Rob Wilder

Rob Wilder, along with chef José Andrés, is the Co-Founder of ThinkFoodGroup (TFG), the innovative management company that has grown over 27 years into a global leader in food and hospitality. TFG is responsible for more than 30 restaurants in DC, New York, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Miami, Chicago, Orlando, and The Bahamas. Rob was twice named Restaurateur of the Year by the Restaurant Association of Metropolitan Washington, and, with Andrés, received the Richard Melman Award for Innovation by Restaurant Hospitality. Rob also co-founded World Central Kitchen with José in 2010 after deciding together that no existing Food NGO was solving problems as they would as Chef and Entrepreneur.

In 2015 Rob also founded FoodTech Angels to fund and support innovative early-stage companies that leverage technology to change the world of food. Rob has also been an advisor and mentor to several early-stage tech and food companies at Halcyon Incubator, TechStars, FTW Ventures & Yale Entrepreneurial Institute.

An honors graduate of Yale University, Rob began his career in the restaurant industry more than 35 years ago when he co-founded Amy’s Ice Creams in Austin, Texas, and then the Austin Grills in Washington. In 1993, he hired a young José Andrés to helm his new Spanish restaurant, Jaleo, which began the 27-year collaboration which is now ThinkFoodGroup.

Rob is a member of YPO/WPO and has served as Chapter Chair of the US Capital Chapter. He serves as Trustee & Finance Chair at Shakespeare Theater Company and Director of the Duane Wilder Foundation.