WASHINGTON — Celebrity chef José Andrés has been removed from his position on the President’s Council on Sports, Fitness, and Nutrition, according to a recent announcement. The decision comes as part of a broader shake-up of the council’s members.
José Andrés, a Spanish-American chef, humanitarian, and restaurateur, is best known for his pioneering role in bringing small plates dining (tapas) to the U.S. and for his leadership of the nonprofit World Central Kitchen, which provides meals in the wake of natural disasters and humanitarian crises. He has been recognized globally for his philanthropic efforts, including organizing large-scale food relief efforts for disaster-affected regions such as Puerto Rico after Hurricane Maria and Ukraine during the Russian invasion.
Earlier this month, Andres received the Presidential Medal of Freedom from former President Joe Biden, now seen as a parting gift from the U.S. government.
A vocal critic of Trump in the past, Andrés gained attention in 2016 for withdrawing from a restaurant deal at Trump’s Washington, D.C., hotel after then-candidate Trump made controversial comments about immigrants.
The legal dispute that followed was ultimately settled out of court.