Jose Garces, Iron Chef and James Beard Award winner, has been appointed onto President Biden’s Council on Sports, Fitness, and Nutrition.

The federal advisory committee is committed to promoting healthy, accessible eating and physical activity for all Americans, regardless of background or ability. 

It allows for the continued promotion of the National Youth Sports Strategy and provides for the work of the Council to include a focus on expanding national awareness of the importance of mental health as it pertains to physical fitness.

In 2022, President Biden appointed chef and entrepreneur José Andrés and basketball star Elena Delle Donne to serve as co-chairs of the President’s Council on Sports, Fitness, & Nutrition.

Last week, Biden appointed Garces as one of 27 individuals to serve as members of the Council. 

Throughout his career as a celebrity chef and restaurateur, Chef Garces has established himself as a national authority within the culinary industry. This is only helped by his other titles as a television personality, cookbook author, and entrepreneur. 

From his first restaurant, Amada, to the rotating taste menus at Volvér, Garces has consistently tested the boundaries of culinary excellence. 

Originally from Chicago, Illinois, Garces is the child of Ecuadorian immigrants. 

Growing up, he has had to navigate the dual reality of living and growing up in the United States while not losing sight of his Ecuadorian roots. Eventually, he found his calling as a cook, and later a chef and restauranteur, which aided him in doing just that.

While Garces has maintained his successful career owning and operating full-service restaurants over the past 20-plus years, Garces has also been looking toward the future.

He has put an increased focus on bringing restaurant-quality experiences to the homes and businesses of culinary enthusiasts in new and interesting ways, from enhanced home delivery options and virtual online cooking demos, to live online cooking classes.

Garces is also the co-founder of The Garces Foundation, which provides ongoing and actionable assistance to the immigrant community. It provides services, such as community health days, English language skills classes for the restaurant industry, and the procurement of food supplies to those who are food insecure.

Garces is one of 27 notable experts to be appointed to join the Council on Sports, Fitness, and Nutrition.

Other notable appointed council members include basketball star Stephen Curry, former Philadelphia Phillie Ryan Howard, health equity leader Dr. J. Nadine Gracia, arts activist Kahina Haynes, and Olympic gold medalist Chloe Kim.