Change the Recipe: Because You Can't Build a Better World Without Breaking Some Eggs

by José Andrés, Richard Wolffe (Narrator)

A unique collection of life lessons from renowned chef and humanitarian José Andrés

José Andrés is a chef, an entrepreneur, an author, a television host, and a tireless humanitarian leader across the globe. A Michelin-starred chef with more than forty restaurants, José is also the founder of World Central Kitchen, a nonprofit dedicated to feeding the hungry in the wake of natural and man-made disasters. His lifetime of experience—from kitchens to conflict zones—has given him a wealth of stories and teachable moments that are funny, touching, and insightful, all animated by the belief that food can bring us closer together and the conviction that each of us can change the world for the better.

Written in José’s unmistakable voice, Change the Recipe is a collection of his most affecting and powerful life hard-won wisdom from a man who has dedicated his life to changing the world through the power of food.

Supplemental enhancement PDF accompanies the audiobook.

Genres: Nonfiction, Memoir, Food, Audiobook, Biography, Essays, Cooking

Audible Audio

Published April 22, 2025

About the author

José Ramón Andrés Puerta, más conocido como José Andrés, es un cocinero español-estadounidense. Desde 2013 tiene también la nacionalidad estadounidense.

Chef/Owner of ThinkFoodGroup, star of the "Made In Spain" television series, and culinary creator and advocate.

Reviews

[Hannah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked the writer. I would love to meet him someday and experience one of his restaurants. What a nice guy. Such a big heart!

Personally, I find Spanish food a bit too rich in oils for me. But yeah, a tapa or two is all I would need to feel happy and full.

There was so much tragedy from Katrina and now the Ukraine and Gaza. There are so many frightening, corrupt, and hateful politicians and governments out there that to read this book was a wonderful light in a dreary world. Rounding up to 4.

[Drea · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well...I just found the graduation gift I'm buying for everyone. This book is so good. Chef Jose Andres is a gift to the world bringing food to the people who need nourishment. World Central Kitchen has traveled to the places where disasters have happened including hurricanes, earthquakes and wars and the author started it all. This book provides a little about his life and then life lessons for everyone. I loved the chapter "Do Good by Doing" and "Your Purpose is Finding your Purpose". This is inspirational and motivating and uplifting. I'm going to buy for everyone - young and old. It's lovely. Thanks to the publisher for the advanced copy. I'll treasure it.

[emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

‘From the first time I drank a pomegranate margarita and a smoky mezcal, and the first time I ate fresh guacamole and tasted an incredible mole sauce, I had to drink, eat, and learn more. I needed to be part of this selfish way of learning. I always say, I don’t open restaurants; I tell stories.’

‘I am a child of an era in Spain that we call “la transición.” In 1975, Francisco Franco died after thirty-five years in power, and the country transitioned from dictatorship to democracy. It took me a long time to understand how much that period shaped me, because I wasn’t even interested in politics when I was so young. Still, it left its mark on me.’

‘For a year and a half, I helped teach families how to maximize whatever they bought in the supermarket. It was very fulfilling to share what I knew while at the same time learning about the spirit of my city—and learning from people I would not normally have met. I was still looking to do more. My partner and friend Rob Wilder was already engaged with another nonprofit, called DC Central Kitchen, where he chaired the board. He made the introduction that would change my life. It was, and still is, a brilliant organization: feeding the homeless almost ten thousand meals a day, while in the process getting people off the streets and training them in culinary skills. They gave second chances to people who were formerly in prison, and they cooked with the surplus food left over from farmers, hotels, and restaurants. So a dollar spent feeding the homeless was also a dollar spent fighting food waste, and was also a dollar spent training someone to get a job in the restaurant sector that was always looking to hire people. The organization took its name from its location: it was in the basement of the main homeless shelter in the city, so it was the “central kitchen.” It was an inspiration to me because they were not just throwing money at a problem; they were investing in the solutions. For me, it was an instant love affair—The challenge is a very powerful one, because money is not the only solution. We waste too much money by not putting it in the service of solving the true problems at both the smallest and the largest scale.’


