How I Built A $75 Million Restaurant Empire

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When Marcus Samuelsson was working as a chef in France, he was told that he’d never own a restaurant because there weren’t any Black-owned businesses with the ambition that he had. This propelled him to move to America where he had seen Black excellence and was motivated to bring his vision to life. Today that dream resides in Harlem and has become one of New York City’s most famous restaurants.

Born in Ethiopia, he was separated from his parents during the Civil War in 1974 and subsequently adopted by Swedish parents. After spending his entire youth cooking alongside his grandmother, he developed the chops to work in kitchens around the world. Since then he’s been an immigrant six times, but laid his roots in America where he opened 23 restaurants and employed 2,000 people under normal circumstances.

When Covid struck New York City he quickly turned his restaurant into a community kitchen and began donating meals to essential workers and some of the hardest hit communities of color. His efforts kept much of his staff employed and fed over 250,000 people in need.

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40 COMMENTS

  7. REPENT before its too late. Knowingly or unknowingly you are calling judgment upon yourself. Even the last words of Anton Lavey were "Oh my, what have I done? There is something that is very wrong(x3)". Jesus Christ of Nazareth is the King of Kings whether you like it or not. BECAREFUL!!!

  8. "If you are passionate and open to learn, you will never be out of work."
    I really hope this is true. You run one of the few restaurants I would go out of my way to travel to. I am a US woman who is over 50, white. Men of all colors were able to vote here in the US before women. The middle east has even had more women leaders than the US. I get discrimination. Obviously, the world is messed up and I hope good people stand behind good people to try to make amends. We are all just humans and flawed, but capable of correcting our errors, esp when others are brave enough to point them out and generous enough to allow us to correct ourselves. I love all of your endeavors, Marcus, because you are both brave and kind. The world needs more of you. Much respect.

  15. By overcharging self-entitled pervert-capitalistsa who are willing to pay for your overpriced garbage because they stole it through imperialism colonialism slavery and 6$ cup of coffee thats really worth 5 cents. Thug like the rest of them

  16. Hello I watching your YouTube. And I am very respectful of you and you have a great human heart ❤ and would peace and I'm japanese and Buddha to grow up and to I live in usa I'm citizen usa. I'm so a appreciate my life to my friends and usa and most I'm so grateful to living in usa. Your so kind and amazing and great human and family love thank you so much for your support and prayers and love for everyone. ❤ from USA and japanese women love to lot of human and animals and this world 🌎

  18. Nothing about this guy is real. A hyped up media darling riding the race empowerment bandwagon through massive injections of media hype revolving around his background and perceived quality of his creations. Basic chef with no real talent, bent on aesthetic depravity making his dishes highly unappealing and amateurish. Wound up running a Harlem Experience need to visit. Song and dance smoke and mirrors but a mediocre food that is not really criticized by food critics due to political correctness and fear of being labeled a bigot

  19. I have worked with Wolfgang Puck!. And who are you to see racists on every street corner?. And also your story you bring up every now and then. About your mother who carried you in Ethiopia couple of km. Please put this down the rest of us are getting sick of this about your mother who had turbekolouse. I don't grumble about my bareness with courage attempts etc. So grow up you fool!!!

  26. I like guy's success story, i went to Marcus Montreal however and frankly the food was overrated.

    1. Very expensive for what it was.
    2. Quantity was lacking (I understand gourmet/high end cuisine is like that but this was a little over the top). For example what ever seafood dish you order will have very few pieces of seafood and lots of sauce/vegetables.
    3. We left still hungry after i paid a ridiculous bill.
    4. Very hyped up for what it is.

    The pros however:

    1. Setting is nice.
    2. Staff and service is great.
    3. Cocktails are well made.
    4. Location is great.

  33. Being a fellow New Yorker and apart of the community he serves, I can attest that this guy is the truth!!! Always giving back to the community and very approachable. Great restaurant, great food, and great vibes! Harlem*Lenox Ave*W. 125th St!!! I wish him all the best! 🙏🏽❤️

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