Celebrity Chef Marcus Samuelsson Discusses Food, Identity, and Building Bridges

Samuelsson talks about how cuisine can honor African heritage and reshape global perceptions of African and Black cooking.

Published on Feb. 9, 2026

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In an interview with CNN's Larry Madowo, celebrity chef Marcus Samuelsson discussed his new restaurant in Washington, D.C., as well as his projects in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Samuelsson spoke about how food can be used to honor African heritage, build community, and reshape global perceptions of African and Black cooking.

Why it matters

As a prominent chef of African descent, Samuelsson's perspectives on the intersection of food, identity, and cultural representation are valuable insights. His work aims to celebrate African culinary traditions and challenge stereotypes about African and Black cuisine.

The details

Samuelsson, who was born in Ethiopia and raised in Sweden, has opened a new restaurant called Marcus DC in the nation's capital. He also has projects underway in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, where he is working to highlight the country's rich food culture. In the interview, Samuelsson discussed how food can be used as a tool to honor his African heritage and build bridges between different communities.

  • The interview with CNN's Larry Madowo took place on February 9, 2026.

The players

Marcus Samuelsson

A celebrity chef of Ethiopian and Swedish descent who is known for his work celebrating African and Black culinary traditions.

Larry Madowo

A CNN journalist who interviewed Samuelsson about his perspectives on food, identity, and cultural representation.

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What they’re saying

“Food can be used to honor African heritage, build community, and reshape global perceptions of African and Black cooking.”

— Marcus Samuelsson, Celebrity Chef (CNN)

The takeaway

Samuelsson's work highlights the power of food to celebrate cultural identity, challenge stereotypes, and foster connections between diverse communities.