New film with chef José Andrés brings back memories for Wilmington chefs

Ray Worrell ate Clark bars for three days during Hurricane Florence. When he was able to use a friend’s microwave, he can still remember now how delicious and satisfying that meal was 

“It was just so good, having that warm bowl of rice,” he said. 

Worrell, owner of the local Slice of Life pizzerias, was reminded of that feeling when he was watching "We Feed People," a new National Geographic documentary about renowned chef José Andrés and his World Central Kitchen relief organization.

For 12 years, Andres has fed people in a number of areas around the world affected by disasters both natural and manmade. But he doesn't simply offer granola or candy bars. Instead, Andres wants to feed people something comforting and made with care. 

Many local people have experienced this firsthand. The documentary opens in Wilmington in 2018, when Hurricane Florence brought widespread rain and flooding. Andres and his team set up at Diamond Catering Services near New Hanover County’s government center. 

Christi Ferretti, owner of Pine Valley Market, worked with the effort then. 

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“He would come through the kitchen like any executive chef, checking on things and asking questions,” she said, stressing that he had high standards for the food. 

“But he was rarely there. He wanted to be out with people, feeding them.” 

Ferretti said that many locals have a closer connection, and greater understanding, of World Central Kitchen’s mission since then. The release of the film, which is directed by Oscar winner Ron Howard, on Disney Plus is merely putting it out there to a larger audience.

She said she knows of a few volunteers who worked with him in Wilmington who have gone on to assist the group with other disaster relief efforts, from those displaced by fires in California to furloughed government workers in Washington D.C. during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

In February, Andrés went to the Ukrainian border following the invasion of Russian forces. (In fact, the World Central Kitchens have been bombed while working there.) It was this most recent effort that inspired Worrell to create Pizza with a Purpose.

While he usually prefers to work with local non-profits like NourishNC, he decided to donate $5 for every large pizza sold in May to the World Central Kitchen. The sale of more than 4,550 pizzas resulted in a donation of $20,750 to organization.

Watching the documentary brought back more memories and reinforced how much the group provides to those who are struggling. 

“To me, one of the most impactful was in Bahamas,” Worrell said. “Where there was essentially nothing left," he said. 

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That was during Hurricane Dorian. Ferretti remembers when Wilmington was still potentially in its path, and receiving a message from Andrés and WCK to be on standby, in case they were needed here.

She believes "We Feed People" can help continue to spread the word on the work the group does.

"Locals know," she said. "But I think everyone should watch it because I think there are a lot of people who have no idea."

Allison Ballard is the food and dining reporter at the StarNews. You can reach her at aballard@gannett.com.