‘—Egger understood from the beginning that one dollar could be multiplied. He understood that because he was thinking about the liberation of the receiver. He knew deep in his bones that people don’t want our pity; they want our respect. If you pity people, then you just give them money. If you respect them, you invest in them. You solve problems together with them. I see people—good people with good intentions—fall into this trap all the time. There are conferences on hunger and poverty, but not a single person who has lived with either hunger or poverty is invited. If you want to fix people’s lives, you need to hear from them. You need to understand what they’re experiencing because they are smarter than you think. So when I serve people today with my humanitarian work, I think of it as much more than helping. It’s a way for me to learn—You gather information and listen to the voices of the people—their stories and their feelings. You listen—to the people on the receiving end of those policies. Just because you mean well doesn’t mean that you’ll do well. Just because you’re doing good doesn’t mean you’re doing smart good. We need to be better and do better, and that begins with being smart. The only way to do that is to learn, to embrace trial and error, to push the boundaries as we search for solutions—That’s why I created World Central Kitchen, whose name is meant to echo Robert Egger’s creation. That’s why I created the Global Food Institute at George Washington University, to help create longer-term solutions to our broken food systems.’

‘We need to stop the bullshit and be much, much smarter. Because the recipes of the past have not been good enough. New recipes must be written. New ingredients must be brought to the table. New ways of thinking must be embraced. If we don’t dramatically change what we do, and how we do it, we’re wasting our time. Poverty and hunger will worsen in a world where the climate is in crisis. We need to learn from the great successes and the great mistakes of the past so we can advocate and implement bigger, smarter change in our world. It’s up to us to change the recipe.’

‘That’s part of why I don’t read résumés. We grow quickly in emergencies and we have to make quick decisions about the people we trust to look after those in need. I don’t want to know who people are or what they did. I only want to know what I see them doing. Because for me, that’s the most powerful thing. You don’t overvalue people, and you don’t undervalue people. You just take them at face value with what they are doing on the ground at the moment. This works very well for me personally, but I know it’s not conventional—That’s why I don’t like to ask people, What did you do in your previous life? I only want to see what they are doing now. Do they care? Do they help an elderly woman walk across the street? Do they carry a box to give to the people? Those are maybe small details, but those to me are the gestures that tell me that person is the right person for the moment. Responding to disasters is intense and builds deep bonds and friendships. They bring out the best in us at the worst of times. It takes special people to do this work, and I find that they are almost soulmates—I pushed hard to create branding for World Central Kitchen. Not because of appearances but because of something much more profound that I learned from sports. I love football. I know the meaning of going to a game where everybody is wearing the same shirt and celebrating a victory and the entire stadium is going nuts. Why? Because your team won a championship. We may be doing very different things, but we can get that same feeling in a disaster—that we all belong to the same team. Of course, our objective is far more than scoring a goal. Our objective is to feed people. Imagine how much more powerful being part of a team becomes when we share that sense of mission.’

‘Cooking makes us human. It’s what separates us from every other animal on the planet. We are the only species to cook our food. There’s good reason to think that cooking helped our brains to grow, to develop sophisticated language, and to build community. If you can’t cook, you waste a lot of energy chewing and digesting. So it should be no surprise that cooking and eating together restores us and our sense of community. Especially in the worst situations—Hot meals are magical. In a disaster or war, they feed your stomach and your soul. Cooking food transforms the ingredients and the way we feel when we eat them. A hot meal tells you that somebody cares.’

The most precious thing you own is time. Time for thinking. Time for doing nothing. Time to find out who you are. Time to enjoy a new flavor. Time to go to a new restaurant. Time to watch the sunset. It’s the biggest luxury of all, to enjoy the moment, to be aware of the things you have around you. It takes a lifetime to become who you are, and it takes another lifetime to understand the people around you. That’s why I feel that one of the best gifts you have when you are younger is time itself—At any age, time is the most precious ingredient you can find. So use it wisely and use it freely.’

