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Previously - The cook who picks cotton: reclaiming my roots and Marcus Samuelsson: How I got here

When top toques like Daniel Boulud, José Andrés, John Besh and Michael Chiarello get, erm, late night cravings, they don't go scrambling for the pots, pans and sous vide machine.
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Marcus Samuelsson and Roblé Ali are two different chefs.

Samuelsson, 41, is an established name amongst foodies and the proprietor of Red Rooster, a renown Harlem restaurant.

Ali, 27, is an up and coming chef and animated reality-show star who works full time as an established caterer.

Samuelsson has made a name for himself embracing his identity as both a black chef and a Swedish immigrant to the United States, but younger chefs like Ali find themselves pushing back against being known simply as a “black chef.” Ali, who’s still building his brand, was frustrated when a blog author unexpectedly labeled him a “hip-hop chef.”

“Who takes you serious when you’re the hip hop chef?” said Ali. “And why am I the hip hop chef, because I’m black? I’m not break dancing.”

Read - A tale of two chefs: Marcus Samuelsson and Roblé Ali

Previously - a Secret Supper at Red Rooster

Food says so much about where you’ve come from, where you’ve decided to go, and the lessons you’ve learned. It’s geography, politics, tradition, belief and so much more.

All week, Eatocracy has invited you to dig in and discover the rich, ever-evolving taste of America in 2011 - ultimately culminating in the fourth edition of our Secret Supper in New York City.

Tonight, Eatocracy has gathered together some of New York's most dynamic and vocal residents at Red Rooster to not only stuff them with a multi-course meal crafted by Marcus Samuelsson, Suvir Saran and George Mendes, but also to talk about the inextricable bond between food and cultural identity.

After a week reminiscing on the flavors of home, it's time to finally dip into the cultural melting pot and pull up a chair to our virtual table.
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Who are you? How do you define yourself?
"I am a chef through and through. Everything I do – whether it is cooking for kids in Harlem or cooking in a fine dining establishment – all my days are consumed by food. Every day, whether I am teaching or entertaining – I absolutely love bringing different people and cultures together.

I define myself as American, Swedish, [and] African. I draw on all of my different cultures and experiences and that is who I am today. I am many different things and that is why I am so proud to be American."
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The best meals aren't just about Michelin stars and vintage Champagne. No matter where these celebrity chefs' careers have taken them, they're always hungry for the flavors of home.

Chefs John Besh, George Mendes, Andrew Zimmern, Marcus Samuelsson, Michael Chiarello, Angelo Sosa, Richard Blais and Sang Yoon talk about the influences their families and cultural ties have had on the way they cook today.
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5@5 is a daily, food-related list from chefs, writers, political pundits, musicians, actors, and all manner of opinionated people from around the globe.

The masses will surely recognize Marcus Samuelsson as season two's winner of Top Chef Masters, winning $115,000 for the UNICEF Tap Project.

But, the Ethiopian-born chef originally made his name at Aquavit restaurant in New York City after two three-star New York Times' reviews in 1995 and 2001.

Since then, Samuelsson has won three James Beard Awards, authored three cookbooks and in November 2009, was invited to cook President Barack Obama's first White House state dinner for Prime Minister Singh of India and 400 guests.

With his new restaurant, the Red Rooster Harlem, set to open in the fall, Samuelsson is keeping tabs on what's cooking in the restaurant industry ... and what's fizzling on out.

Five Restaurant Trends That Should End: Marcus Samuelsson

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