Oscar-winner Bardem recently joined a protest in front of the Russian Embassy in Madrid soon after Russian President Vladimir Putin authorized the invasion of Ukraine.

“I am here to demonstrate my condemnation of the Russian Federation’s warlike actions against Ukraine,” he told the news agency Reuters at the demonstration where about a hundred people, many bearing Ukraine’s blue and yellow flag, had gathered. A video showed the 52-year-old actor wearing a black mask and hoodie and chatting with people at the rally. 

“It is an invasion… It violates Ukraine’s fundamental right to territorial sovereignty, international law, and many other things,” told Bardem to a reporter, adding he was concerned about a possible refugee wave of Ukrainian fleeing war and looking for safety abroad. A week later, the actor’s worries proved prescient. Media reports say that more than 840,000 Ukrainians, including many women and children, have crossed into Poland and other neighboring countries. An order from the Ukrainian government prohibits men 18 to 60 years of age from leaving the country in order to help fight the Russian invasion.

Bardem is among Spain’s most famous artists. He has been nominated four times for the Oscars, winning for best supporting actor in 2008 for his role in No Country for Old Men. This year he competes in the best actor category for his portrayal of  Cuban bandleader Desi Arnaz in the biopic Being the Ricardos. 

The Spanish star has also advocated for other causes like climate justice and the protection of Palestinian civilians in the Israeli-Occupied Territories during armed conflicts.

Shakira is another artist expressing concerns about Russia’s war against Ukraine, especially its impact on the most vulnerable. A few days ago, she retweeted a UNICEF post saying, “The children of Ukraine need peace, NOW.” The Grammy winner has also supported other causes, like children’s education through her own nonprofit, Fundación Pies Descalzos. On Feb. 15, she celebrated International Childhood Cancer Day by posting a video of children completing their chemotherapy. 

Chef Jose Andres, who has ventured into filmmaking as an executive producer of several documentaries, tweeted a video informing that his nonprofit World Central Kitchen was ready to serve food to Ukrainians leaving their homeland, which is under attack by the Russian military. Tweeting from Poland, he asked for donations to help feed the new refugees. He said, “People of the World…Like you, I am distraught watching Ukraine under attack. We must come together as a force for good! @WCKitchen is on Poland border delivering meals tonight—Romania soon. In addition to your donations…I am committing support from the Bezos award to Ukraine.”

Last year, Andrés received a $100 million grant from Amazon billionaire Jeff Bezos for the Spanish chef’s humanitarian work.

People of the World…Like you, I am distraught watching Ukraine under attack. We must come together as a force for good! @WCKitchen is on Poland border delivering meals tonight—Romania soon. In addition to your donations…I am committing support from the Bezos award to Ukraine.?? pic.twitter.com/ws0EFl8zLd

— José Andrés (@chefjoseandres) February 25, 2022

The world-famous chef has executive produced TV specials and series docs, including What’s Eating America, Who’s Feeding America?, Diana Kennedy: Nothing Fancy, Undiscovered Haiti with José Andrés and Made in Spain.

Russia invaded Ukraine on Feb. 24. More than 2,000 Ukrainian civilians have so far been killed during Russia’s ongoing invasion, according to Ukraine’s State Emergency Service. A U.N. agency anticipates the number of Ukrainian refugees could soon surpass 1 million.

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Renowned Chef José Andrés has fought hunger with his non-governmental organization World Central Kitchen in America and beyond. Now he’s throwing his weight behind an effort to win the pandemic in the U.S.

Andrés, who appears often in top-rated American shows like Today, News Sunday Morning and The Ellen DeGeneres Show, says he’ll give away $50 gift certificates to people getting vaccinated. The certificates could be redeemed at any of his famous restaurants in the Washington, D.C. area. 

“We want everyone vaccinated,” has tweeted the celebrity cook who has been featured in the TV series Top Chef. The offer will stand until the country gets 70 percent of the population inoculated against COVID 19, he says. Restaurant patrons must show “vaccine papers” to take advantage of the special offer at the chef’s D.C. eateries.

Andres’s company Think Food Group has eight restaurants in the nation’s capital, including Barmini, China Chilcano, Jaleo and Minibar.

TFG also has locations in Miami, Las Vegas, New York, Orlando and the Bahamas that offer Spanish, Mexican, Peruvian and other cuisines.

This is not the first time the famous cook gets involved in the pandemic. Last year, his NGO’s efforts to feed those struggling financially during the coronavirus in his natal Spain made him the subject of the documentary film José Andrés. Cocina Frente a la Pandemia for Radio Televisión Española, RTVE.

World Central Kitchen has also responded to hurricanes and other emergencies in Haiti, Peru, Houston, Puerto Rico, California, Hawaii, Indonesia, Guatemala, Mexico, the Carolinas, Florida, Nebraska, Mozambique, Colombia, and Venezuela, according to the NGO’s Facebook page.

Andrés may arguably be one of the most famous chefs in America and the world. Time magazine named him one of “100 Most Influential People” in 2011. He has won nearly a dozen honors for both his cuisine and humanitarian work, including stars from the Michelin Guide, the National Humanities Medal in 2015, the McCall-Pierpaoli Award from Refugees International, an Honorary Doctorate of Public Service from George Washington University and the Hispanic Heritage Award from the Hispanic Heritage Foundation.

Andrés has earned even more global notoriety for being the only chef and one of very few people in the world who have sued Donald Trump (The Apprentice) and forced the now-former president to settle a lawsuit. The Spanish chef backed out of a deal to open a restaurant at the Trump International Hotel in Washington, D.C. The immigrant cook did not appreciate presidential candidate Trump launching his presidential campaign attacking Mexican immigrants in 2015. Trump sued and Andrés countersued in return. Both parties settled their lawsuit reportedly on amicable, undisclosed terms. But ultimately no TGF restaurant will be part of the ex-president’s DC hotel.

Featured Photo: Celebrity Chef José Andrés also leads the nonprofit World Central Kitchen to feed the hungry. Credit: WCK’s Facebook page.

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