Renowned Chef May Depart Palo Alto Due to Gas Ban.

Renowned Chef José Andrés Threatens to Pull Out of Palo Alto Over Natural Gas Ban

A Threatened Lawsuit Over Ban on Natural Gas

A world-famous chef, José Andrés, may not open his new restaurant in Palo Alto due to the city’s ban on natural gas. The owner of the mall where Andrés was set to open his Mediterranean restaurant Zaytinya is threatening to sue the city over the ban, which prevents new buildings from having natural gas connections.

Traditional Cooking Methods at Risk

The restaurant relies on “traditional cooking methods that require gas appliances to achieve its signature, complex flavors,” said Anna Shimko, a lawyer representing the group that owns the Stanford Shopping Center where Andrés leased space for the restaurant. Shimko added that some of the appliances the restaurant staff needs “do not have electrically powered equivalents.”

Compromised Reputation

“Without a gas connection and appliances, Zaytinya would be forced to alter its signature five-star reputation,” Shimko said, adding that if the ban is enforced, “Zaytinya will likely choose not to locate within the city.”

A Loss for Palo Alto

Andrés is a renowned chef who has earned Michelin stars and owns restaurants across the United States. “This would be an unfortunate loss for the residents of Palo Alto, as well as a compensable loss for which SPG would be forced to seek redress,” Shimko said in the letter.

Advocating for Climate Change

Andrés himself advocates for fighting climate change. He created a $1 billion fund to fight climate disasters and teamed up with politicians to create other climate initiatives. “Climate change is real! Food sources will drastically disappear,” Andrés tweeted last year.

Backlash Against Gas Ban

The backlash against Palo Alto’s gas ban comes after the Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals struck down a natural gas ban in Berkeley in April. The court said the ban conflicted with federal law. New York is also preparing to ban gas stoves in most new buildings starting in 2026.

Democratic Attorneys General Urge Regulation of Gas Stoves

Eleven Democratic attorneys general urged the federal government last week to regulate gas stoves. “The emissions from gas stoves pose severe health risks, especially for sensitive groups and underserved communities,” the letter, led by Washington, D.C., attorney general Brian Schwalb, said.