Marcus Samuelsson To Guest Chef State Dinner

As the White House prepares for next Tuesday's state dinner honoring Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Politico reports that chef Marcus Samuelsson has been invited to join White House Executive Chef Cristeta Comerford in the kitchen.

Inviting an outside chef into the kitchen comes with a little controversy, Marian Burros writes:

The practice of using visiting chefs began in the Clinton administration, but it doesn't get raves from former chefs. "I would have been very upset if they had done that," said Henry Haller, who spent 21 years as chef for administrations stretching from the Johnson to the Reagans.

Samuelsson was born in Ethiopia, raised in Sweden by his adoptive parents, and now resides in New York. He runs the highly regarded restaurant Aquavit in New York.

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Comments

[bla2009]

09:13 PM on 11/24/2009

Marcus is a friend and the best there is.

[jingles32]

10:14 PM on 11/24/2009

He truly is. I am of Swedish heritage and often bring family visiting from Sweden to have dinner at Aquavit; an amazing dining experience!

And the former WH pastry chef, Henry, (mentioned above) was on Larry King tonight...between him railing against the menu, and against Marcus guest chef-ing, and Paula Deene (sp?) talking over everyone, Larry was having a meltdown! lol Henry was definitely a throw back to the Reagan years; lighten up, Henry!

And MIchelle's dress was simply stunning! Wow!

[From the Raft]

11:19 PM on 11/21/2009

This is driving Beck and Rush mad. Stay tuned!

[Bashley]

11:11 AM on 11/20/2009

I have one of Samuelsson's cookbooks on cooking African inspired dishes, and I fell in love with him when I successfully made an African dish!

I'm sure Christina Comerford and her staff will enjoy working with him. I hope everyone enjoys this dinner.

[mamapower]

08:22 PM on 11/21/2009

Exactly!

[poodwah]

01:21 PM on 11/19/2009

Congrats Marcus...you will have great success at the dinner.
Dru

[Teri]

11:38 AM on 11/19/2009

i would be so afraid if i were the white house chef to have to cook for another chef of such acclaim! scary!

[nikki2009]

11:31 AM on 11/19/2009

GORGEOUS guy! I would invite him too if I could!

[Two Cents]

11:49 AM on 11/19/2009

. . . Ethiopian people are beautiful. (Delicious food, as well--v. close to Indian fare.)

[Suntio]

11:58 AM on 11/19/2009

I don't care for that sour bread thing they use to soak up sauces.

[Suntio]

11:59 AM on 11/19/2009

I do agree with the comment about the Ethiopian people; Somalis are beautiful, too.

[cyoohoos]

08:06 PM on 11/18/2009

I loved him on Top Chef as a guest. But I guess chef's have EGOS too.

[OverIt]

06:26 PM on 11/18/2009

Loved him on Iron Chef!

[roshni]

07:16 PM on 11/18/2009

me too. He is awesome. I'm glad Manmohan Singh will be here for Thanksgiving.