Celebrity chef Marcus Samuelsson has built an impressive career under high-pressure conditions. By the age of 24, the Ethiopian-born and Swedish-raised chef became the executive chef at New York City’s Aquavit and soon made history as the youngest to earn a three-star review from the New York Times.
Samuelsson has since established himself as a leading restaurateur, with ventures such as Red Rooster, which opened in 2010, Hav & Mar in 2022, and Metropolis in 2023. He is also an accomplished author of cookbooks and memoirs and has been a familiar face on the Food Network for many years.
Now, Samuelsson is venturing into a new field by collaborating with West Elm to launch a 32-piece home goods collection. The collection draws inspiration from his Scandinavian and Ethiopian heritage, as well as his experiences living in New York City.
In a recent interview, Samuelsson discussed how the COVID-19 pandemic has transformed diners’ relationships with eating out. He noted that the quality of food available for home cooking has improved, leading many to seek a higher standard when dining out, particularly in terms of service and atmosphere. Diners are looking for experiences that make them feel connected and part of a larger community.
Samuelsson emphasized the importance of ambiance in his own restaurants, particularly at Red Rooster in Harlem, where live music enhances the dining experience. He takes pride in supporting local musicians and believes that a restaurant should reflect the community it serves. At Hav & Mar, located in Chelsea, he integrates the neighborhood’s artistic vibe through collaborations with local artists.
When asked about the inspiration behind his home goods collection with West Elm, Samuelsson highlighted his lifelong creative pursuits beyond cooking, including painting and writing. He enjoys collaborating with established partners like West Elm while still being able to infuse his own ideas into the design process.
The collection showcases elements inspired by Samuelsson’s father’s fishing village in Sweden, combined with prints from Africa, resulting in a cohesive and diverse offering.
Despite his many creative endeavors, Samuelsson revealed that cooking remains his ultimate passion. He enjoys various aspects of preparing food, from shopping at markets to sharing meals with his family, feeling most confident and skilled in the kitchen.