Celebrity chef José Andrés to offer gift cards for DC-area residents who get vaccine

Celebrity chef José Andrés is offering gift cards to Washington, D.C., residents who get the coronavirus vaccine starting Saturday.

Andrés tweeted that those who get vaccinated on or after May 8 would qualify for a $50 gift card at ThinkFoodGroup restaurants in D.C. The promotion will run until 70 percent of the population is vaccinated.

Ok! We want everyone vaccinated! Starting tomorrow, until we reach 70% of total population anyone that comes with vaccine papers,that proves that has been vaccinated will get $50 gift certificate for any of @thinkfoodgroup restaurants in the @washingtondc area… pic.twitter.com/MuO0spnHzm

— Please wear a mask! Do it for the World please… (@chefjoseandres) May 7, 2021

“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 for ThinkFoodGroup told DCist/WAMU.

The spokeswoman said those fully vaccinated before May 8 are not eligible for the gift card.

The chef and ThinkFoodGroup own several restaurants in D.C, including Jaleo, Oyamel, China Chilcano, Zaytinya and Beefsteak, as well as the two-Michelin-starred Minibar.

Currently, about 36 percent of D.C. residents are partially or fully vaccinated, compared to 46 percent in Virginia. 

Andrés is a well-known humanitarian who has been feeding those struggling to get food in D.C. even before the pandemic began.