We Fed an Island

The True Story of Rebuilding Puerto Rico, One Meal at a Time

By: José Andrés

Narrated by: José Andrés, Luis A. Miranda Jr.

The true story of how a group of 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’ 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 manmade, offering suggestions for how to address a crisis like this in the future.

©2018 Jose Andres (P)2018 HarperCollins Publishers

Amazing story about food being more than calories

it had me laughing and crying like a baby at the office. Jose Andres is showing the best part of Asturias to the world, all while showing how the system inefficiencies cost us lives. Amazing read, definitely recommend.

Insightful, eye opening, a call to action

Loved listening to the book. The actions and efforts by the world central kitchen is an inspiration for all. It is a call to action for people to contribute to the welfare of humanity and not depend on government and big not for profits. It is an insightful but saddening view of inaction and limiting actions of stringent process driven organizations including government. The example or ants and what they achieve by local action is awesome

Love and a desire to help fed an island

Chef Andres is a man with an enormous heart and determination for action. He accomplished more connecting with the people than a ‘full-of-himself’ paper towel-throwing-no-heart President and his BS red tape loaded administration. Thanks for sharing what you saw with your own eyes, experienced and learned dealing with bureaucrats and “charities”.

wonderful memoir

I loved his show on pbs and have been to his restaurant outside of DC several times. I also remember hearing about this when it was happening. What a wonderful memoir of the trials, failures and success of this disaster. You have to wonder what would have happened if he and others hadn't stepped in and basically saved these people from the utter failure that is the government. Thank you José and everyone that said we can't wait.

Thank you

Thank you for putting into words what was going on on the island and fall are you doing and your staff but as I listen to this I realize that American history going back to the 18 1700s has never been to help the people withOut I see that people want to get rich off of the suffering of their own people as I came to understand with FEMA in the federal government like you said you just wanted to feed the people and you could do it for a lot cheaper price than what they were doing but the politicians and bureaucrats are more interested in the contracts and making money off for the peopleThank you again

absolutely amazing

this chefs story is amazing. thanks to him for his love of people to help feed an island.

Every community leader needs to readOr listen to this book!

As a chef myself, Chef Jose has always been an inspiration. Hearing this story, kicks that up a million fold.
FEMA, the Redd Cross and other “agencies” could learn a lot from this humble man who fed and Lifted PR from the depths of post Maria.

Thank you, Chef. I hope you do receive the Noble Peace prize, it is well deserved.

Oh, Chef does read this himself and his accent is thick. If accents are a challenge, you may be better served reading this beautiful book.

True humanitarian working model

It was sad and inspiring to hear how these chefs were able to overcome the red tape of politics to feed the people of Peurto Rico and to develop a model for future disaster relief. It is tragic that the biggest obstacles were not the hurricane devastated island, but the archaic system our government holds dear. I am not a chef, nor do I think I hold skills that would directly help World Central Kitchen, but I have shared this book on social media and made a couple of financial contributions since I began reading the book. As Jose points out, this hurricane will not be the last weather disaster and the support will be ongoing.

Story of consideration and compassion

The beauty of emotion and humanity is evident as millions of meals were delivered despite the enormous insanity of our government, lack of comprehensive planning/execution, trump's own petty fights, and the inhumane practices of Red Cross, FEMA and "partners" who lack a respect for those who need help. Urgency and a respect for food, shelter, water, distribution, and communication were behind this book. Worth reading to appreciate the basic needs of life and what government officials should know.

Very interesting

I had no idea but it was very interesting how this was handled after the storm.