Environment
Climate change at center of new tree plan in Brunswick, Ga.November 17, 2025
By David Pendered
Nov. 24 – Georgia Tech’s annual Prize for Social Courage reminds of goodness in the world. This year’s recipient continues the tradition.
Spanish-born José Andrés is a trailblazing chef honored in recognition of his “extraordinary contributions and his dedication to providing meals to people enduring unthinkable hardships,” according to a Nov. 17 statement from Tech.
Previous recipients include 2025 Nobel Peace Prize winner María Corina Machado, John Lewis and Andrew Young, and Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter.
Andrés established World Central Kitchen in 2010 to help Haitians following the life-changing 2010 earthquake. The organization never stopped, going on to provide meals around the world following natural disasters, amid man-made crises and in humanitarian emergencies, according to its website, which explains WKC’s mission in a few words:
“World Central Kitchen started with a simple idea at home with my wife Patricia: when people are hungry, send in cooks. Not tomorrow, today.” And,
“Not only is a thoughtful, freshly prepared meal one less thing someone has to worry about in the wake of a disaster, it is a reminder that you are not alone, someone is thinking about you, and someone cares. Food has the power to be the nourishment and hope we need to pick ourselves back up in the darkest times.”
Georgia Tech president Ángel Cabrera, himself a Spanish native, said Andrés’ “leadership journey inspires all of us to try to make a difference in the world through whatever we know best.”
Cabrera continued, “He built a successful restaurant business and became one of the most renowned chefs of our time — yet, he also found the courage, time, and resources to create an organization that provides freshly cooked meals to victims of war and natural disaster.
“José and his team at World Central Kitchen regularly risk their lives to help restore human dignity and rebuild community amid gunfire and rubble. Georgia Tech is proud to present this award to a man whose moral compass never wavered and who epitomizes the spirit of the Ivan Allen Jr. Prize for Social Courage.”
Tech established the award in 2010 to honor the legacy of former Atlanta Mayor Ivan Allen, Jr. who served during the Civil Rights era. The award carries a monetary stipend of $100,000 through a grant from the Wilbur and Hilda Glenn Foundation. An event on campus is set for March 16, 2026.
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