We Fed an Island: The True Story of Rebuilding Puerto Rico, One Meal at a Time

Written by José Andrés

Narrated by José Andrés and Luis A. Miranda

FOREWORD BY LIN-MANUEL MIRANDA AND LUIS A. MIRANDA, JR.

The true story of how José Andrés and World Central Kitchen’s chefs fed hundreds of thousands of hungry Americans after Hurricane Maria and touched the hearts of many more

Chef José Andrés arrived in Puerto Rico four days after Hurricane Maria ripped through the island. The economy was destroyed and for most people there was no clean water, no food, no power, no gas, and no way to communicate with the outside world.

Andrés addressed the humanitarian crisis the only way he knew how: by feeding people, one hot meal at a time. From serving sancocho with his friend José Enrique at Enrique’s ravaged restaurant in San Juan to eventually cooking 100,000 meals a day at more than a dozen kitchens across the island, Andrés and his team fed hundreds of thousands of people, including with massive paellas made to serve thousands of people alone. At the same time, they also confronted a crisis with deep roots, as well as the broken and wasteful system that helps keep some of the biggest charities and NGOs in business.

Based on Andrés’s insider’s take as well as on meetings, messages, and conversations he had while in Puerto Rico, We Fed an Island movingly describes how a network of community kitchens activated real change and tells an extraordinary story of hope in the face of disasters both natural and man-made, offering suggestions for how to address a crisis like this in the future. 

Beyond that, a portion of the proceeds from the book will be donated to the Chef Relief Network of World Central Kitchen for efforts in Puerto Rico and beyond.

• Language: English
• Publisher: HarperCollins
• Release date: Sep 11, 2018
• ISBN: 9780062884039

José Andrés

José Andrés is a Michelin-starred chef, an Emmy Award–winning TV host and producer, and a New York Times bestselling author of Change the Recipe, Zaytinya, Vegetables Unleashed, and The World Central Kitchen Cookbook. A pioneer of Spanish tapas in America and a celebrated ambassador of Spanish cooking, his renowned José Andrés Group operates more than forty restaurants across the United States and beyond. Andrés is the founder of the nonprofit World Central Kitchen and has been honored as Outstanding Chef and Humanitarian of the Year by the James Beard Foundation. He has twice been named one of Time’s 100 Most Influential People, and has been awarded both the Presidential Medal of Freedom and one of Spain’s highest honors, the Princesa de Asturias Foundation’s Concordia Prize, for his humanitarian work.

Reviews for We Fed an Island

[Sharon Lundahl · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This is one of the most informative and inspiring books I have ever read. Jose Andres is an example of an immigrant who brings fresh energy, vision, and skill to enlist people of all backgrounds to address a disaster and make a huge difference.

[Brett Seyboth · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Chef Jose Andres is a beautiful man. He is truly the Mother Teresa of cooking. This book is a wonderful observation of perseverance through natural disaster, island life, and bureaucracy . Now in 2022 this Angel of Culinary is cooking in a war zone in Ukraine. Truly inspirational!

[drfuriosa · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

José Andrés is a remarkable man, and his frank recounting of the efforts to feed and rebuild Puerto Rico come to life. The narrative craft itself does not quite live up to the story, but Andrés narrates the audiobook to lend an intimate tone to his story. I recommend listening to the book.

[bostonian71 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

A bit repetitious, especially in its criticisms of Trump, FEMA and the big NGOs. But when you read about the devastation in Puerto Rico -- and all the delays, denials and missteps of the federal response -- you completely understand Andrés' frustration. His passion for feeding people shines on every page, and although there are notes of self-congratulation, he does credit the numerous people who stepped up to donate, organize, put together sandwiches and hot food, etc. Plus he and his charity cooked and delivered an astounding number of meals under very difficult circumstances, and that deserves a ton of kudos. Hopefully his narrative will inspire more people to pitch in -- and to make better plans before the next disaster strikes.