'No Passport Required' celebrity chef Marcus Samuelsson to host WCNY's live virtual 'Taste of Fame' fundraiser

WCNY, Central New York’s public broadcaster, announced its sixth annual “Taste of Fame” culinary fundraiser will feature Marcus Samuelsson, award-winning chef, restaurateur, author and co-owner of Red Rooster Harlem.

The annual event highlights award-winning chefs and celebrates their culinary personalities and careers. Due to the coronavirus restrictions, Samuelsson will host the culinary journey and cooking experience live from New York City to home kitchens across the country on Zoom.

The live event begins at 6:30 p.m. ET and features a 30-minute cocktail Q&A where Samuelsson will share his favorite cocktail recipe, a live cooking lesson, an ingredient box that feeds up to four people for $175 delivered to households by event and culinary partner Tastings NYC, private Zoom rooms to eat with friends in other households, two-week access to the recorded cooking lesson, and the online silent auction.

The premium ticket adds an autographed copy of Samuelsson’s “The Red Rooster Cookbook” for $225. Tickets are 10% off now through Aug. 31. WCNY members receive an additional 5% off at wcny.org/events or by calling 315-453-2424.

“WCNY is excited to continue to produce this event in a new and interactive way across the country,” said Mitch Gelman, WCNY president and CEO. “Guests will have the opportunity to enjoy cooking a delicious meal with chef Marcus live in their own kitchen!”

“Taste of Fame” is made possible with support from presenting sponsor Wegmans, and “Chef Minutes” sponsor Pathfinder Bank.

•Times

6:30–7 p.m.: Cocktails

7 p.m.: Dinner

•Menu

Appetizer: Southern greens salad with vinaigrette. A mix of tender salad greens tossed with a sorghum spiked apple cider vinaigrette and crunchy southern pecans.

Entrée: Curry with yams and swiss chard (choice of shrimp, chicken or tofu). A fragrant, spiced coconut curry filled with sweet yams, verdant swiss chard, and a tender protein of one’s choice.

Dessert: Red velvet cookies. A chewy cookie bursting with white chocolate chips and the classic red velvet flavor.

For more information, visit wcny.org/tasteoffame, call 315-453-2424, or email [email protected].

Proceeds from the “Taste of Fame” fundraiser support WCNY’s programs and services.

Born in Ethiopia, but raised and educated in Gothenberg, Sweden, Samuelsson is an acclaimed chef who owns restaurants around the world, including Red Rooster Harlem, Red Rooster Overtown in Miami, Red Rooster Shoreditch in London, MARCUS Montreal, Norda Oslo, and Marcus B&P in Newark, New Jersey.

He is the host of the PBS hit show “No Passport Required,” in which he travels across the U.S. to learn about food traditions from different immigrant communities.

Samuelsson has been crowned champion of cooking television shows “Top Chef Masters” and “Chopped All Stars,” and was the winning mentor on ABC’s “The Taste.” He currently serves as an executive producer of Viceland’s show “Hustle, as well as the co-chair of “Career Through Culinary Arts Program” (C-Cap), and co-producer of the food festival Harlem EatUp!

Samuelsson has published a number of cookbooks, including the New York Times Bestselling memoir, “Yes, Chef,” and “The Red Rooster Cookbook: The Story of Food and Hustle in Harlem.”

He was the youngest chef to ever receive three stars from the New York Times. His other honors include: the James Beard Foundation Award for Outstanding TV Personality, the James Beard Foundation Award for Best Chef: New York City, and the 2019 Vilcek Foundation Prize in Culinary Arts, awarded to immigrants who have made lasting contributions to American Society.