In Kyiv, it is not a general but a leader who advances in front of Volodymyr Zelensky. Since the start of the Russian invasion, José Andrés has been feeding Ukraine in the midst of train stations, hospitals and bombed cities.
On August 25, 2026, the president presented the Spanish-American chef with the “National Legend of Ukraine” distinction, created in 2021. At the same time, the NGO World Central Kitchen crossed the symbolic threshold of 300 million meals served in the country.
A “National Legend of Ukraine” for chef José Andrés
This distinction, one of the highest in Ukraine, rewards personalities who have left their mark on the nation. Around the 35th anniversary of independence, the name of José Andrés joined that of soldiers, caregivers and artists.
Ukraine had already recognized his action by awarding him the Order of Merit second class in 2022. In 2023, the chef also became an ambassador for UNITED24, the official fundraising platform.
World Central Kitchen, the culinary NGO that feeds Ukraine
From February 2022, World Central Kitchen deployed to the Ukrainian borders to serve hot meals to families who were fleeing. And then its teams invested in train stations, reception centers, hospitals and damaged towns.
The model is based on a clear principle: making local chefs, restaurants, collective kitchens, producers and volunteers work to feed residents. As of August 2026, this network has made it possible to distribute more than 300 million meals in Ukraine.
From Ukraine to Gaza, the global action of José Andrés
The organization founded by José Andrés was born after the Haiti earthquake in 2010, when the chef imagined cooking as an emergency tool. Since then, World Central Kitchen has responded to earthquakes, fires, hurricanes and war zones.
Since October 2023, the NGO has also been present in the Middle East, with kitchens in Gaza, Israel, Egypt and Lebanon. By May 2026, it had served more than 360 million meals there, sometimes several hundred thousand per day.
Who is chef José Andrés, honored by Volodymyr Zelensky?
José Andrés is a Spanish-American chef based in the United States, known for his restaurants and tapas. Above all, he is the founder of the NGO World Central Kitchen, involved in numerous humanitarian crises.
Why was José Andrés awarded the “National Legend of Ukraine” distinction?
The Ukrainian president presented him with this decoration in August 2026 to salute nearly five years of commitment alongside the Ukrainians. Since 2022, his NGO has served more than 300 million meals in the country, relying on local actors.
How does World Central Kitchen concretely help the Ukrainian population?
The organization sets up emergency kitchens and collaborates with Ukrainian restaurants, canteens, producers and volunteers. It distributes hot meals and food products to train stations, reception centers, hospitals and towns near the front.
