Chef Marcus Samuelsson Dishes On Food Festivals And Family Travel

08.05.2024 - 14:03 / forbes.com / Marcus Samuelsson

To some, Atlanta is the urban music center of the world. To others, it’s the Hollywood of the South. To chef Marcus Samuelsson, the Dixie metropolis is a vibrant culinary hotbed that was missing his personal stamp.

“I think it’s important to respect each city,” says Samuelsson, who opened Atlanta’s Marcus Bar & Grille, in March 2023. “Otherwise, don’t mess with it. Atlanta has its own cuisine, its own history. It’s the biggest city [in the South] and such a connecting city, particularly for people of color in terms of the incredible universities and all it does in terms of culture.”

The Ethiopia-born, Sweden-bred talent now has successful restaurants all over the globe, stretching from Harlem to Eastern Africa. “When we decide to go somewhere, my ‘why’ is very different than other people’s ‘why,’” Samuelsson says. “But I know, as a person of color again, that I have a responsibility, and I take that with me.”

The best-selling author, TV personality and James Beard-winning toque is taking his love of cooking to Upstate New York’s Catskill Cuisine from May 10 to 12. There, he’ll be paired alongside longtime friend and chef Scott Conant for a memorable multi-course experience. In the following chat, Samuelsson tells us about their bond, the common thread between his eateries and the vital role music plays in it all.

Where in the world are you?

New York.

How’s New York treating you today?

Always good, man. In New York, you gotta go get it. Gotta make your own shot.

I was on your Instagram recently and saw you and the family were on the water near a beach. Where were you?

A couple of days ago, we were in Sag Harbor [on Long Island]. But two weeks ago, we were on a cruise. I was cooking on a cruise, so I took the whole family to the Caribbean.

Did you have a good time when you weren’t working?

That’s one of the fun things with the kids. They come with me to so many of these events. My son has been to so many different countries, and he always makes some type of memory, food-wise or experience-wise. I think his favorite [destination] is the Bahamas. We go down there or Jamaica a lot. I would say those two.

How are you doing with the whole “work hard, play hard” balancing act?

I love working. I really enjoy the craftsmanship, dealing with my team, the creative challenges and the financial challenges. I like the challenges, what it means to be in business and the opportunities. It’s literally what we make out of it. Let’s go at it. I enjoy that process. But the minute I’m on my way home, it has to go away. With a two-year-old and seven-year-old, it gives you no option. You got to be all in there. But that’s fun, too. [My son] Zion likes swimming and biking and I got to keep up with him on that. And