Favorite Foods Enjoyed By 8 Black Celebrity Chefs

It’s Black History Month, a time to honor the trailblazing accomplishments and contributions of those that came before us. While Black people have impacted every facet of society, food in particular has always been an important cultural signifier.

From Southern Soul Food to cuisines from the greater African diaspora, the array of flavors and styles is endless. Today in particular, thanks to social media, there are many Black celebrity chefs helping to share the flavors of Black culture with the world.

Beyond spreading the Black culinary perspective and history, they hope to connect with food lovers of all ethnic backgrounds. After all, great food is great food. So, in honor of great food, we’ve put together a list of favorite foods enjoyed by popular Black celebrity chefs.

Marcus Samuelsson

Marcus Samuelsson is a world-renowned celebrity chef, restaurateur, and television personality. He’s famously known as a judge on food competition show Chopped, and owner of Harlem’s acclaimed Red Rooster. Samuelsson developed a love for cured salmon while growing up in Sweden, where it was a popular food.

FAVORITE FOOD: Salmon Gravlax Sandwich

INGREDIENTS: Thinly sliced salmon that’s cured up to three days using sugar, himalayan salt, peppercorns, lemon and grapefruit zest, fennel seeds and fresh dill. Bagels (toasted if you prefer) with cream cheese spread, squeeze of a lemon wedge, topped with red onions, and dill.

Jessica B. Harris

Jessica B. Harris is an award-winning food historian, college professor, and cookbook author. She’s published over 12 cookbooks that document foods of the African Diaspora. Harris loves chicken yassa for its ability to open people up to African cuisine, and considers it her “good luck dish.”

FAVORITE FOOD: Chicken Yassa

INGREDIENTS: Onion-base braised chicken that’s marinated with onions, scotch bonnets, and citrus juice. Served with rice, couscous, or fonio.

Carla Hall

Carla Hall is a famous chef and tv personality who gained notoriety following a memorable appearance on food competition show Top Chef. Since, she’s become a household name, sharing the richness of soul food from around the world. Hall considers ratatouille her go-to dish for summer entertainment.

FAVORITE FOOD: Ratatouille

INGREDIENTS: Baked yellow squash, zucchini, eggplant, potato, and bell pepper arranged in layers atop a bed of flavorful tomato and béchamel sauce.

Lazarus Lynch

Lazarus Lynch is a two-time winner of food competition show Chopped and celebrated queer chef. Lynch loves sweet potatoes so much, he says if he could eat them anytime, he’d be in heaven.

FAVORITE FOOD: Sweet Potatoes

PERSONAL RECIPES: Sweet Potato Pecan Cinnamon Rolls w/ Bourbon Glaze, No-Fry Sweet Potato Rosemary Crisps, Parsnip Sweet Potato Latke w/ Garlic Aioli, Sweet Potato Pie w/ Gingerbread Crust and Marshmallows

Leah Chase

Leah Chase is known as the Queen of Creole Cuisine, and owner of New Orleans’ longtime staple Dooky Chase Restaurant. Her gumbo is famous, having been enjoyed by such notable figures as Martin Luther King Jr., Quincy Jones, and even former president Barack Obama.

FAVORITE FOOD: Gumbo

INGREDIENTS: A soup filled with garlic, diced celery, red bell pepper, red and green onion, crushed tomatoes, okra, blend of seasoning, ground chorizo, fish and chicken stock, andouille sausages, shrimp, and chopped scallions and fresh parsley for serving.

Sunny Anderson

Sunny Anderson a Food Network star known for the aptly-titled show “The Kitchen.” Growing up she was an army brat, traveling around the world. That experience made her develop a love for German sausages, Jaegerschnitzel and spaetzle to be exact. She considers them her favorite comfort foods.

FAVORITE FOOD: German Sausages

TYPES: Jaegerschnitzel and Spaetzle

Kelis

Kelis is a famous music entertainer turned celebrity chef. While on tour in Malaysia for a few weeks, she stumbled across roti with milk and curry. It would become one of her favorite meals, and every morning she would stop the local cart to grab some.

FAVORITE: Roti with Condensed Milk and Curry

INGREDIENTS: Your choice of protein or veggies, green peas, onion & garlic. Malaysian curry powder with condensed milk, chicken or vegetable stock. Served hot with roti canai.

Andre Rush

Andre Rush is a military veteran turned celebrity chef who worked in the White House as a chef for four administrations. Known for his hulking size, to maintain it he consumes three to four whole roasted chickens per day.

FAVORITE: Whole Roast Chicken