Yes, Chef (43 page)

The real work of writing this book began when my friend Veronica Chambers agreed to help me tell my story. I first fell in love with her writing years ago, when I read her award-winning memoir,
Mama’s Girl
. We have a lot in common, including the fact that we both have fractured and found families, and are both new Americans with a passion for black culture and Harlem history and good food. Now we also share the journey of making this book. It was my deep friendship with Veronica, as well as her incredible gift for storytelling, that helped me revisit and return to people and places and feelings that were sometimes difficult, and sometimes painful, to remember. Over and over again, Veronica made me realize that writing a memoir with omissions devalues my life experiences. It was necessary to explore everything. This is my story, but the fine touch on the words is all hers.

I have so much more to be thankful for, especially:

My two mothers, Ahnu, who sacrificed, and Anne Marie, who always supported my food journeys.

My father, Lennart, who made me the man that I am.

My wife, Maya: Thank you for listening and being there and making this journey loving, whole, and beautiful.

My Ethiopian family: Father, Ashou, Tiggi, Salam, Danny, Zebeney.
Mulugete worko. Ayailou
.

For Helga J. and Edwin J., who fed me a steady diet of love, tradition, and roast chicken.

For the leading ladies of my life: Anna, Vanessa, and Linda.

To RC and Andrew Chapman for believing in me and in Harlem. I love the guidance and support.

I want to thank my Rooster team:

Eden Fesehaye is as gracious as she is capable. Thank you, Eden—you are the glue and the glow.

Tracey, you are a fighter and I believe in you.

I could not do what I do without Erica, Nils, and Mike. Thank you to Andrea Bergquist: Your culinary gifts made this journey all the more delicious. To Jeremie and Akashia, the entire Rooster squad. Harlem is in the house!

My literary team:

Kim Witherspoon, I couldn’t ask for a better champion for my books. Thank you for your vision and guidance.

Susan Kamil, this book is all about home. Thank you for making such a wonderful home for my life story. Andy Ward pushed me (and pushed me) and went over every page with the kind of attention and care that is rare in editors these days. Kaela Myers on his team provided invaluable, 24/7 support—thank you.

There’s more:

Food Republic, we are on our way.

Thank you, Philip, Sarah, and Lucinda.

I am the product of all the cooks I learned and worked with.

Gburg—yes, we did.

To the good people of Harlem: Thanks for the love and support. The Renaissance is not complete; we’ve still got more to do.

I tip my hat to the Aquavit cooks 1995 to 2009. You know who you are.

Jimmy Lappalainen & Norda in the house.

My friends never “yes, chef” me and I love them for that: Mes, Mats, Teddy, Jonas, Andrew, Sven, William, Brian, and the Blatte Crew.

Big blessings and big thanks for those who paved the way:

Maya Angelou. Harry Belafonte. Leah Chase. David Dinkins. I am because you all walked before.

Thelma Golden is both my dear friend and a never-ending source of passion, creativity, and intelligence. You are the architect of the new Harlem Renaissance and I’m so glad to be uptown with you.

And, finally, my deepest appreciation to Michelle and Barack Obama. Thanks for the inspiration, and the opportunity to serve.

—Marcus Samuelsson, December 2011

A James Beard Award–winning chef and the author of several cookbooks, Marcus Samuelsson is the owner and executive chef at Red Rooster Harlem in New York City. In 1995, he became the youngest chef ever to receive a three-star rating from
The New York Times
for his work at Aquavit. In 2003, the James Beard Foundation named him Best Chef: New York City. In 2009, he was chosen to be a guest chef at the White House under the Obama administration, where he planned and executed the administration’s first state dinner for the first family, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh of India, and four hundred guests. He was also the winner of Bravo’s
Top Chef Masters
in 2010.

Marcus currently lives in Harlem with his wife, Maya. For more information, visit his website at
MarcusSamuelsson.com
.