale of aid.

  "More humanitarian aid needs to go in to cover the basic needs of every single Palestinian." (08:22 – Chef José Andrés)

• Bittersweet Milestones and Mourning Loss:
  Despite reaching the milestone of serving a million meals a day, Andrés emphasizes the tragedy of losing WCK workers in Gaza and the ongoing suffering.

  “The death of the seven World Central Kitchen team members... that was for me personally a big blowout.” (09:14 – Chef José Andrés)
  "We need more trucks, we need more food, we need more tents, we need more medical care, more medicines, more equipment. The need in Gaza still is enormous." (11:20 – Chef José Andrés)

4. Speed and Agility vs. Bureaucracy in Humanitarian Response

• Why WCK is Faster than Large Agencies:
  WCK’s small size and flat structure allow for rapid response and improvisation, in contrast to bureaucracies that can be slow to act.

  "We're a small organization and very nimble organization, allow us sometimes to adapt very quickly." (13:25 – Chef José Andrés)

• Practicality over Procedure:
  Andrés insists that in emergencies, pragmatism and on-the-ground intelligence matter more than top-down planning.

  “Food sometimes doesn't solve problems, the long term problems, but food is the beginning to make sure that people don't lose hope.” (13:37 – Chef José Andrés)

5. The Political Landscape: UN, USAID, and International Aid

• Critique of International Aid Systems:
  He calls for reform in global institutions like the UN and laments the demise of pragmatic, actionable intelligence in international aid.

  "Humanity dies in darkness if governments, NGOs and people don't take action." (14:37 – Chef José Andrés)

  Andrés advocates for involving local populations in decisions about their own futures, especially in Gaza.

  "The people of Gaza need to be on the table where we are discussing the future of Gaza. Nobody else can be deciding on behalf of Palestinians." (15:53 – Chef José Andrés)

• Consequences of Shuttering USAID:
  He criticizes the decision to disband USAID, arguing it diminishes American soft power and collective global response to crises.

  "Since USAID shut down, I think the world is not a better place... I hope that President Trump and Secretary Rubio will reconsider and bring USAID again forward." (18:37 – Chef José Andrés)

6. Humanitarian Work Inside the US

• Disaster Response at Home:
  WCK also addresses crises in the US, including climate disasters and providing for federal workers during government shutdowns. Andrés shares a personal approach—using his own restaurants for relief.

  "I began just saying, listen, until our politicians stop acting like children and take care of the people they're supposed to serve, let me start taking care of... those people that are going through hardships." (21:15 – Chef José Andrés)

• Dignity over Charity:
  Andrés distinguishes between pity and respect, emphasizing respect and dignity in aid.

  "People don't want our pity. People want our respect. And when you put a plate of food in the table, you do it because you are giving them the dignity they deserve." (21:46 – Chef José Andrés)

7. Motivation and the Hope Found in Crisis

• Finding Hope in the Worst Moments:
  Andrés is motivated by seeing diverse people come together to help in emergencies, and believes such moments reveal the best of humanity.

  "When I go to these situations in the worst moments of humanity, the best of humanity shows up." (23:18 – Chef José Andrés)

• Call for Transformative Leadership:
  He calls for leaders who can unite rather than divide, and who serve the entirety of their people.

  “How we achieve that moment when we have leaders that bring us together, when we have leaders that don't bring the worst instincts within all of us, but the best angels we all have within. This is the type of leaders we need.” (23:48 – Chef José Andrés)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• "Food is a human right, a human right that should be supported by everybody. That no children should go bad, hungry even less in a conflict."
  — Chef José Andrés (02:30)

• "At the end is Palestinians feeding Palestinians... It's amazing Palestinians doing God's work."
  — Chef José Andrés (05:41)

• "The suffering that those people were going through was so highly unnecessary. Therefore, food is a human right… food has been used as a weapon of war, as a way of punishment."
  — Chef José Andrés (16:18)

• "People don't want our pity. People want our respect. And when you put a plate of food in the table, you do it because you are giving them the dignity they deserve."
  — Chef José Andrés (21:46)

• "In the worst moments of humanity, the best of humanity shows up."
  — Chef José Andrés (23:18)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [02:30] – Food as a human right, weaponization in conflict
• [03:07] – Early influences, philosophy behind WCK
• [05:17] – Operating in Gaza, scaling up operations
• [07:04] – Logistical struggle and political constraints in Gaza
• [09:14] – Reflections on loss of WCK colleagues; bittersweet milestones
• [13:25] – WCK’s speed vs. bureaucracy of large organizations
• [14:33] – Critique of international aid, role of the UN
• [16:08] – Hunger as a weapon across modern conflicts
• [18:36] – Impact of USAID’s closure
• [20:04] – Domestic disasters and government response
• [21:46] – Dignity in humanitarian aid
• [23:08] – Motivation and hope in crisis

Tone and Style

José Andrés is passionate, candid, and pragmatic throughout, unafraid to criticize global leadership or bureaucracy but consistently hopeful, focusing on collective action and the innate goodness that emerges in adversity.

This episode is a compelling exploration of the intersections between humanitarianism, food security, and global politics, brought to life by Andrés’s vivid anecdotes and heartfelt conviction. Even those new to his work will find inspiration and insight in his approach—centered on dignity, solidarity, and the power of “just showing up.”