Lin-Manuel Miranda and World Central Kitchen founder José Andrés discuss food insecurity ahead of Hamilton film debut on Disney+
Lin-Manuel Miranda discussed food insecurity with World Central Kitchen founder and chef José Andrés on Thursday ahead of the premiere of the film version of his hit Broadway musical Hamilton on Disney Plus.
The 40-year-old playwright and Andrés, 50, talked about the power of food to bring people together as Coca-Cola kicked off a campaign to help feed minority communities disproportionately impacted by the coronavirus pandemic with a $1 million donation to World Central Kitchen.
Andrés said he’s been trying to help restaurants nationwide hard hit by the coronavirus pandemic, while working to provide the homeless and elderly with meals while also aiming to minimize waste.
Food insecurity: Lin-Manuel Miranda discussed food insecurity with World Central Kitchen Founder and chef José Andrés on Thursday ahead of the premiere of the film version of his hit Broadway musical Hamilton on Disney Plus
‘When we think about food and we think about meals together, it brings back some of our warmest memories,’ said Miranda who has been longtime friends with Andrés after meeting on Twitter.
World Central Kitchen was founded in 2010 by Andrés to provide meals in the wake of natural disasters.
‘Food is so important. We all have a connection. Your family and my family, we enjoy great times together going to the market, cooking, eating. But even in emergencies, the power of a plate of food that connects people with who they are, where they come from, where they belong,’ Andrés said.
The renowned chef also heaped praise on the playwright for his activism.
Hit play: Miranda is shown in a still from the film version of Hamilton that will debut Friday on Disney+
‘The Miranda family, you’ve been a great example to many of us, you’re always committed to help the Latina community, the black community, anybody that can be using a hand. And for that, I don’t like you because you’re a great guy and now I’m proud to call you a friend, I really like you because you’re really committed even when no one is watching,’ said Andrés, who admitted that he had a ‘crush’ on Miranda.
The playwright in a statement urged people to work together to overcome the challenges of food insecurity.
‘Food insecurity, especially among minority communities, continues to rise as Black, Indigenous and People of Color have been disproportionately impacted by the coronavirus pandemic,’ Miranda said. ‘It is essential we work together – as individuals and with committed partners – to end hunger and create meaningful change, which is why I’m proud to support Coca-Cola and its commitment to fighting food insecurity, alongside our partners at World Central Kitchen and Disney+.’
Minority communities: ‘Food insecurity, especially among minority communities, continues to rise as Black, Indigenous and People of Color have been disproportionately impacted by the coronavirus pandemic,’ Miranda said in a statement
High praise: ‘The Miranda family, you’ve been a great example to many of us, you’re always committed to help the Latina community, the black community, anybody that can be using a hand,’ the chef said during their conversation
The $1 million donation to World Central Kitchen from Coca-Cola will serve 100,000 meals in the United States and Mexico and also will help about 150 restaurant hit hardest by COVD-19 with rehiring up to 1,400 employees.
Hamilton will premiere on Friday on Disney+ five years after it debuted in New York City to critical acclaim.
The musical received a record 16 Tony Nominations and won 11 awards, including Best Musical. It also received the 2016 Pulitzer Prize for Drama.
Coming soon: Miranda portrays Alexander Hamilton, left, and Phillipa Soo portrays Eliza Hamilton in a filmed version of the original Broadway production of Hamilton due out Friday