By David Landes | TheLocal
Ethiopian-born Swedish chef Marcus Samuelsson, founder of New York’s acclaimed Aquavit restaurant, is among those being tipped as possible candidates to prepare meals for Barack Obama at the White House.
In an interview with the AP news agency, Tim Ryan, who heads the Culinary Institute of America, named the Ethiopian-born Swede as one high-profile chef the incoming president may consider to cook for certain state dinners.
“Chefs are great performers. So to take a page from [former President John F.] Kennedy’s playbook and recognize the artistic performances of the culinary greats, each state dinner could be organized by different high-profile chefs,” Ryan told AP.
He added that including Samuelsson in the line-up of top chefs called in to prepare meals for special occasions would allow president-elect Obama to “capture some of the star power but in a practical and realistic way”.
Samuelsson, who was raised in Gothenburg, traveled to New York in 1991, and within a few years had risen to be Aquavit’s executive chef at the age of 24.
While confirming he was aware of the speculation about a job at the White House, Samuelsson through a spokesperson declined to comment further on the matter to the Metro newspaper.
Other names circulating as possible White House chef candidates include Art Smith, Oprah Winfrey’s personal chef and Rick Bayless, whose Topolobampo restaurant in Chicago is one of Obama’s favourites.
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FORUM | 19 Comments
This is just the begining. I have a dream, one day there will be a person (he/she) with an Ethiopian blood will be the President of USA. all we have to do keep on working harder. Good Luck to you chef Marcus Samuelsson.
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January 10th, 2009 at 9:05 PM
Fact check. Your title is misleading; he is not an ethiopian. He was born in ethiopia but he is a swedish.
Seyoum
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January 11th, 2009 at 12:24 AM
Mr. Seyoum, chef Marcus talks about his Ethiopian background in his book, on Martha Steward show, and when he appeared on Oprah. Sorry that irritates you.
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January 11th, 2009 at 2:11 AM
Seyoum, I was born in Ethiopia, but I am a US citizen…does that mean I m not an Ethiopian? I think you’re slitting hair. Because he took a Swedish citizenship doesn’t mean he is not Ethiopian.
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January 11th, 2009 at 3:19 AM
Seyoum you are confused. Is this hair splitting?
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January 11th, 2009 at 6:58 AM
Dera Mr Seyoum, what that make a difference aba? We all are a dual citizenship holders in the diaspora. All it counts is his root. You don’t have to check his nationality just look at his face.
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January 11th, 2009 at 7:34 AM
shaft99 says: “….. I have a dream, one day there will be a person (he/she) with an Ethiopian blood ….”
Haha …beka yane alemin gezanew linil newa!…beka yane visam ayashan…kurbetachinin tekililen …wede Amaerica tirig new “…
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January 11th, 2009 at 11:17 PM
Seyoum’s claim is not hair splitting, but fact that you all have failed to accept and live with it. Nationality is one. If not mistaken, both the US and Ethiopian constitutions do not permit dual nationality. You have to learn to say “I am an American!”. It is the beginning of all the dreams! If you still say “I am Ethiopian” and tell to your children “you are Ethiopian too”, how could they dream to be a statesman in their country of birth, USA!!! Should the next Obama be born from white American woman/man? Please wake up you retarded diaspora! and give a way for the your generation who wants to be American and lead the country to integration, social justice, equality, and freedom to all!
God bless America!
Kewle
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January 12th, 2009 at 9:41 AM
Oh shut your ignorant a@# up Anonymous.
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January 12th, 2009 at 11:12 AM
This article is pointless. The chef was chosen last week. They are keeping the current chef from the previous administration. Why did you print this?????
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January 12th, 2009 at 12:55 PM
Well dang it, I am American ever since the arrival of the hateful and divisive regime of dirty woyanes and Meles took over. My switch was final when regular people became prostitutes of this regime coz they are stupid and willing as long as you pay them, like Meles has, to blindly support anyone. I’d rather be a part of this county(U.S.A) than ethiopia and its usual and stupid leaders.
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January 12th, 2009 at 1:10 PM
I gather that his is of Ethiopian descent (certainly has the phenotype and hue), but is a Swedish national. He could be of Swedish parentage. Maybe one of his parents is an Ethiopian descended Sweden.
He’s nice looking, that’s for sure. I was in DC recently and there are a lot of Ethiopian-Americans there.
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January 12th, 2009 at 3:41 PM
dont forget to serve injera b wot when I visit!
good luck bro
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January 12th, 2009 at 5:59 PM
He did not “take” a swedish passport, he was adopted to sweden as a small child so he was raised in Sweden by Swedish parents.
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January 12th, 2009 at 9:12 PM
Seyuom;
Perhaps, you do not have the heritage to make a proud person and greatful to your ancestors for the history, and great traditions they passed on to you. Ethiopians have that rare feelings in their bones and blood and it is hard to feel it when you never had it. May be you go to the library and read real well about being some one by origin and nationality and acquiring a citizenship of another nation. It is a blessing to be Ethiopian by origin or nationality and an American by naturalization or citizenship.
I will be disappointed if you are an Ethiopian.
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January 13th, 2009 at 3:37 AM
I have dream that one day…..then what? A peson ofn Ethiopian origin will be the President of USA.that could be possible when the Ethiopians assimilate themselves with the rest of Americans. Crying day in and day out about Ethiopia may not be the correct way to proper assimilation.Oh may be an Ethiopian descendent will be American’s president right after the son of a cuban desident son or daughter steps down.wish you all the best
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January 13th, 2009 at 3:41 AM
Old news. The current White House Chef, Christeta Comerford, will stay on with the Obama Administration as the White House Executive Chef.
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January 13th, 2009 at 6:51 AM
@Teri… I am glad someone paid attention to the article being baseless. Everyone else turned this into a debate on nationalism..
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January 13th, 2009 at 10:48 AM
Dear Marcus. I admire you! i have a dream to be chef too, and I KNOW
will make it! it’s nice see ETHIOPIA MAN to see who made it to the
top! if u n’t hiding where you come from what is their problem!
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April 19th, 2011 at 12:25 PM