This month’s review is by Richard Bellikoff
The World Central Kitchen Cookbook: Feeding Humanity, Feeding Hope
By José Andrés & World Central Kitchen with Sam Chapple-Sokol
Cookbooks are very popular these days. You may have a few yourself. This one is unique. Inspired by a trip to Haiti in 2010, chef José Andrés founded World Central Kitchen (WCK), a global nonprofit that has cooked millions of nourishing meals for people impacted by natural disasters, wars and other crises, most recently in Gaza and the parts of the USA devastated by Hurricanes Helene and Milton.
In the foreword, Stephen Colbert praises José’s love of humanity: “Thankfully, José’s love is not only visible, it is edible.” The recipes are grouped into themes based on WCK’s core values. “Urgency” focuses on food that can be eaten on the go, including the Lahmajoun Flatbread served after a destructive 2020 explosion in Beirut. “Hope” contains soups, stews, and comforting meals, such as Ukrainian Borsch served to families living through Russia’s invasion and Chicken Chili Verde prepared for California firefighters. “Empathy” is the ability to put yourself in someone else’s shoes and understand their feelings. Recipes in this section are for braises and other long cooks. “Adaptation” is about working your way out of any situation, with recipes that include sheet pans and paella pans. “Community” means neighbors helping neighbors in tough times. These are dishes to share with family and friends. “Resilience” involves not only feeding people after crises, but also helping to rebuild food systems to withstand future shocks. Recipes here are designed to support farmers and small food producers. Children are especially vulnerable to the impacts of disasters, and a section called “Joy” has recipes for sweets, drinks, and for celebrating special occasions like birthdays.
Each recipe also includes profiles and photos of those who cook and serve the meals, often local people working in their own communities. There’s the Puerto Rican Sancocho from Chefs for Puerto Rico, a crew of chefs, restaurateurs and food truck owners who worked with WCK to cook after Hurricane María. Famous WCK supporters also share recipes, like Breakfast Tacos from Michelle Obama and a Lemon Olive Oil Cake from Meghan Markle. Other recipe contributors include celebrity chefs such as Marcus Samuelsson, Emeril Lagasse and Guy Fieri. My favorite recipe so far is the delicious Qorma-E-Nakhod (Chickpea Stew With Creamy Goat Cheese Sauce), contributed by Nadia Ghulum, a chef and writer who emigrated to Spain from Afghanistan and helped WCK feed Afghani refugees in Madrid.
All proceeds from this wonderful cookbook will support WCK’s emergency response work. It’s the perfect holiday gift and you’ll be contributing to a worthy cause.