‘I collect old cookbooks. A lot of old cookbooks. So many that we don’t have enough space for them at home or at work. So many that my wife wonders what I do with all those old books. Here’s what I do: I go through them, and smell them, and try to understand why the authors wrote what they did back in the 1700s or the 1800s. What were people really like in those times? What did they eat and why?’

[Sheryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have to admit that José Andrés is one of my favorite people on the planet, so I went into this with a bit of a bias.
This book is part memoir, part inspirational self-help motivational speaker type stuff. The memoir part was absolutely fascinating---learning about his early life and how he came to cooking, and his path through various apprenticeships, military service, and finally opening his own restaurants. The chapters about his work with DC Central Kitchen and creating World Central Kitchen, and then, of course, his experiences in disasters and war zones and dealing with governments and politicians are inspiring and frustrating and enlightening. i finished it this morning after reading that WCK has had to cease operation in Gaza because of the blockade keeping food and supplies out of the territory, and my heart breaks for him.
The "life lessons" motivational speaker type stuff is geared toward a younger audience than myself (it pains me to realize that I am actually a couple years older than José!) but it's all sound and practical advice and made me smile. I definitely recommend listening to the audiobook read by the author to get the full effect.
A great read for anyone interested in cooking, humanitarian work, and creative problem solving.

[B]

Dnf at 30%. I feel super bad dnfing this because I’m really curious to hear more about Andrés’ story and how he came to start World Central Kitchen. But the formatting of this book just didn’t capture my attention. I think it would have served much better as a memoir instead of an advice book because I also found that the advice given was relatively basic. It wasn’t anything new just put through his own story which is why I would’ve much preferred just listening to his story instead.

[Makayla · Rating 3 out of 5]

Part memoir, part self help book I will say at least it was mostly interesting. Chef José's career reflects a different time that's practically completely out of reach now. Most chefs today could never work for free as many times as he did to gain connections and experience. But it was an interesting look into a different time when that was doable, even if it was hard.

I did really enjoy learning about the foundations and building of World Central Kitchen. The scale of what they've achieved around the world is remarkable. And the insight into the risks they took to make it happen were fascinating.

That all said, there's a level of never-ending positivity that borders on toxic thinking throughout the book. While much of it seems to be at the core of who José is as a person, it got a bit grating. Yes, everyone can do something. Helping is a core thing I wish more humans believed in. But to quote one of my favorite disability advocates, "you can't smile your way into a ramp."

[Scott Helms · Rating 5 out of 5]

This tiny book is unquestionably a call to action wrapped in memoir and philanthropy through the tools of food (preparation and distribution to those who are hungry in war zones and natural disasters).

Andrés is a modern-day hero. He is humble, practical, yet ambitious to the cause. It all resonates in this book.

Without spoiling, I’ll say that my favorite chapter (among a book of WONDERFUL chapters) was titled “Liberation, Not Redemption.” It’s towards the middle of the book, and it discusses the economy of feeding people, the good people / good intentions matrix, and the notion that it is important to be a life long learner.

The most poignant part of this already poignant book was the appendix; it is the transcript of Andérs’ eulogy for the fallen members of World Central Kitchen in a tragic war zone accident in Gaza in April of 2024. I am not sure why I did this, but I pulled up the YouTube video of this eulogy and watched and read at the same time. Having done so, my heart was broken, but my soul was warmed, and I am personally inspired to be more engaged.

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

*I received this book from a Goodreads giveaway*

This marvelous little volume is part memoir, part philosophy, and part life coach. The author writes about his life growing up in Spain, joining the navy, becoming a world renowned chef, and establishing the World Central Kitchen, each chapter ending with some wisdom of a life lived.

Jose Andres explains how he came to his humanitarian work and the encouragement he received along the way, and in turn encourages the reader to make their own difference in the world by starting in their own town, community, neighborhood, home, or wherever they can.

I am inspired both to cook and to change the world. A million stars awarded.

