Marcus Samuelsson
I had seen the photographs of Harlem in its glory days, stylish men in bespoke suits, women so well dressed that they'd put the models in 'Vogue' to shame. I knew that Harlemites loved to dance, to pray, and to eat.
Harlem is not a playground for rich bankers and consultants. It's got students of all colors. It's got old people who keep history and tell tall tales.
My family's journey is something I am very proud of - in front of me, behind me and every part.
I want to make sure the cooking industry becomes more and more diverse.
Getting to a place of comfort can be uncomfortable.
I feel fortunate to be part of the cooking community. We learn from each other.
Every day, whether I am teaching or entertaining - I absolutely love bringing different people and cultures together.
I am many different things, and that is why I am so proud to be American.
I am a chef through and through. Everything I do - whether it is cooking for kids in Harlem or cooking in a fine dining establishment - all my days are consumed by food.
My father was a big influence - it was very important to him that we traveled, and he gave me my strong work ethic.
Sweden was once a very homogenous society, but no more. For decades, people have been coming into Sweden from all over the world, and that's changed the way we cook.
Taking dishes straight off the restaurant's menu and putting them into a cookbook doesn't work, because as a chef you have your own vision of what your food is, but you can't always explain it. Or you can't pick recipes that best illustrate who and where you are and what you're doing. And if the recipes don't work, you don't have a book.
I feel very fortunate that I was raised in a multicultural family, and it came through food.Collection: Multicultural
Hard work IS its own reward. Integrity IS priceless. Art DOES feed the soul.Collection: Art
One of the first things my father taught me was that the library was made for and available to me. It's a place where you not only learn from books but you learn responsibility - how to borrow, take care of, and give back.Collection: Father
You know that old expression "It's not whether you win or lose; it's how you play the game". That line was definitely not coined by a chef. Because for a chef, it's only about whether or not you pull through. If you fail, nobody cares how hard you tried.Collection: Winning
It will always be trendy to do the right thing with food.Collection: Chef
But one of the things I have learned during the time I have spent in the United States is an old African American saying: Each one, teach one. I want to believe that I am here to teach one and, more, that there is one here who is meant to teach me. And if we each one teach one, we will make a difference.Collection: Believe
If you're cooking for someone important - whether it's your boss or a date - never try a new recipe and a new ingredient at the same time.Collection: Boss
In Europe I couldn't be anything but a black cook working for somebody. My inspiration was to own, to be the chef.Collection: Inspiration
While I hold my own views, it's important not to get too wrapped up in individual candidates and personalities, but instead to focus on the real issuesCollection: Real
In Africa, you have no clean water, but you have good food options. In Harlem, everyone can shower and get fresh water, but you often have bad food options.Collection: Water
Larousse Gastronomique has always been the first and last word on classic European techniques and recipes. I love that it has expanded its reach to cover world cuisines and modern culinary innovations, making it more indispensable than ever.Collection: Innovation
Where is the stretch? Where is the perfect fit? Where does it make sense? You have to be a Baryshnikov.Collection: Perfect
America has been very open to immigrants in terms of laws, getting loans - it has been helping immigrants more than it's been helping African Americans in starting a small business. That's key, whether you're starting a restaurant or a laundromat.Collection: Keys
I love Europe, but we are still struggling with that kind of development. First of all, we don't have a smart conversation about the difference between an immigrant and a refugee. A refugee can't go back. An immigrant is someone - I chose to move to America. And I also have the option of saying hey, didn't work out, I can move back. That's a completely different story than someone who is locked in.Collection: Smart
I'm a big believer in the negligee, that nearly invisible screen standing between you and the object of your desire.Collection: Desire
Chocolate is one of the world’s most beloved discoveries, and when we need a quick boost of energy and endorphins, chocolate is the go-to treat.Collection: Discovery
In Ethiopia, where I was born, all the cooks are women. When I grew up in Sweden, my mom and my grandmother did predominantly all the cooking. Then I changed to restaurant kitchens, where all of a sudden there were just more men than women, and I always thought that was weird.Collection: Mom
We can all agree that government cant solve the obesity crisis alone. Its an ongoing issue that will require a collaborative effort across private and public sectors if we want to see some long-term success.Collection: Government