Chef José Andrés calls for action following strike that killed aid workers, HDAC announces its 2024 Awards of Excellence honoree, and a technology museum is planned in Xi’an. All that and more in this week’s Five on Friday.
Rule-breaking design icon Gaetano Pesce dies
In 2019, a 26-foot-tall version of Pesce’s Up 5&6 armchair appeared in the Piazza del Duomo in Milan to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the chair’s design; photo courtesy of Adobe Stock
Italian architect and designer Gaetano Pesce, known for creating surreal, boundary-pushing works, died on Wednesday at the age of 84. Born in port city La Spezia, Pesce, whose career spanned six decades, earned an architecture degree from the University of Venice and was part of the Radical Design movement of the late 1960s, according to Hypebeast. “Despite dealing with health-related setbacks, especially in the last year, Gaetano remained positive, playful, and ever-curious,” an Instagram post from Pesce’s studio reads. “He is survived by his children, family, and all who adored him. His uniqueness, creativity, and special message live on through his art.”
José Andrés responds to strikes on World Central Kitchen convoy
Photo courtesy of Adobe Stock
In the wake of the drone strike that killed seven World Central Kitchen (WCK) aid workers in Gaza, José Andrés, renowned chef and the founder of WCK, penned an essay published by The New York Times. The piece is both a tribute to the seven heroic lives lost and a call to action. WCK, he notes, served more than 43 million meals in Gaza via 68 community kitchen prior to halting operations after the attack on Tuesday. (An investigation conducted by Israel “concluded that the strikes were carried out ‘in serious violation’ of military operating procedures, and that senior military officers would be dismissed and reprimanded,” NPR reports.) Andrés writes: “It is not a sign of weakness to feed strangers; it is a sign of strength.”
The 2024 James Beard Award finalists are announced
Fariyal Abdullahi, executive chef at New York restaurant Hav & Mar, is an emerging chef finalist in the 2024 James Beard Awards; photo by Marc Baptiste
The James Beard Foundation has revealed this year’s finalists for its Restaurant and Chef Awards, as well as the honorees of its Leadership Awards, Lifetime Achievement Award, and Humanitarian of the Year Award. The Restaurant and Chef Awards program, established in 1990, spans 22 categories, including emerging chef, best new restaurant, outstanding bakery, and best chef (by region). Nominees include Melba’s (outstanding hospitality); Charlie Mitchell of Clover Hill (best chef, New York State); Mamba Hamissi and Nadia Nijimbere of Baobab Fare (outstanding restaurateur); among others. Winners will announced on June 10th during a ceremony in Chicago.
Stefano Boeri Architetti plans a modern museum based on ancient origins
Rendering courtesy of Stefano Boeri Architetti
The Shanghai office of Milan-based firm Stefano Boeri Architetti has won the competition to design the Culture CBD Modern Technology Experience Center in Xi’an, designboom reports. The project, situated in the Chinese province of Shaanxi, will pull inspiration from the ancient origins of the city and the surrounding natural landscape of rivers and mountains. Bordered by an urban park to the north and a city street to the south, the museum’s north façade will be defined by vertical metal slats, while the southern side will be clad with horizontal slats of high-performance concrete (GRC). A hanging garden and various terraces will be featured on the roof. “The Xi’an museum will be open to everybody, designed to activate a process of urban regeneration in the area and involve a wide audience—from technology enthusiasts to children and students,” says Stefano Boeri.
HDAC names 2024 Awards of Excellence winner
Photo courtesy of Darius Davie
The Hospitality Diversity Action Council (HDAC) has selected Darius Davie, cofounder of men’s wellness brand Groom Guy, as its fourth annual Awards of Excellence recipient. The honor recognizes exemplary work by individuals and companies that are working to advance the hospitality industry through the promotion of diversity, inclusivity, and equity. “Darius’ positive attitude, collaborative spirit, and willingness to go above and beyond expectations makes him truly deserving of this prestigious award,” V Starr CEO Sonya Haffey says. Read the full announcement and check an interview with Davie and Groom Guy director Matthew Sears from HD’s September 2023 issue.