[Niki · Rating 2 out of 5]

I am hesitant to assign this book a rating. I do not want my two star rating to be assumed for the nature of the work that Jose Andres does. He is an inspirational leader in humanitarian efforts - combining empathy with intelligent service to feed the most people in the face of disaster and war. His work with World Central Kitchen is to be commended. If I were rating his work alone - 5 stars. But in this space, I assume I am to rate books and this book was forgettable, although the author's heart and work is not. Much of the advice offered, particularly in the first half of the book, seemed oversimplified and trite. The format felt contrived in order to pass along life advice. I think a more effective approach would have been devoting the entire book to exploring more deeply the conception, development and philosophies behind his volunteer work interspersed with personal stories and memories. This, however, is worth a read if simply to learn about the essential and life-changing efforts of Andres.

[kat · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've been a regular at Jaleo for over 25(!) years so it was probably predetermined that I was going to like this little gem of a book. Every vignette was like a personal pep talk from Jose, which I desperately need now more than ever.

[Jaclyn Gruenbaum · Rating 2 out of 5]

I love José Andrés’ work and find him to be a hugely inspiring person, but this book didn’t do it for me. It was super surface-level and kind of generic. Luckily it was short and easy to get through otherwise I probably would’ve put it down.

[Colleen Young · Rating 5 out of 5]

Favorite book of the year??? This was everything I wanted it to be and more. I feel empowered and motivated to make a difference, and I enjoyed Chef’s stories and metaphors. 10/10

Favorite quotes:
“We will never change the world without taking some risks and accepting some imperfections.”
“The wrong decisions are the ones you never made. So whatever decision you make, go with it. You will always have time to correct yourself, because if you’re on the move, you will have other opportunities.”

[Andrea Frazee · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 audiobook

[Galileosong · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my goodness, José Andres! What a beautiful human being! This book is best enjoyed as an audiobook, read by the author himself. I enjoyed hearing about his experiences, which were described so beautifully. His joy and appreciation for food, places, and people really come through and he is inspirational and encouraging. We need so many more people in the world like him. Brace yourself, because the very end of this audiobook will have you weeping, but even then, you'll be struck by the beauty of his words and his spirit.

[Amanda Redd · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have an extreme amount of admiration for Jose Andres and have followed his life and contributions for years. I loved the stories of his childhood and the details and thoughts on how he made it into the culinary scene. However, half way through the book - it became very hard to finish. Too many basic words of advice, scattered thoughts, and random chapters that lacked order. Several chapters would end abruptly or begin in a way I wasn’t sure why or what direction it was going. I wish he would’ve carried more narratives of his experiences with World Central Kitchen and what he’s witnessed along the way, and his interactions with people he’s worked with and fed. It became quite political - and while his mission does involve politics - it felt a bit forced in some spots where I just wanted to read about food and service. Like others have said - I wish this would’ve been more of a memoir because he’s amazing. Its yellow cover is darling and still worth the quick read.

[Lily · Rating 2 out of 5]

DNF @ 37%

By all accounts, Jose Andres is a lovely and fascinating person, who's doing a lot of good in the world. Unfortunately, the writing of this book proved shallow and name-droppy, giving me no reason to keep reading.

[Heather Paladine · Rating 4 out of 5]

A short book, full of anecdotes to illustrate the points he wants to make. Some of them seemed trite at first, but overall I appreciated the way they illustrated his life. I especially liked the more recent stories about the development of World Central Kitchen. The author narrates the audiobook.

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Made me feel a little less lost in life

[Megan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love the World Central Kitchen. Really enjoyed hearing his thoughts about serving others by honoring and utilizing the knowledge of local people.

[Sue · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Jose...and his words of wisdom in this little book are worth savoring!

[Jess · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really appreciated this memoir - it was short, punchy, and idealistic and had a life lesson for each chapter. Honestly, it was a breath of fresh air to hear from someone with so much hope but is still pragmatic about how to deal with big problems.

