JBF Award Winner Marcus Samuelsson, Red Rooster Harlem, NYC
What’s your favorite movie, and why?
I like the movie Casino because the acting is so great and all the characters are fantastic. A Thin Red Line is also a favorite. The cinematography is so beautiful.
Describe the last great meal you ate.
I took my wife for her first meal at Nobu recently. Nobu was there and he cooked lunch for us. It was special to be able to share it with her, and the food was incredible, as always. The flavors are spot-on every time.
What’s the dish you’re most proud of?
I am most proud of my grandmother’s meatballs, a dish that I serve at Red Rooster. Her cooking is the reason why I do this.
What’s your favorite movie snack?
Either plain salted peanuts or there’s also a mix of Ethiopian peanuts and barley that is especially satisfying.
What’s your earliest food memory?
My first memory of food is eating herring and mackerel in Sweden, where I grew up.
What movie are you ashamed to admit you love?
The Last Dragon.
What’s the best advice you’ve ever received?
I got a lot of good advice from the chef I worked for in Switzerland. The best two things he ever told me: don’t show up on time, show up early, and stay passionate with food.
