Chef José Andrés, the driving force behind World Central Kitchen (WCK), was recognised on Monday by US News & World Report as one of the 25 best leaders for 2025.

The timing is particularly poignant as WCK continues its mission in Jamaica, feeding families and communities left devastated by Hurricane Melissa across the island’s western parishes.

Andrés earned the prestigious honour for his tireless commitment to providing immediate, nourishing meals to communities in crisis, underscoring WCK’s foundational belief that food is a universal human right.

Since its founding after the 2010 Haiti earthquake, WCK has scaled its operations into a worldwide logistics network, partnering with local food experts. From delivering 3.7 million meals after Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico, to responding to tornadoes in Ohio and conflict zones including Ukraine and Gaza, WCK’s model is about rapid, effective action.

In an interview with US News & World Report, Andrés attributed this success to a team philosophy of bringing local food experts together, leaning on his experience as a sailor in the Spanish navy. “I learned the power of bringing a group of people together to try to move a ship against winds and against currents, but always trying to take it to the safety of a good port,” Andrés explained. “In the middle of chaos, in the middle of mayhem, trying to organise a response starts by asking and working with whatever we have around us.”

For WCK, teamwork and community are the foundation of every mission. WCK reportedly has prepared 500 million meals across the globe. Andrés insists on working as a collective and prioritising action over indecision. For Andrés, the greatest satisfaction comes from seeing local people empowered to help their neighbours.

“It’s always locals feeding locals, rebuilding their lives and their neighbourhoods together. That’s a special thing to see,” Andrés shared with US News & World Report. “It can change lives not just after a disaster or in a war zone. It can inspire people to help their communities for years and years to come.”