Chef José Andrés Tears Off His Chef's Coat And Tells Black-Tie Crowd, ‘I Am An Immigrant’

José Andrés tore off his white chef’s coat on stage to reveal a black T-shirt with the simple words he would go on to stress during a tribute dinner in his honor: “I am an immigrant.”
The 400 or so black-tie guests at the annual South Beach Wine & Food Festival auction dinner to raise money for Florida International’s hospitality school stood and applauded so long Andrés had to pause his speech at the end of a night of luxurious dining.

This was a night when top chefs — Andrew Zimmern, Michael Voltaggio, assistants for Emeril Lagasse — honored one of their own by collaborating to prepare a decadent meal at $500 a ticket at the Loews Miami Beach Hotel, with Emilio and Gloria Estefan in attendance. It was emceed by chef, author and “No Reservations” television host Anthony Bourdain.