Celebrity chef and humanitarian José Andrés has a long history of feeding people in need in the Washington region and around the globe.

Beth J. Harpaz / AP Photo

Local celebrity chef and humanitarian José Andrés is getting into the vaccine rewards game, and he’s offering more than a free donut or a free beer.

On Friday, Andrés tweeted that he would give $50 gift cards to his D.C.-area ThinkFoodGroup restaurants to anyone who shows proof of vaccination, starting Saturday. The giveaway will run “until we reach 70% of total population” vaccinated he said.

“We want everyone vaccinated!” Andrés tweeted.

That 70% goal is a ways off. In D.C., about 36% of residents are partially or fully vaccinated. That figure is 46% in Virginia and close to 50% in Maryland.

Andrés’ offer is only valid for people who get vaccinated starting tomorrow — so if you’ve had your vaccination card riding around in your wallet for a while, you’re not eligible, according to a spokeswoman for ThinkFoodGroup.

“Show your fully vaccinated card at Jaleo DC, Jaleo Crystal City, Oyamel, Zaytinya, or China Chilcano and receive a $50 card for future use within the next 30 days, food only. Can only redeem once,” the spokeswoman told DCist/WAMU in an email.

ThinkFoodGroup and Andrés have a significant presence in the D.C. region, including the two-Michelin-starred restaurant minibar, small plates favorites Jaleo, Oyamel, China Chilcano, and Zaytinya, and fast-casual vegetable-forward chain Beefsteak.

Twitter exploded with enthusiasm at the news.

Even a Virginia Department of Transportation account got in on the action, suggesting that vaccinated people could be given the option to donate their $50 to World Central Kitchen, the food and disaster assistance nonprofit also run by Andrés.

Andrés is a prolific humanitarian as well as a prolific restauranteur. Across the country and the world, the chef and his World Central Kitchen nonprofit have swung into action to help feed people in the wake of disasters like massive explosions in Beirut or hurricanes in Puerto Rico. The D.C. region has been a prime beneficiary of Andrés’ drive to feed people in need, and that hasn’t changed during the pandemic. Andrés used his restaurants as community kitchens at the outset of the pandemic, and in November he fed locals as they stood in line to vote in the presidential election.

Filed Under: Chef Jose Andres, coronavirus pandemic, coronavirus vaccine, COVID-19 vaccine, ThinkFoodGroup,