(NewsNation) — Restauranter and humanitarian José Andrés is stepping down as the chief executive of José Andrés Group (JAG), which oversees about 40 restaurants in the U.S. and internationally.
The change reflects the group’s “domestic and international expansion,” according to a news release. Andrés will stay on as the company’s founder and executive chairman, while Sam Bakhshandehpour assumes the role of global chief executive officer.
“Sam understands the power of restaurants to transport us, for food to be the language of connection, and how we can be a part of communities in a meaningful way, all over the world,” Andrés said in a statement.
The announcement comes as the firm RockCreek has stepped up its investment into JAG, which is leaning on EagleBank to lead its debt refinancing, according to a news release.
JAG launched more than 30 years ago, introducing Americans to the Spanish art of sharing small plates.
The D.C.-based chef’s relief fund World Central Kitchen (WCK) provides meals during natural disasters, beginning in the aftermath of the 2010 earthquake in Haiti.
Andrés operates a two-Michelin star restaurant, and last year, Democrats nominated him and WCK for the Nobel Peace Prize.
Israeli airstrikes killed seven WCK aid workers earlier this year.