Chef Marcus Samuelsson, owner of Red Rooster restaurant in Harlem, will receive the 2013 Spirit of Africa Award. The celebrated chef, entrepreneur and author will be honored at the fourth annual Self-Help Africa Change-Maker?s Gala Ball on October 25.
The gala is a fundraiser for African entrepreneurship. Launched in 2009, the organization?s mission is ?to empower rural Africa to achieve economic independence.?
Martha Hourican, director of development at Self Help Africa, released the following statement: ?We’re thrilled that Marcus is accepting this award ? in some many ways Chef Samuelsson personifies the talent and energy that is emerging from across Africa today, which holds out such hope for the continent’s future.”
Samuelsson rose to culinary fame when at just 24-years old he became the executive chef at NYC?s Aquavit restaurant. Shortly after, he was named ?Best Chef: New York City? by the James Beard foundation.
He opened his Harlem eatery, Red Rooster, in 2010.???
Born in Ethiopia and raised in Sweden, Samuelsson is the author of ?New American Table?, ?The Soul of a New Cuisine? and ?Yes, Chef?.???
