Chef Marcus Samuelsson's love letter to food and family

'Yes, Chef' by Marcus Samuelsson
Book cover courtesy of publisher

In "Yes, Chef," world-renowned chef Marcus Samuelsson tells the story of growing up as an adopted Ethiopian boy cooking with his Swedish grandmother. His new memoir is "his love letter to food and family in all its manifestations."

Samuelsson joined The Daily Circuit to talk about his book.

From The New York Times review:

Create a More Connected Minnesota

MPR News is your trusted resource for the news you need. With your support, MPR News brings accessible, courageous journalism and authentic conversation to everyone - free of paywalls and barriers. Your gift makes a difference.

"Yes, Chef," which was written with Veronica Chambers, chalks in the details of Mr. Samuelsson's story with modesty and tact. What lifts this book beyond being merely the plainly told story of an interesting life is Mr. Samuelsson's filigreed yet often pointed observations about why so few black chefs have risen to the top of the culinary world.

"A hundred years ago," he says, "black men and women had to fight to get out of the kitchen. These days, we have to fight to get in."

He'll also be signing books and conducting cooking demos at Macy's on Nicollet Mall, The American Swedish Institute and Cooks of Crocus Hill. Full event details available on his website.

Check out this delicious tomato watermelon recipe on The Daily Circuit Blog.

VIDEO: Marcus Samuelsson on Holland America Line's Culinary Council