Marcus Samuelsson, a name synonymous with culinary excellence, will be the keynote speaker at the upcoming graduation ceremony for the Class of 2024. Born in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Samuelsson grew up in Sweden, where he honed his culinary skills at the Culinary Institute of Gothenburg. Today, he stands as a global force in the food industry.
He owns and operates several successful restaurants, including the acclaimed Red Rooster in Harlem and Shoreditch, and the Marcus B&P. Samuelsson has been awarded eight prestigious James Beard Foundation Awards and even made American history by planning and executing the first state dinner hosted by the Obama administration in honor of Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.
Head of School Laura Danforth highlighted Samuelsson’s embodiment of our school’s mission, Do It With Thy Might. She explained, “I try to make sure that all our speakers know our mission, and know that ‘doing it with thy might’ means something here. I think he has done it with his might and that he’s definitely a power for good in the world.”
Samuelsson’s “power for good” endeavors extend beyond dining. He co-produces the annual Harlem EatUp festival, celebrating the neighborhood’s rich culinary and cultural heritage. Additionally, he is the co-chair of the Career through Culinary Arts Program, which empowers underprivileged youth to pursue careers in the culinary field.
For fans of culinary television shows, Samuelsson is a familiar face. He’s a champion of both “Chopped All Stars” and “Top Chef Masters” and has served as a judge on “Guy’s Grocery Games,” “Top Chef,” “Iron Chef USA,” “Iron Chef America,” and “Chopped.”
“It was nice to hear that he has so much experience on all of these cooking shows we’re obsessed with,” said Senior Class President Sibora Sadrijaj. She continued, “He comes from such a diverse background which touches many of us.”
Danforth echoed this sentiment, referencing a portion of a previous speech Samuelsson gave. “He was a speaker at [the 2023 Teacher’s College of Columbia University’s Convocation Ceremony] and he said this: ‘If a kid who grew up in a hut in Ethiopia can be standing before you a few years later and telling my story, then nothing is impossible for you.’ That’s what I want graduates to hear every single year, regardless of the speaker,” Danforth said.
Sadrijaj expressed how Samuelsson’s message of perseverance will resonate well with the graduation class. “He’s accomplished a lot,” she said. “I think that his drive and ambition, which led him to grow to the platform he has now, is something that would come across well in a speech.”
