Is Harry and Meghan’s ‘favourite chef’ still ‘Team Sussex’? Gaza food aid charity founder José Andrés joins Prince William’s Earthshot Prize

Prince William appears to have poached a charity from Harry and Meghan’s Archewell Foundation for his prestigious environmental awards.

José Andrés, an American restaurateur and celebrated philanthropist, was today announced as the newest member of the Prince of Wales’ Earthshot Prize Council.

He will join the team of leading advisors and influencers who will select the five winners of this year’s prestigious awards, which are designed to scale some of the most innovative solutions to the global environmental crisis.

Interestingly, since 2020, Andrés has also been working with the Duke and Duchess of Sussex through his World Central Kitchen project, which provides food aid in crisis areas around the world. For example, a local emergency aid center was built in India during the Covid crisis.

World Central Kitchen (WCK) previously described its work with its nonprofit foundation Archewell as an “ongoing philanthropic partnership.” Archewell also emphasized their “shared mission to support more compassionate, strong, and healthy communities.”

Andrés has also been working with the Duke and Duchess of Sussex since 2020 through his World Central Kitchen project

Andrés has expressed his support for Prince William’s passion project, which already counts Sir David Attenborough among its supporters

The chef formed such a close bond with the Sussexes that Meghan donated her signature recipe for lemon oil cake to Andrés’ charity cookbook early last year.

In 2021, Meghan also sent a cake made from lemons from the gardens of her Montecito mansion to a WCK project in Chicago.

And in an interview the following year, the chef raved about his “friends,” telling People magazine, “I love them,” adding that he had spent time with the couple personally.

Now, however, he has thrown his weight behind Prince William’s passion project, which already counts Sir David Attenborough among its supporters.

It is unclear whether he is still working with Archewell and WCK has not yet received confirmation on this.

The chef is one of three ‘influential’ environmentalists nominated by the Earthshot Prize Council, which, along with the future king and Sir David, will choose this year’s winners, each receiving £1 million in prize money to expand their work.

In a statement, he said: “I am delighted to join the Earthshot Prize Council and celebrate the changemakers who are pushing the boundaries of innovation and ingenuity around the world.

World Central Kitchen (WCK) previously described its partnership with its nonprofit Archewell as an “ongoing philanthropic collaboration”

The chef formed such a close bond with the Sussexes that Meghan donated her signature recipe for lemon oil cake to Andrés’ charity cookbook early last year (pictured: the chef tasting the cake)

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex attend the ‘Afro Women and Power’ forum in Cali, Colombia, on August 18

Prince William and Prince Harry walk side by side after viewing floral tributes for the late Queen Elizabeth II outside Windsor Castle – the brothers have not spoken in almost two years

‘Through good times and bad, I have seen firsthand the power of food to heal and unite communities. Food is the best way to address some of the planet’s most pressing challenges, and I believe passionately that we must transform our food systems to become more sustainable and equitable.

“There is so much we can do to inspire the world to see food as a powerful tool for creativity and change. Earthshot’s solutions are at the forefront of this movement.”

Earthshot also announced yesterday the appointment of its first global ambassadors: conservationist Robert Irwin, son of the late Steve Irwin, and actress Nomzamo Mbath.

CEO Hannah Jones said Andrés’ dedication and expertise will make the board stronger when it comes to advancing innovative climate solutions.

The chef, who has twice been named one of Time Magazine’s “100 Most Influential People” and has been praised for his humanitarian work since founding WCK in 2010, attended an Earthshot innovation summit for past winners in New York with William last September, providing a taste of what was to come.

The prince will not be attending the same event this year due to other commitments. That’s no bad thing, considering his estranged brother, Prince Harry, will be in town at the same time for a series of high-profile public appearances as part of Climate Week.

He will also host an event for the Diana Award, a charity set up in memory of the princes’ late mother.

William instead wants to focus on the fourth annual Earthshot awards ceremony, which takes place in Cape Town in November.

The brothers have not spoken in almost two years, a rift that has been further exacerbated by Harry’s repeated public attacks on his family, and William in particular.

However, recent reports suggest that the Duke of Sussex is now keen to reconcile with his family.