ACTFL is pleased to announce renowned chef and humanitarian José Andrés as its Opening General Session Keynote Speaker for the ACTFL Annual Convention and World Languages Expo in Boston, MA, on November 18, 2022.
Twice named one of Time’s “100 Most Influential People” and recipient of the 2015 National Humanities Medal, José Andrés is an internationally-recognized culinary innovator, author, educator, humanitarian, and chef/owner of ThinkFoodGroup. A naturalized U.S. citizen originally from Asturias, Spain, Andrés has been a tireless advocate for immigration reform and was named by President Barack Obama the “Outstanding American by Choice” in 2014.
Andrés is a committed advocate of food and hunger. In 2010, Andrés formed World Central Kitchen, a non-profit specializing in delivering food relief in the wake of natural and humanitarian disasters. From serving nearly 4 million meals to the people of Puerto Rico following the devastation of Hurricane Maria, World Central Kitchen to most recently responding to the cyclone in Madagascar, and volcanic eruption in Tonga. They have distributed tens of millions of meals.
“I am thrilled to welcome Chef José Andrés, whom I consider to be a hero and role model, to ACTFL 2022 in Boston for a different kind of keynote,” said ACTFL President Victoria Russell. “As part of an informal one-on-one conversational format, I will ask him questions from fellow educators, including how he translates his passion into tireless advocacy and service to humanity. I have no doubt that he will inspire all who attend the conference either in-person or virtually.”
The ACTFL Opening General Session will be held in the Ballroom of the Boston Convention and Exposition Center (BCEC). on Friday, November 18, 2022.