Marcus Samuelsson

With thirty restaurants spanning the globe, Ethiopian Swedish American Chef Marcus Samuelsson has racked up so many awards and accolades that a level of ego would be forgivable. But a responsibility to history and community grounded him, and he looked to both when pulling in components for his Spoonful. "I'm always chasing new flavors," he says. "But I also rely on the foundational, familiar flavors of my upbringing, like berbere from Ethiopia or lemon and dill used in Scandinavian cooking."

His favorite spoon is set atop a plate with an image of the iconic Apollo Theater in Harlem, where Samuelsson lives and works. "This Spoonful shows my journey around the world and with food," he finishes.