"Yes Chef", Marcus Samuelsson

Marcus Samuelsson, out and about in Harlem, New York.


Marcus Samuelsson is a well-regarded name within the culinary world for a variety
of reasons. When you get a chance to read the Ethiopian-born, Swedish-raised chef’s
memoir, Yes Chef, the one reason that stands out most of all is, passion. There’s an
undercurrent of passion throughout the book as Samuelsson details his life story. It
is an engrossing read, one that gives you just enough of Samuelsson’s emotions and
honesty without it being too melodramatic. You get a very sober appreciation for the
life of a chef, especially one of color here. Of course, ‘Yes, Chef’ has had its criticisms,
just as Samuelsson has had and still has to a degree. The first bit of buzz it received
was due to the passage about his phone conversation with Gordon Ramsay, famous
stateside for his brash behavior and ‘Hell’s Kitchen’. One thing is certain, reading ‘Yes,
Chef’ will appeal to you much like being able to recreate your favorite recipe, step by
step, page by page.