Play Book Tag discussion

When Samuelsson was a toddler, his mother died of TB in Ethiopia leaving him and his sister alone in Addis. A nurse signed them up with a Swedish adoption agency where they were adopted by a Swedish couple longing for a son. His parents sounded fabulous, growing up cooking with his grandmother and fishing with his father and uncle. It was fascinating to learn about childhood and learning in Sweden. Eventually Samuelsson decides on the path of a chef and he worked extremely hard working in various European countries, on a cruise ship sailing around the world and eventually at the famed Swedish restaurant in NYC. Once established and a bit of a celebrity chef, partly due to difficult finance/ partner issues, Samuelsson is led back to his roots and Ethiopia eventually meeting his birth father and half siblings and other family. Restarting with Red Rooster in Harlem, which has a tasty menu, Samuelsson tries to give back to the community, giving chances to those in the neighborhood and trying to share awareness of the tastes from the African continent.

Samuelsson worked hard and especially as one of the few black men in the business. I appreciate that he tries to give opportunities to other non-white or not men in the business. It was quite fascinating learning what it takes to train to be a chef and I definitely want to revisit his restaurant and try out some of his recipes.

Thanks for the review. I always enjoy watching him and have a couple of his cookbooks.

I loved this book! I especially appreciated his honesty about his own failings in personal relationships, and how his parents made him take responsibility financially and stepped up to fill the emtional gaps.

I live quite near The Red Rooster and before pandemic went quite often. He had another Harlem restaurant for a few yrpears a mere 10 blocks from me - Streetbird. More informal, with 80s decor vibe. Alas, after he started the Harlem Food Fest and other projects, he closed Streetbird. But if you ever see his rotisserie chicken on a menu, order it.

His food is so good. His opening The Red Rooster single-handedly turned Harlem into a foodie destination that rocks still and had a huge positive affect on the community. Doesn't hurt that he lives in Harlem.

Sounds interesting!

Now, you got me interested. I enjoy food memoirs. Onto the TBR it goes.

Theresa wrote: "I loved this book! I especially appreciated his honesty about his own failings in personal relationships, and how his parents made him take responsibility financially and stepped up to fill the emt..."

Totally agree, I really struggled with some of his decisions in his personal life but appreciated how he still shared and worked through them.

I lived at Yankee Stadium (2 blocks from metro) and attended Teachers College so I also spent a good amount of time in Harlem and especially meeting my Wash Heights friend for brunch. I'm sorry I missed Streetbird but I hope to make it back soon and try dinner at Red Rooster!

When I religiously watched The Food Network many years ago, he was one of my favorites. Will have to keep this in mind should I need a memoir or "food" book in the future

Jen K wrote: "Theresa wrote: "I loved this book! I especially appreciated his honesty about his own failings in personal relationships, and how his parents made him take responsibility financially and stepped up..."

I lived at 121st and Amsterdam for many years...moved only about 16 years ago. Walked by Teacher's College every day! I attended Barnard in the 70s. The bulk of my years in NYC since 1973 have been living on the edge of Harlem. Until Marcus and The Red Rooster, it felt like every effort to bring some stability and prosperity to Harlem was doomed to fail. There were a couple of food beacons like Melba's, Amy Ruth's, and Sylvia's. In the end, it took just one extraordinary chef committing to a neighborhood and its identity.

I really liked this one, the audio is also read by the author which is a plus.

I'd love to go to one of his restaurants one day!

Theresa wrote: "Jen K wrote: "Theresa wrote: "I loved this book! I especially appreciated his honesty about his own failings in personal relationships, and how his parents made him take responsibility financially ..."

I lived at 130th and Amsterdam my first summer and have definitely been to the other restaurants you mention. All delicious! I'm glad that Harlem is getting some love these days and that Sameulsson made it a priority to share support the community.

Living there in there in the '70's is a whole different experience. Even my place in the Bronx would freak out native New York City folk when I said where I lived but really isn't bad at all these days.

So true. What's also pushed along the improvement in Harlem is Columbia expanding the campus to several blocks West of Broadway and North of 125th Street called Manhattanville Campus.
https://neighbors.columbia.edu/conten....

I went by there the other day for the first time in over a year and it is a real campus although construction still happening. Massive change to the area.

Theresa wrote: "So true. What's also pushed along the improvement in Harlem is Columbia expanding the campus to several blocks West of Broadway and North of 125th Street called Manhattanville Campus.
https://neig..."

I can't imagine! I know there was real fear of Columbia taking over and gentrifying the area. I hope there is space for both.

Jen K wrote: "Theresa wrote: "So true. What's also pushed along the improvement in Harlem is Columbia expanding the campus to several blocks West of Broadway and North of 125th Street called Manhattanville Campu..."

Considering the area was a warren of storage facilities and drug dealers....it is an improvement beyond anything.

Area was almost completely storage facilities and drug dealers. One of the last longterm businesses closed their doors years ago - the premier doll reapir hospital in the country. It was not one of lower income families being replaced.

Same concerns were voiced over FCRC development of area where Barclay Arena stands in Brooklyn, at the Atlantic Yards. Area was such a drug area with the railyards preventing any sustainable stabilizing until someone with vision came along.

Plus to get approval to develop these areas, your plan has to include mixed use and affordable housing and community facilities to a significant %.. Failure to effect the approved plan has severe monetary consequences long term. I worked on the Barclay project, and there were full buyouts or relocations for both businesses and residential. First residential buildings finished were affordable housing, not luxury condos.

Gentrifying still happens, but not always as badly as it did pre-2000.