Humanitarian devoted to feeding world

By Amity Thomas

The 13th annual Stewpot Alliance Soup’s On! Luncheon and Art Sale goes virtual Thursday, Feb. 25 at noon featuring award-winning chef, restaurateur and humanitarian José Andrés. Robert Wilonsky, communications director for Heritage Auctions and op-ed columnist for The Dallas Morning News, joins Chef Andrés for a conversation about how his efforts ensure people worldwide are fed in the wake of catastrophe. Soup’s On! 2021 presented by The Stewpot Alliance is co-chaired by longtime Stewpot supporters Becky and Larry Sykes. 

Proceeds from the luncheon benefit The Stewpot, which now, in its 46th year, serves our neighbors who are experiencing and at risk of homelessness by providing meals (more than 8,000,000 to date), counseling and case management, medical and dental services via onsite partners, youth and family stabilization programs, as well as therapeutic and vocational activities.

Named one of Time’s “100 Most Influential People” in both 2012 and 2018 and recipient of the 2015 National Humanities Medal, José Andrés is an internationally recognized culinary innovator, author, educator, humanitarian and chef/owner of ThinkFoodGroup. 

Chef Andrés has received the James Beard Foundation’s “Outstanding Chef” and “Humanitarian of the Year” awards. Andrés is a committed advocate of food and hunger issues and is known for championing the role of chefs in the national debate on food policy. 

In 2010, Andrés formed World Central Kitchen, a non-profit specializing in delivering food relief in the wake of natural and humanitarian disasters. Since serving nearly 4 million meals to the people of Puerto Rico following the devastation of Hurricane Maria, World Central Kitchen has responded to dozens of disasters worldwide, and distributing tens of millions of meals in the process. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the organization has partnered with restaurants, small farms, and community leaders around the country to combat food insecurity.

This year, the art sale, featuring original pieces of art from the artists at The Stewpot will take place online in conjunction with the virtual luncheon. Single tickets begin at $250, which includes a gift box with sponsorship opportunities available. Since the 2021 event is virtual, a $35 view-only option will be offered. For more information, sponsorship and tickets, visit thestewpot.org/soups-on.