ElectricBoogaloo October 14, 2015 Share October 14, 2015 (edited) Acclaimed chef Marcus Samuelsson (Red Rooster, Aquavit) and his wife Maya take Bourdain on a personal tour of their native country to experience this nation beyond the headlines, first in Addis Adaba where they sample injera bread and beyaynetu platters, followed by drinking Turbo and eating Tibs with local skateboarding pioneers, listening to the traditional music of Azmari singers and legendary Ethiopian-jazz musician, Mahmoud Ahmed, a sampling Ethiopian coffee and a village feast with Maya’s family in the Gurage region. Edited October 18, 2015 by ElectricBoogaloo 1 Link to comment
Julia October 14, 2015 Share October 14, 2015 Acclaimed chef Marcus Samuelsson (Red Rooster, Aquavit) and his wife Maya aka arguably the most beautiful couple in or near food (outside of possibly Cat Cora and her wife) 6 Link to comment
Snarklepuss October 28, 2015 Share October 28, 2015 Julia, I thought the same thing. But I thought there would be more comments on this episode as I thought it was excellent and very interesting about Marcus' background. He's always been one of my favorites and I've eaten at Red Rooster, his Harlem restaurant. I was always curious about his roots myself. I was also thinking that he's kind of a guy without a home given how he was born in Ethiopia, raised in Sweden and now an American to boot. I loved it when he said he now considers Harlem his home. I can see why, I love Harlem and go way back with the place myself. Tony's hitting it out of the park this season in pretty much every episode. 3 Link to comment
NowVoyager October 29, 2015 Share October 29, 2015 Marcus was so emotional this episode. I was quite moved by his story; I knew about his upbringing, but I had no idea he still struggles with the notion of "home." It's a feeling I personally relate to. His wife is an exquisite beauty! The eyes! The cheekbones! She also has a quiet strength about her & I think a special understanding of her husband. They are a modern Ethiopian couple---taking Maya to the all-male bar, sending the girls to the city for school before the boys, Marcus in the kitchen with the women instead of outside burning meat with the men. It was fascinating learning about the country & the food through their eyes. Of course, this episode was primarily about Marcus' journey. The scene where he held hands with his father as the elderly man was tottering along...that was an image I won't soon forget. 1 Link to comment
Julia November 1, 2015 Share November 1, 2015 So, wow. And on top of everything else, it turns out Maya Samuelsson has just as dramatic a life as her husband's. 1 Link to comment
NewDigs November 3, 2015 Share November 3, 2015 I could not believe it when I flipped to this show the other night! Big fan of Bourdain and love Marcus Samuelsson. I'm about 3/4 through MS's (audio)book Yes Chef. And he reads it! What a story. His is an incredibly moving journey. I've misted up more than once, not always a good thing whilst driving, and have been so impressed and amazed with his drive and accomplishments. And gorgeous couple! Hope they get together by the end of the book. I missed some of her backstory. Then to see his pure joy and elation in Ethiopa made me grin like a lunatic. I need to see it again. AND I need to eat at RR next time I visit my sister. Or, really splurge, at Aquavit. 2 Link to comment
SpringTulips November 4, 2015 Share November 4, 2015 I really enjoyed his episode. There is so much to experience with Marcus and Maya. I loved seeing their subtle overturning of tradition...Maya having drinks with the guys and Marcus in the kitchen with the women. 1 Link to comment
ElectricBoogaloo November 4, 2015 Author Share November 4, 2015 Poor Marcus - he was trying to give his sisters the best opportunity possible by having them continue beyond a second grade education and his dad was against it. I'm glad he didn't let his dad guilt trip him out of sending his sisters to school though. If they want to go back home and take care of the house, then at least it will be their choice (and they will be able to read and do math). If they had listened to his dad and left school after second grade, they would have no other options but to stay at home, take care of the house, and get married. And now his sister is almost done with college! Did he say she was getting her master's degree? I am so glad he provided her with the choice to continue her education. 4 Link to comment
Julia November 4, 2015 Share November 4, 2015 I could not believe it when I flipped to this show the other night! Big fan of Bourdain and love Marcus Samuelsson. I'm about 3/4 through MS's (audio)book Yes Chef. And he reads it! What a story. His is an incredibly moving journey. I've misted up more than once, not always a good thing whilst driving, and have been so impressed and amazed with his drive and accomplishments. And gorgeous couple! Hope they get together by the end of the book. I missed some of her backstory. Then to see his pure joy and elation in Ethiopa made me grin like a lunatic. I need to see it again. AND I need to eat at RR next time I visit my sister. Or, really splurge, at Aquavit. I have that audiobook too. I'm saving it for a car ride when I can concentrate (I usually listen at work). Poor Marcus - he was trying to give his sisters the best opportunity possible by having them continue beyond a second grade education and his dad was against it. I'm glad he didn't let his dad guilt trip him out of sending his sisters to school though. If they want to go back home and take care of the house, then at least it will be their choice (and they will be able to read and do math). If they had listened to his dad and left school after second grade, they would have no other options but to stay at home, take care of the house, and get married. And now his sister is almost done with college! Did he say she was getting her master's degree? I am so glad he provided her with the choice to continue her education. Um, yeah. With all due respect to his father, if the women in his household only got the care he gave them, Marcus and his sister would be dead. 1 Link to comment
NewDigs November 8, 2015 Share November 8, 2015 Bolding mine I have that audiobook too. I'm saving it for a car ride when I can concentrate (I usually listen at work). Um, yeah. With all due respect to his father, if the women in his household only got the care he gave them, Marcus and his sister would be dead. Just finished it and you are in for such a treat! What a remarkable person. And a really good guy. If you're a crier have tissues ready. He has had some very moving experiences that he quite openly shares. Now I want to see this again. And Top Chef Masters. 1 Link to comment
Julia November 8, 2015 Share November 8, 2015 I can't offer you anything equally valuable in return, except a suggestion to check you tube for incredibly young (OK, thirty-year-old) Marcus making wondrously strange food on the legendary trainwreck Iron Chef USA with William Shatner (sadly, it seems to have aged out of Hulu). 1 Link to comment
NewDigs November 8, 2015 Share November 8, 2015 Ooh! Marcus and Shatner? Iron Chef? I'd say that's at least an even trade. Thanks! Link to comment
NowVoyager November 13, 2015 Share November 13, 2015 Bolding mine Just finished it and you are in for such a treat! What a remarkable person. And a really good guy. If you're a crier have tissues ready. He has had some very moving experiences that he quite openly shares. Now I want to see this again. And Top Chef Masters. Thanks to you, NewDigs & Julia I went to a bookstore today & bought "Yes, Chef." I was aware of the book before, but you guys really piqued my interest. I'm looking forward to reading it---biographies are my favorites! Thanks for the inspiration....I've been culturally lacking lately...this was just what I needed! Link to comment
RedHawk November 30, 2015 Share November 30, 2015 Yes, thanks for the recommendation! My mom loves audiobooks and biographies so I got it for her for Christmas. Link to comment
Julia November 30, 2015 Share November 30, 2015 Totally OT, if you liked that book/audiobook, or food books in general, try Gabrielle Hamilton's Blood, Bones & Butter. 1 Link to comment
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