GQ Names José Andrés, James Alefantis Among Most Powerful People in Washington

GQ magazine has released a totally indisputable list of the 50 most powerful people in Washington — "a town where everyone inflates their own importance." Though the list is naturally dominated by political types, it also includes a couple of local food types: chef José Andrés and restaurateur James Alefantis.

Andrés made the cut at #41 because, as GQ charmingly explains, "in a city where ESPN can qualify as ambiance, an Andrés restaurant is a lofty experience." So kind of back-handed? There's no mention of all of the Spanish chef's work fighting hunger with the DC Central Kitchen, his own World Central Kitchen and as a certified culinary ambassador for clean cookstoves. But GQ does tap New York restaurateur Danny Meyer to point out that "you cannot think about Washington-slash-food without the next slash being José Andrés."

Then, coming in at #49, Alefantis makes the list as both a "restaurateur and bon vivant" thanks to the "liberal twentysomethings in khakis" who eat at Comet Ping Pong and the "[m]ore established progressives" who flock to Buck's Fishing & Camping. Also, "If you don't know him, you aren't wearing your scarf right." Well OK then.

· The 50 Most Powerful People in Washington [GQ]
· All Previous José Andrés Coverage [-EDC-]

[Photos: GQ]