Food & Drink: Award-Winning Chef and Restaurateur Marcus Samuelsson

Marcus Samuelsson [Ethiopia]

[Image credits: abcnews.com recipes: salad and dessert]

Ethiopian born, Swedish raised and now living in Harlem, top chef Marcus Samuelsson certainly has a lot of influences to bring to his culinary creations and has been praised for introducing innovative interpretations to classic Swedish dishes and quality of flavours and textures his food possesses. Adopted by a Swedish couple at the age of three Marcus grew up in Sweden and learnt his love of cookery there, training to be a chef before moving to France and then America where his career has flourished.

Crowned Top Chef Master on Season Two of the Bravo TV series seen in the US in 2010 Marcus’s winning formula was returning to his roots and creating modern Ethiopian dishes blended with tastes from his Swedish background. But long before this latest achievement Marcus Samuelsson is an award-winning chef and a restaurateur, in addition to author and food activist. In the midst of all this Samuelsson began his journey back to Ethiopia to reconnect with family and the culinary heritage that influences his cooking today. Have a look at his book ‘The Soul of a New Cuisine’, ideal for those looking for an introduction to African fusion cooking as he explores and takes inspiration from various regions throughout the continent.

The soul of a new cuisine Marcus Samuelssoncookbook

[Image source: marcussamuelsson]

…and of course in the tradition of celebrity chefs, Samuelsson has also released a range of cookware, in partnership with Regal Ware, to help you try out those recipes for yourself!