“Spirituality plays a role” – Yes, Chef! star José Andrés shares wisdom and mentorship with contestants

Chef José Andrés, the co-host of NBC's competitive cooking series "Yes, Chef!", brings more than just culinary expertise to the show. Known for his humanitarian work with World Central Kitchen, Andrés offers grounded mentorship to the contestants. He said in a behind-the-scenes clip from Yes, Chef!,

“We have the power to feed the many physically with food, but spirituality plays a role,”

Andrés said that this sense of purpose stems from his parents, both of whom were nurses. The series airs Mondays at 10 pm ET and streams the next day on Peacock.

Andrés described the competition as:

“A chance to transform your career and yourselves,”

He emphasized teamwork and self-awareness over ego-driven ambition. His advice to the contestants often goes beyond technique, encouraging them to develop personally and professionally.

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José Andrés brings mentorship and transformation to Yes, Chef! contestants

On Yes, Chef!, José Andrés teams up with Martha Stewart to lead 12 accomplished yet flawed professional chefs through a series of challenges designed to test their culinary skills and interpersonal behavior. Contestants face high-pressure cooking tasks in addition to exercises that force them to confront their personal shortcomings.

Andrés often provides direct guidance that focuses on both kitchen performance and emotional development. In a clip shared by NBC on May 20, he was seen encouraging and giving honest feedback to Emily Brubaker, the executive chef at Omni La Costa Resort and Spa in Carlsbad, California.

Brubaker admitted to struggling with impatience and stubbornness in the kitchen. "I don't see you as a stubborn chef," Andrés told her. When she responded, "I am, but I'm definitely holding that back," he advised,

“Sometimes, this is in our DNA, but that’s why sometimes it’s good to still look at yourself in the mirror.”

The mentorship includes younger chefs such as Peter Richardson, a 23-year-old private chef. During a discussion with Andrés, Richardson became emotional while sharing his frustrations about personal mistakes. Andrés told him:

“Things are not going to go as you plan. You have so much more to learn and to give to yourself and to the world. Learn from it.”

Richardson replied, "I believe in myself," and received a reassuring hug from the chef. Another contestant, Chef Torrece Gregoire, also known as Chef T, acknowledged her challenges with communication and temper management. She told Andrés,

“I am, like, a little overbearing in the kitchen.”

Andrés responded by attributing her behavior to her pursuit of excellence, saying,

“It’s because you’re looking for perfection,”

He reassured her that he sees improvement.

When Chef T replied, "I'm still working on myself," Andrés answered, "We all are, Chef T."

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José Andrés expands his mission beyond the kitchen through global relief work

In addition to Yes, Chef!, José Andrés remains active as the founder of World Central Kitchen, a nonprofit that addresses humanitarian crises through rapid meal distribution. In an April 22, 2025, interview with the Associated Press, Andrés recalled how the initiative began. He mentioned his experience in Haiti after the 2010 earthquake:

“We began cooking in the streets, you know? I’m feeding people after an earthquake so there were no photographers or cameras, it was me with my friends doing it.”

World Central Kitchen has since expanded its operations globally, working in over 40 countries. Andrés emphasized the urgency of funding in the AP interview:

“It’s important for the message that it sends, not only about donating to World Central Kitchen, but the important moment that philanthropy is going to be playing.”

The Yes, Chef! star explained that groups like his are now stepping into roles once managed by the government. In the past, he noted, a USAID rapid response team would have arrived quickly, but that is no longer always the case. As a result, he acknowledged, his organization plays a significant role in the immediate emergency response efforts.

Speaking to AP, Andrés stressed the value of direct action: "I just go and try to do the best I can and donate my time." He also responded to cuts in international aid, stating,

“Money does no good in the bank. I mean it’s earning interest. But I think it’s good when the money is used to invest in the people and when money is an investment in a better tomorrow.”

Andrés' work has earned recognition, including the Presidential Medal of Freedom awarded by former President Joe Biden in January 2025.

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Fans can stream Yes, Chef! on Peacock.