{{Short description|American chef}} {{Infobox Youtube personality | name = Andre Rush | caption = Rush speaking at the Washington Redskins 58th annual Welcome Home Luncheon in 2019 | alt = | image = Andre Rush 2019 (48647848408) Cropped.jpg | birth_name=Andre Rush | birth_place = Columbus, Mississippi, U.S. | birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1974|9|7}} | death_date = | death_place = | death_cause = | occupation = Celebrity chef, Youtuber | website = {{URL|https://chefrush.com}} | education = Trident University International<br/>Central Texas College |known_for=Chef in the United States Military <br> Member of the United States Culinary Arts Team | youtube_handle = ChefRush | youtube_display_name = Chef Rush | youtube_years_active = | youtube_genre = | youtube_subscribers = 8.91 million<!-- PLEASE DO NOT CHANGE WITHOUT UPDATING stats_update BELOW --> | youtube_views = 4.4 billion<!-- PLEASE DO NOT CHANGE WITHOUT UPDATING stats_update BELOW --> }}
'''Andre Rush''' (born September 7, 1974)<ref>{{Cite web |title=Post from Chef Rush |url=https://www.youtube.com/post/UgkxS8noZj80DkNtVAz19sVPFxEgoEIz0bcV |access-date=2024-10-30 |website=YouTube |language=en}}</ref> is an American celebrity chef and military veteran. He worked in the White House as a Chef for four administrations. Rush, a retired Master Sergeant of the U.S. Army, gained additional attention for his large biceps and muscular physique.<ref>{{cite news|last=Panetta|first=Grace|date=2018-06-07|title=The internet is going nuts over this insanely buff White House chef who could be a bodybuilder|url=https://www.businessinsider.fr/us/twitter-reacts-to-andre-rush-buff-white-house-chef-2018-6|access-date=2020-06-06|website=Business Insider France|language=fr|archive-date=2020-06-06|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200606172020/https://www.businessinsider.fr/us/twitter-reacts-to-andre-rush-buff-white-house-chef-2018-6|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite news|last1=Goncalves|first1=Delia|last2=Hash|first2=James|last3=Sindass|first3=Loriston|last4=Martin Ewing|first4=Samara|date=November 13, 2018|title=This is the Buff White House Chef. He uses cooking to save soldiers' lives|work=WCNC|url=https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/this-is-the-buff-white-house-chef-he-uses-cooking-to-save-soldiers-lives/275-614057434|url-status=live|access-date=April 2, 2021|archive-date=November 18, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181118133521/https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/this-is-the-buff-white-house-chef-he-uses-cooking-to-save-soldiers-lives/275-614057434}}</ref>
== Biography == === Early life and education === thumb|Rush at the 35th U.S. Army Culinary Arts Competition Rush grew up in Columbus, Mississippi.<ref name=":2">{{Cite news|last=Plair|first=Zack|date=November 11, 2018|title=Muscle-bound chef has served 4 presidential administrations|work=Associated Press|url=https://apnews.com/article/55aab620394d42f2aea30cda42d804db|url-status=live|access-date=April 4, 2021|archive-date=April 4, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210404155457/https://apnews.com/article/55aab620394d42f2aea30cda42d804db}}</ref><ref name=":1" /> He played football in the position of running back at Lee High School in Columbus.<ref name=":2" /> He holds a bachelor's degree in Business Management from Trident University International and an associate degree in Hotel Restaurant Management from Central Texas College.<ref name="chefrush">{{cite web|title=About Chef Andre Rush|url=https://chefrush.com/about/|access-date=5 April 2021|website=chefrush.com|archive-date=1 May 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190501183302/https://chefrush.com/about/|url-status=live}}</ref>
=== Culinary career ===
Rush enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1993. He has been deployed overseas several times, and served as a trainer in hand-to-hand combat and food service. In 1997, Rush began to work as a chef at the White House. He has served the presidential administrations of Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, Barack Obama and the first administration of Donald Trump.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Dickerson|first=Karma|date=September 3, 2019|title=Former White House Chef Visits Saint John's in Sacramento|work=Fox 40|url=https://fox40.com/news/former-white-house-chef-visits-saint-johns-in-sacramento/|url-status=live|access-date=April 2, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210402132312/https://fox40.com/news/former-white-house-chef-visits-saint-johns-in-sacramento/|archive-date=April 2, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Minutaglio|first=Rose|date=2018-07-19|title=Meet the Jacked White House Chef With 24-Inch Biceps|url=https://www.menshealth.com/fitness/a22142860/andre-rush-white-house-chef-fitness-routine-interview/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200606172021/https://www.menshealth.com/fitness/a22142860/andre-rush-white-house-chef-fitness-routine-interview/|archive-date=2020-06-06|access-date=2020-06-06|website=Men's Health|language=en-US}}</ref> He worked at the White House part-time while simultaneously working at The Pentagon.<ref>{{cite news|title=Bringing 'guns' to the White House: Muscle-bound Columbus native and chef has served four presidential administrations|url=http://www.cdispatch.com/news/article.asp?aid=69649|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200606172023/https://www.cdispatch.com/news/article.asp?aid=69649|archive-date=2020-06-06|access-date=2020-06-06|website=The Commercial Dispatch}}</ref> He was in the gym of the Pentagon when it was hit during the September 11, 2001 attacks, and chose to volunteer for combat duties afterwards.<ref name=":2" /> Rush was a member of the U.S. Army Culinary Arts Team.<ref name=":0" />
