Chef Jose Andres Named One Of ‘TIME’ Magazine’s 100 Most Influential For 2012!

NORTHWEST -- With two restaurant openings (the launch of his ‘Pepe’ food truck and the refresh of the original Jaleo location) already under his belt for 2012, Chef Jose Andres certainly wasn’t lacking for recent accolades.

Yet, TIME magazine perhaps delivered the award-winning chef-turned-global restaurateur his biggest plaudit to date this morning, when it named him to its 2012 list of the 100 most influential people in the world.

The TIME 100 issue hits newsstands tomorrow, on April 19th, and also features such cultural icons as NBA point guard Jeremy Lin, TV personality Stephen Colbert, and even President Barack Obama.

Now in its ninth year of publication, TIME’s list is designed to recognize activism, innovation and achievement rather than outright power.

“[It’s] not a list of the most powerful people in the world, it’s not a list of the smartest people in the world, it’s a list of the most influential people in the world,” said TIME Managing Editor Richard Stengel.

“They’re scientists, they’re thinkers, they’re philosophers, they’re leaders, they’re icons, they’re artists, they’re visionaries. People who are using their ideas, their visions, their actions to transform the world and have an effect on a multitude of people.”

Congratulations to Chef Andres! A transformative man about Washington to be sure.