Marcus Samuelsson

Celebrity Chef, Restaurateur and Television Personality, Red Rooster Harlem

About This Expert

Chef Marcus Samuelsson, an Ethiopian-born Swedish-American chef, restaurateur, and television personality, is internationally acclaimed for his unique culinary blend of cultural and artistic excellence. Born in Ethiopia, Samuelsson was adopted by a Swedish couple and raised in Gothenburg, Sweden. Influenced by his grandmother, he developed a passion for cooking early on, leading him to the Culinary Institute in Gothenburg and apprenticeships in Switzerland and Austria.

In 1994, Samuelsson moved to the United States, joining New York’s Aquavit restaurant. At 24, he became Aquavit’s executive chef, earning three stars from The New York Times, making him the youngest chef to receive such an accolade. This achievement catapulted him into culinary stardom.

Samuelsson opened Red Rooster Harlem in 2010, celebrating American comfort food with a multicultural flair. The restaurant quickly became a cultural and culinary hub, earning numerous accolades, including the James Beard Foundation Award for Best Chef: New York City in 2003. Red Rooster’s success led to the opening of Ginny’s Supper Club, a downstairs venue.

Samuelsson has authored several cookbooks, including the James Beard Award-winning “The Soul of a New Cuisine” and the memoir “Yes, Chef,” which details his journey from Ethiopia to international fame. He has also been a prominent television personality, appearing on shows such as “Top Chef Masters,” which he won in 2010, and serving as a judge on “Chopped” and “The Taste.”

In 2009, Samuelsson was honored as a guest chef at the White House under the Obama administration, planning and executing the first state dinner. He has been a UNICEF ambassador since 2000, focusing on water and sanitation issues through the Tap Project. In 2012, he joined the US State Department’s American Chef Corps, promoting diplomacy through food.

Samuelsson’s other ventures include Norda Grill in Sweden, American Table, and the Kitchen and Table concept. He is also a co-founder of FoodRepublic.com, a site for men interested in quality food and lifestyle.

Marcus Samuelsson’s career bridges cultures through food, bringing diverse flavors and stories to the global stage, significantly impacting the culinary world.