In June 2018, Rush received fame when he was photographed by CNN reporter Kate Bennett and Wall Street Journal reporter Vivian Salama preparing a Ramadan meal for a White House dinner.<ref name=":1" /> The photo of him cooking on the White House lawn during the annual White House Iftar dinner circulated on Twitter, and subsequently went viral.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Feldberg|first1=Sarah|date=June 17, 2019|title=Meet Andre Rush, the White House Chef with the Viral Biceps|language=EN|website=Yahoo News|agency=Food & Wine|url=https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/meet-andre-rush-white-house-152252487.html|url-status=live|access-date=6 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210404155508/https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/meet-andre-rush-white-house-152252487.html|archive-date=4 April 2021}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite news|last=Watkins|first=Billy|date=December 6, 2018|title=This Mississippi-born chef stayed true to himself. Now he cooks for President Trump.|url=https://www.clarionledger.com/story/news/2018/12/06/chef-andre-rush-columbus-ms-native-cooks-trump-white-house/2081699002/|url-status=live|access-date=2020-06-06|website=The Clarion Ledger|language=en|archive-date=2021-04-04|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210404082112/https://www.clarionledger.com/story/news/2018/12/06/chef-andre-rush-columbus-ms-native-cooks-trump-white-house/2081699002/}}</ref> Later that year, he signed a deal to produce a television show entitled ''Chef in the City''.<ref>{{cite news|date=2018-10-02|title=White House Chef and Combat Veteran Andre Rush Has Signed a Deal to Produce 'Chef in the City'|url=https://www.usveteransmagazine.com/2018/10/white-house-chef-veteran-andre-rush-signed-deal-produce-chef-city/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200606173241/https://www.usveteransmagazine.com/2018/10/white-house-chef-veteran-andre-rush-signed-deal-produce-chef-city/|archive-date=2020-06-06|access-date=2020-06-06|website=US Veterans and Military Magazine|language=en-US}}</ref> He has since left his job as a White House chef.<ref name=whtm/>
In 2020, Rush attended the opening of a Salvation Army in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, whereupon they gave him a celebration of service award.<ref name=whtm>{{cite news|date=August 7, 2020|title=Salvation Army of Harrisburg celebrates worship center|language=en-US|website=WHTM-TV|publisher=Nexstar Media Group|url=https://www.abc27.com/community/salvation-army-of-harrisburg-celebrates-worship-center-anniversary/|url-status=live|access-date=2021-04-02|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210227215518/https://www.abc27.com/community/salvation-army-of-harrisburg-celebrates-worship-center-anniversary/|archive-date=2021-02-27}}</ref>
In 2023, Rush starred in ''Kitchen Commando'', a show about helping struggling restaurants in the DMV Area. It was produced by Gordon Ramsay and premiered on Tubi.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Sidman |first1=Jessica |title=Former White House Chef Andre Rush Saves DC Restaurants in Kitchen Commando |url=https://washingtonian.com/2023/02/13/this-ex-white-house-chef-has-the-biggest-biceps-youve-ever-seen-and-a-new-show-saving-dc-restaurants/ |access-date=18 June 2023 |work=Washingtonian |date=13 February 2023}}</ref> In 2024, he was featured in ''Culinary Class Wars'', a South Korean cooking challenge show broadcast by Netflix.<ref>{{Cite web |last=CHOSUNBIZ |date=2025-10-12 |title=Former White House chef Andre Rush adopts Korean name Saetbyeol on Korean variety show |url=https://biz.chosun.com/en/en-entertainment/2025/10/12/NI2RZDKKX5FOZKYOGZ52KYJLGY/ |access-date=2026-03-14 |website=CHOSUNBIZ |language=en}}</ref> In his episode, he participated in a restaurant challenge amongst mukbang YouTubers.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Azeem |first=Mantasha |date=4 October 2024 |title=From Heebab to Andre Rush: Mukbang content creators that appeared as customers on Culinary Class Wars ‘Restaurant Mission’ |url=https://www.sportskeeda.com/us/k-pop/news-from-heebab-andre-rush-mukbang-content-creators-appeared-customers-culinary-class-wars-restaurant-mission |website=Sportskeeda}}</ref> He also appeared on the MBC variety show ''If You Rest Well, That's Good''.<ref>{{Cite web |last=CHOSUNBIZ |date=2025-10-13 |title=White House chef Andre Rush reveals Mississippi recipe Trump loved |url=https://biz.chosun.com/en/en-entertainment/2025/10/13/C3SGOIP565FWTLK6JCUFLCGTEU/ |access-date=2026-03-14 |website=CHOSUNBIZ |language=en}}</ref>
