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.

The post Celebrity Chef José Andrés Wants Americans Vaccinated first appeared on .

The 63rd edition of the Grammy Awards won’t be taking place later this month as originally announced. The music award ceremony has been rescheduled to March 14 because of the worsening COVID pandemic in Los Angeles. The announcement was made in a joint statement by the Recording Academy, CBS, and show producers. 

The awards were originally slated to take place on Jan. 31 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles and to be broadcast on the CBS network, with comedian and The Daily Show host Trevor Noah hosting.

“After thoughtful conversations with health experts, our host, and artists scheduled to appear, we are rescheduling the 63rd Annual Grammy Awards to be broadcast Sunday, March 14, 2021,” the statement reads. “The deteriorating COVID situation in Los Angeles, with hospital services being overwhelmed, ICUs having reached capacity, and new guidance from state and local governments have all led us to conclude that postponing our show was the right thing to do. Nothing is more important than the health and safety of those in our music community and the hundreds of people who work tirelessly on producing the show.” 

The announcement was signed by Harvey Mason Jr., Recording Academy chair and interim president and CEO, Jack Sussman, CBS executive vice president of specials, music, live events and alternative programming, and Ben Winston, Grammy Awards executive producer of Fulwell 73 Productions.

“We want to thank all of the talented artists, the staff, our vendors, and especially this year’s nominees for their understanding, patience, and willingness to work with us as we navigate these unprecedented times,” the press statement adds.

Selena, the late “queen of Tejano music,” will be receiving a Lifetime Achievement Award along with other music greats, Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five, Lionel Hampton, Marilyn Horne, and Salt-N-Pepa.

Selena’s 1993 album, Live, won best Mexican-American album at the 36th Annual Grammy Awards, the first time a female Tejano artist won the category. The singer died tragically in 1995 as she was getting ready to crossover into the general mainstream market, which she did with the pop album Dreaming of You released four months after her death.  Don Juan Demarco, the film which marked the singer’s Hollywood acting debut as part of a cast that included Johnny Depp, Marlon Brando, and Faye Dunaway was also released after her death.

The coveted music prize recognizes the best of music every year, with 83 categories being honored this time around. It also includes special awards. Among the artists competing in the Latin music categories this year are: Bad Bunny, Camilo, Kany García, Ricky Martin, Debi Nova, Bajofondo, Cami, Cultura Profética, Fito Paez, Lido Pimienta, Alejandro Fernández, Lupita Infante, Natalia Lafourcade, Mariachi Sol de Mexico de Jose Hernandez, Christian Nodal, José Alberto “El Ruiseñor,” Edwin Bonilla, Jorge Celedon & Sergio Luis, Grupo Niche, and Víctor Manuelle.

— Latin Heat News Service

The post Grammys Postponed Due to COVID first appeared on .

José  Luis Ayala, a member of Los Bravos del Norte, passed away on July 30th, as a result of COVID-19 complications. Considered one of the “best drummers” of the norteña music genre, Ayala had been hospitalized for weeks.

The news of the death of El Güero Ayala was given by Ramón Ayala, who took to Instagram to confirm the death of his beloved brother, who he lovingly called “Güero” which is a term of endearment to refer to a lighter-skinned person. 

“My little brother Güero left us. We ask for your prayers for the comfort of our family! Rest In Peace Little Brother!!!” 

It is not an understatement to say that the norteña music arena is mourning over the Ayala’s passing. “Today we have to say goodbye to a brother of music. Rest In Peace José Luis Ayala, our condolences to family and friends. Thank you for all the music that you have given the world along with Ramón Ayala and Los Bravos Del Norte,” expressed Los Tigres del Norte.

Likewise, another giant in norteña music, Los Tucanes de Tijuana, said, “Our deepest condolences to the entire Ayala family and Los Bravos Del Norte for the sad departure of our dear friend, colleague and the Master of Masters as a drummer, musician, and exceptional performance artist throughout the norteña music industry.”

His son José Luis Jr. had taken to social media on July 19 asking for prayers for his father, who was in intensive care being hospitalized for COVID-19.

The Ayala brothers, from Monterrey, Mexico, always worked together to pursue their musical talents. Before becoming a member of Los Bravos del Norte, José Luis was a member of Los Satelites with his other brother, Fidencio Ayala. Eventually, all three brothers joined together to succeed with Los Bravos de Norte.  Tributes are flooding social media.

José  Luis Ayala, his brother Ramon, also known as “The King of the Accordion,” and Los Bravos del Norte had tremendous success in the 70s when the band reformed with a new lead singer, Eliseo Robles. They had top Billboard records in the United States and Mexico with their hits, “Tragos Amargos,” “Un Rinconcito En El Cielo,” and “Chaparra De Mi Amor.”

According to José JR., his father had been fighting for his health since July and made public through his Instagram post asking for prayers. He continued to keep his followers updated on his father’s health and on his passing.

Los Bravos Del Norte won one major GRAMMY Award win and nine nominations. In addition, they also won two Latin GRAMMY Awards for their albums. Both of the Ayala brothers were renowned Mexican musicians, composers, and songwriters of Norteño music.   

The post José Luis Ayala from Los Bravos del Norte Dies of COVID-19 first appeared on .