Overall, I’d give it a 3.5, though I feel like my rating really just reflects my personal preference on memoirs. I personally prefer reflective and introspective memoirs like “Stay True”, “When Breath Becomes Air”, and “Go Ahead in the Rain”, and this memoir wasn’t that at all. Nor should it have been. I really like José Andrés and I thought the memoir was great for what it was. Would def encourage folks to read it if they feel like shit because everything in the world feels so heavy

[Almira · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you are a fan of Jose's charitable organization you should probably read this.
Very small, physically, book that packs a powerful punch.

Jose begins with how his family's love of food was drew him to who he became, and how he was able to work with some of the world's top chefs, which further developed his love of not just food, but the preparation as well.

I was taken by his speech given to honor those members of his team who were killed in Gaza by an Israeli airstrike - he quotes Elie Wiesel "the opposite of love is not hate, its indifference. The opposite of faith is not heresy, it is indifference. And the opposite of life is not death, its indifference."
Each day we must strive to rid ourselves of indifference.

[Haley Strong · Rating 3 out of 5]

Chef and humanitarian, José Andrés has made a name for himself on a global scale. From a small town north of Barcelona, to New York City and Washington D.C., he travels the world to learn about food and people. His journey in food inspired him to help communities facing disasters. This memoir is a collection of stories and life lessons he’s learned along the way.

This is a rare case where I actually wanted this book to be longer. I felt like a lot of the chapters just skimmed the surface, and I would have loved a more in depth introspective on some of them. Overall, it was a quick read that can be done in an evening, and it was a beautiful book about food and the world.

[Teri Reck · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely amazing book by the man behind World Central Kitchen, Chef Jose Andres. Many autobiographical bits about his life and influences which led him to form this hugely successful organization--they are often on the scene and ready to cook before govts. are out of the starting blocks! Why can't someone like this man be running the world???

A great back and a fast read as it is too interesting to put down. I read the whole thing in one sitting.

Read it and live it. AND support World Central Kitchen!

[Alex Weller · Rating 2 out of 5]

It’s obvious that the impact of the work José Andrés is immense. This rating has nothing to do with his work feeding hungry people in the world-that is incredibly admirable and important. The book felt floaty and cliche-much of the advice felt out of touch with reality or unrelatable. I wish he had included more about the people that helped him get to where he’s at-the chapter about finding your village was literally 1 page. I raise my glass to the work he is doing in the world, and maybe not so much to this format of story telling.

[Andrea · Rating 5 out of 5]

José Andrés is one of my favorite humans. This book reminded me of how important it is to show up for those and be present WITH them and not FOR them. He writes with such grace but pointed words. I particularly enjoyed the beginning of this book where he showed how his parents shaped his relationship with serving meals and how he thinks about food.
I listened to it on audio and it's a quick listen. You can hear the emotion in his voice. 5⭐️ all day.

[Lori Pulichino · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jose Andres has made his own inspiring journey into a “how to…” book including how to find your mission, follow your passion, learn more, keep moving, build tables, and help others help themselves. I love his stories and some of the recipes woven throughout this book.

I recommend this book to anyone that is starting out or re-thinking their journey. His message is hopeful, Instructive and inspirational. Easy to read, a good graduation gift.

[Ankita · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have admired the work of José Andrés and World Central Kitchen for a long time. It was a joy to read these anecdotes from his life that inspired him to lead a life driven by empathy and conviction to change the world through the power of food. I know I will be revisiting some of the passages in this book when I need them most.

[Christopher Gould · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jose Andres is a bit of a hero to me, having lived for so long in Washington DC. I remember when he first opened Jaleo and his other ventures, and I really admire the creativity with which World Central Kitchen has accomplished its mission. This book is pretty basic reading but centers around broad ideals and lessons in life that are worth savoring.

[Jessie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful book about a human being who took his skills as a chef to help feed communities in crisis. The audiobook is excellent because you hear the passion behind his words. However, I’ve also requested this book from my library because it includes a section of his recipes.