What I Learned Working with World Central Kitchen

What I Learned Working with Chef José Andrés and World Central Kitchen

By Daniel Shemtob

In the world of food, we talk a lot about feeding people—crafting the perfect bite, the balance of flavors, the experience of a meal. But working with Chef José Andrés and World Central Kitchen (WCK) during the Los Angeles fire response was a humbling reminder of what feeding people truly means. It's about resilience. It's about community. And, when disaster strikes, it's about showing up—with food, with heart, and with an unstoppable urgency to nourish those in need.

The Call to Action

When the wildfires tore through LA, displacing thousands and leaving communities in crisis, WCK mobilized instantly. I had followed their work for years, watching in awe as Chef Andrés and his team landed on the frontlines of disasters across the world—from Puerto Rico to Ukraine, from Haiti to Maui. But witnessing their impact firsthand in my own backyard was something else entirely.

No red tape, no hesitation—just immediate action. Their mission is simple: when people are hungry, you feed them. That's it.

So when the opportunity came to work alongside WCK during the LA fires, The Lime Truck jumped in without question. Because if there's one thing I know, it's that food is a powerful force for good—and when you bring people together around a meal, you create something bigger than just nourishment. You create hope.

The Lessons I'll Never Forget

1. Scale Fast, Solve Problems Faster

In a disaster zone, there is no time for overthinking. You need to be agile, adaptable, and ready to shift gears at a moment's notice. WCK doesn't just drop off food—they build full-scale relief kitchens on the fly, organize supply chains in chaos, and rally chefs, food trucks, and volunteers into an efficient, unstoppable force.

That kind of rapid-response thinking stayed with me. It reinforced everything I've always believed about the food industry: the best operators aren't just chefs or restaurateurs—they're problem-solvers.

2. Food Is More Than Sustenance—It's Dignity

It's easy to focus on feeding as a numbers game: meals served, pounds of food distributed. But Chef Andrés and WCK approach it differently. They don't just feed people—they nourish them with care.

That means hot, fresh meals made with real ingredients, served with warmth and respect. Because when someone has lost everything—whether to fire, flood, or war—a thoughtfully prepared meal can be the first step toward restoring their dignity.

3. You're Never Too Small to Make an Impact

WCK has served hundreds of millions of meals worldwide, but they don't do it alone. They bring people in—small businesses, local chefs, food trucks, restaurant owners—to be part of the solution.

When The Lime Truck joined the effort, we weren't just another food truck. We were part of a bigger movement, proving that even a single truck, a small team, or a local business can make a massive difference when they show up for their community.

Why This Work Matters More Than Ever

Natural disasters aren't slowing down. Climate change is fueling stronger storms, bigger fires, and greater food insecurity. But if there's one thing WCK has shown me, it's that we don't have to wait for governments or institutions to act. We, as chefs, food truck operators, and restaurateurs, have the power to step up and serve—to meet people where they are, with whatever we have, and turn food into a lifeline.

Chef Andrés and his team set the gold standard for what it means to use food as a force for good. And after working alongside them, I know this for sure: we all have a role to play.

At The Lime Truck, we're committed to doing more—not just in times of crisis, but in our everyday work, in how we source, how we serve, and how we show up for our community. Because feeding people isn't just about the food.

It's about the impact. And that's a lesson I'll carry with me forever.

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To support World Central Kitchen's mission, visit wck.org and get involved. Every meal served makes a difference.