=== Fitness === Rush is known for his physique, in particular the 24-inch arms that earned him fame on social media.<ref name=":0"/> As a high school senior he reportedly could bench press {{convert|350|lb|kg}} while weighing just {{convert|150|lb|kg}}.<ref name=":1"/> In 2010, he was reported to be able to bench press {{convert|605|lb|kg}}.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Wiggins|first=F.M.|date=March 9, 2010|title=This Chef is All meat|work=The Progress-Index|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/77309998/andre-rush-chef-rush/|access-date=April 4, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210508213059/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/77309998/andre-rush-chef-rush/|archive-date=May 8, 2021|url-status=live}}</ref> Rush states he does 2,222 pushups daily as part of the 22 pushup challenge, with the goal to raise awareness for the roughly 22 veterans who die by suicide every day.<ref>{{Cite news|date=November 12, 2018|title=Meet the White House chef who does 2,222 pushups a day|work=WUSA9|url=https://www.wusa9.com/video/entertainment/television/programs/great-day-washington/meet-the-white-house-chef-who-does-2222-pushups-a-day/65-8310701|url-status=live|access-date=April 2, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201121122027/https://www.wusa9.com/video/entertainment/television/programs/great-day-washington/meet-the-white-house-chef-who-does-2222-pushups-a-day/65-8310701|archive-date=November 21, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|date=July 4, 2018|title=White House chef Andre Rush flexes his viral biceps for veterans this Fourth of July|language=en|website=Good Morning America|publisher=ABC News Internet Ventures|url=https://goodmorningamerica.com/food/story/white-house-chef-andre-rush-flexes-viral-biceps-56348545|url-status=live|access-date=2020-06-06|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200606172022/https://www.goodmorningamerica.com/food/story/white-house-chef-andre-rush-flexes-viral-biceps-56348545|archive-date=2020-06-06}}</ref>
In 2021, ''Men's Health'' published an article featuring Rush's daily routine, which included him eating eight meals a day and up to 10,000 calories.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Ocampo|first1=Joshua|date=18 March 2021|title='Jacked Chef' Andre Rush Eats Up to 10,000 Calories a Day|url=https://www.menshealth.com/nutrition/a35864365/andre-rush-diet-exercise-routine/|access-date=29 March 2021|website=Men's Health|archive-date=22 March 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210322071701/https://www.menshealth.com/nutrition/a35864365/andre-rush-diet-exercise-routine/|url-status=live}}</ref> He also claimed to have never consumed anabolic-androgenic steroids.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Diaz |first=Hector |date=2018-06-11 |title=A White House chef has 24-inch arms and can bench 700 pounds |url=https://www.sbnation.com/lookit/2018/6/11/17451698/swole-chef-is-the-hero-the-white-house-needs |access-date=2025-06-11 |website=SBNation.com |language=en |archive-date=2025-06-11 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250611155825/https://www.sbnation.com/lookit/2018/6/11/17451698/swole-chef-is-the-hero-the-white-house-needs |url-status=live }}</ref>
==Personal life== Rush's older brother, Ricky, died of lung cancer in 2016. Rush has been outspoken about the necessity of cancer screening.<ref>{{cite news |title=Iconic Supermodel Veronica Webb and Celebrity Chef Andre Rush Urge Those at Risk to Get Screened for Lung Cancer (Sponsored by Merck) |url=https://www.ebony.com/iconic-supermodel-veronica-webb-and-celebrity-chef-andre-rush-urge-those-at-risk-to-get-screened-for-lung-cancer/ |access-date=18 June 2023 |work=Ebony |date=16 June 2023}}</ref>
In addition to cooking, Rush's other pursuits include ice carving, motivational speaking and life coaching.<ref name=":0" />
== References == {{reflist}}
==External links== *[https://chefrush.com Official Website] *[https://www.wusa9.com/video/entertainment/television/programs/great-day-washington/cooking-with-white-house-chef-andre-rush/65-8310711 Cooking with White House chef Andre Rush] (video) - WUSA9 *[https://www.abc10.com/video/entertainment/television/programs/morning-blend/white-house-chef-andre-rush-talks-taking-care-of-your-mental-physical-health/103-df68ab5c-0703-4dad-b37c-387dd170ad0c White House Chef Andre Rush talks taking care of your mental, physical health] (video) - KXTV
{{DEFAULTSORT:Rush, Andre}} Category:1974 births Category:20th-century African-American people Category:21st-century African-American people Category:American YouTubers Category:Central Texas College alumni Category:Chefs from Mississippi Category:Chefs from Washington, D.C. Category:Living people Category:United States Army non-commissioned officers Category:White House chefs