Reston native honored by county for international humanitarian work

RestonNow.com February 9, 2023 at 11:46am

Reston native Nate Mook was honored by the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Tuesday (Feb. 7) for his humanitarian work around the globe.

A Restonian who attended South Lakes High School, Mook served as the former CEO for the World Central Kitchen, a nonprofit organization founded by chef and philanthropist Jose Andres that serves chef-prepared meals to communities hit by natural disasters and other crises.

He is also a filmmaker behind movies like “Baltimore Rising,” which followed the aftermath of Freddie Gray’s death in Baltimore police custody in 2015. He has made documentaries around the world, including in Somalia, Panama and Iraq, according to Hunter Mill District Supervisor Walter Alcorn.

At the meeting, Mook said his roots in Reston helped define his work.

“It truly is an honor to be here today, not only because I grew up in Reston and Fairfax County, but because as Supervisor Alcorn mentioned, it really shaped who I am today. This is a community where service to others, I think, is a central, core value,” Mook said.

It was an absolute honor to recognize ⁦Reston native and ⁦@southlakeshs⁩ grad ⁦@natemook⁩ at ⁦today’s ⁩ Board meeting. His humanitarian efforts as CEO for ⁦@WCKitchen⁩, work in Ukraine & globally are inspiring! #HunterMill pic.twitter.com/cuxxU93A2a

— Supervisor Walter Alcorn (@WalterAlcornFFX) February 7, 2023

Chairman Jeff McKay lauded Mook for his work.

“We’re so proud of you and inspired by you, and certainly wish you continued success. The need is out there, but knowing there are people like you in this world, I think we can all rest a little bit easier,” McKay said.

Mook joined World Central Kitchen in 2017 to lead food relief efforts in Puerto Rico after Hurricane Maria. He became CEO the next year and has since traveled worldwide, including several months in Ukraine. Under his leadership, the nonprofit organization has served more than 60 million meals.

He is the son of historian Sarah Larson, who founded Reston Museum.