Giving Back with Andrew Zimmern

Most know Emmy and James Beard award-winning chef Andrew Zimmern for his traveling show, Bizarre Foods with Andrew Zimmern, and his outgoing spirit. However, he has recently gained attention for other reasons—community service. 

Zimmern calls Minneapolis, Minnesota, his home, and due to the current state of affairs, the city has many difficulties. For over a month, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents have maintained a serious presence within the city limits. Even with the announcement to retract 700 of the 3,000 agents, the tension only continues to rise. 

Then, the emotions of citizens only grew when an ICE agent killed Minneapolis resident Renee Nicole Good on January 7. Unfortunately, it did not stop there because on January 24, Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents killed another civilian, Alex Pretti. With the strain now becoming more personal than before, multiple businesses and chains began struggling to operate, including the restaurants. 

However, instead of sitting around, Zimmern decided to give back to his community. Thankfully, various restaurants reached out to Zimmern before ICE entered the city. As someone who has continuously advocated for the unhoused, Zimmern was incredibly willing to help his people. So, two months before January, Zimmern and a group of volunteers set a date to help a local soup kitchen named Soup For You. He began by making his famous “Grandma Zimmern’s Tailgaiting Pot of Love,” and posted it on Instagram for all to see. 

Since then, Zimmern has received numerous calls and texts about restaurants pleading for his help. Sadly, many of these people are desperate and have nowhere else to turn, so Zimmern is trying his best to advocate for everyone. Which means, he began spreading awareness outside of Minnesota, too. He told Today News, “‘If you’re in a city that has ICE, go out to eat, support local restaurants, support agencies that are helping local restaurants,’” and his message is true. Unifying to assist others during unfortunate circumstances is crucial, and it can truly be the difference between staying open and closing forever.

In the end, due to Zimmern’s generosity, restaurants continue to thrive in Minneapolis. By banding together with others, he is showing what true ambition can do. Fighting against those in power is scary, but even doing small things, like volunteering, can make a difference.