In this episode of In The Weeds Podcast, Spike goes deep with Chef Marcus Samuelsson — James Beard Award winner, author, activist, and the force behind Red Rooster, Hav & Mar, Streetbird, and Marcus DC.

What you’ll hear in this episode:

• Marcus on walking into DC Central Kitchen and why programs like this are the future of food justice.
• His journey from being born in Ethiopia and adopted into a Swedish family — and the goosebump story of the nurse who changed his life.
• Experiencing snow for the first time as a kid and adjusting to life in Sweden.
• Learning flavor from his grandmother’s Swedish meatballs and how food became his language.
• The brutal but brilliant lessons of French kitchens — from scallop mishaps to finding mentors.
• Taking over Aquavit at just 23 years old after the tragic death of its chef, and the fear that fueled his rise.
• Why the future of fine dining isn’t only in France anymore — it’s global, from Peru to Colombia.

Marcus’s story is about more than cooking. It’s about resilience, second chances, and shaping the soul of American food while staying rooted in community.

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🎙️🎙️ In The Weeds Podcast is proudly sponsored by: 

Events DC is the official convention and sports authority for the District and a key player in making some of DC’s most exciting events and experiences happen. From world-class sports to cultural festivals and everything in between, they help power the energy of the city. Visit eventsdc.com to see what they are cooking up!

DC Central Kitchen is an iconic nonprofit and social enterprise that combats hunger and poverty through job training and job creation. The organization provides hands-on culinary job training for individuals facing high barriers to employment while creating living wage jobs and bringing nutritious, dignified food where it is most needed. To learn more, please visit dccentralkitchen.org