José Andrés is an internationally recognized culinary innovator best known for bringing both traditional and avant-garde Spanish fare to America.
 
Often called Spain’s unofficial ambassador to the United States, José is the host of José: Made in Spain, the first major television series on American television to focus on Spain’s wine, food and travel. Drawing on his unrivalled expertise, José takes viewers to every corner of the country highlighting his favorite markets, vineyards, restaurants, artisans and more. The 26-part series is produced by José and Full Plate Media and presented by KQED-TV. José: Made in Spain begins airing on public television stations across the country in February of 2008. A companion book will be published by Clarkson Potter in summer of 2008.
 
José is chef/owner of THINKfoodGROUP, the creative team responsible for some of Washington’s favorite dining concepts: Café Atlantico, Jaleo, Zaytinya, Oyamel and José’s critically acclaimed minibar by josé andrés. His popular Washington, DC restaurant, Jaleo, is one of the first critically and commercially successful tapas restaurants and has set the standard for other Spanish restaurants for 15 years. THINKfoodGROUP oversees all of José’s creative endeavors such as cookbooks, television programming, concept consulting and new restaurant projects.
 
In 2007, José and THINKfoodGROUP partnered with SBE Hotels and designer Phillippe Starck to create SLS, a luxury hotel brand built around the food and beverage concepts. The first SLS hotel will open its doors in Beverly Hills in summer of 2008.
 
Throughout his career, José has drawn the praise of the public, the press and his peers for his vision, imagination and winning restaurant concepts. In 2007, José was inducted into the Who’s Who of Food & Beverage in America, by the James Beard Foundation joining only 191 members for this prestigious recognition. In 2004 alone, Bon Appetit magazine named José Chef of the Year, Food & Wine included José in their 35 under 35 Tastemakers list and Saveur included José on their Saveur 100 list. In 2003, José won the James Beard Foundation’s Best Chef of the Mid-Atlantic Region.
 
For many Americans the exuberant Spaniard is Mr. Spain thanks to frequent spots on NBC’s TODAY Show, his victory on the Food Network’s Iron Chef America and his appearance on CBS’s the Late Show with David Letterman. On PBS, José has been profiled on Chef’s Story, Gourmet’s Diary of a Foodie and Bittman Takes on America’s Chefs. José has also appeared in major national media such as NPR’s All Things Considered, Food Arts, USA Today, FOX News Sunday with Chris Wallace and Gourmet.
 
José lives in Maryland with his wife and three daughters.