Marcus Samuelsson

Chef and Owner, Red Rooster Harlem

About This Expert

Chef Marcus Samuelsson is an internationally acclaimed chef who has thrilled the food scene with a blend of culture and artistic excellence. Marcus caught the attention of the culinary world at Aquavit. During his tenure as executive chef, he received an impressive three-star rating from the New York Times, the youngest
person ever to receive such an accolade.

In addition to being a successful cookbook author, Marcus released his New York Times Bestseller and James Beard-wining memoir Yes, Chef in 2012 to rave reviews. He has been featured on a number of media platforms including Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, the Martha Stewart Show, Today Show, Regis and Kelly, and Charlie Rose. He was the winner on Bravo’s Top Chef Masters Season Two as well as the second season of Chopped All-Stars. Marcus also serves as a recurring judge for Chopped, one of Food Network’s highest-rated series with a following of over 20 million viewers a month, and is a judge on the second season of ABC’s The Taste, guiding a team of new culinary talent through a series of challenges.

In 2009, Marcus was honored as a guest chef at the White House under the ObamaAdministration, where he planned and executed the administration’s first state dinnerfor the first family, Prime Minister Singh of India and 400 of their guests. He has been a UNICEF ambassador since 2000, focusing his advocacy onwater and sanitation issues, specifically the Tap Project. Marcus also had the honor of speaking at the 2011 Annual Meeting of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland and TEDxHarlem in 2012. In the fall of 2012, Marcus was also named to the US State Department’s The American Chef Corps, a group of chefs committed to Secretary State Hillary Rodham Clinton’s message of “smart power” diplomacy, which embraces the use of a full range of diplomatic tools, by utilizing food, hospitality and the dining experience as ways to enhance how formal diplomacy is conducted, cultivating cultural understanding and strengthening bilateral relationships through the shared experience of food.

His iconic Red Rooster Harlem celebrates the roots of American cuisine in one of New York City’s liveliest and culturally rich neighborhoods. It has earned two-stars from the New York Times and countless accolades for its food, style and connection to the community. Named the Best Neighborhood Joint by Time Out New

York, Red Rooster continues to amaze Harlem with the opening of its downstairs supper club Ginny’s. Marcus is also the chef behind Norda Grill in Gothenburg Sweden, American Table and the Kitchen and Table concept; all partnered with Clarion Hotels.

Marcus is also a co-founder of FoodRepublic.com – a website for men who want to eat and drink well, and to live smart.