An eight-time James Beard Award-winning chef and TV personality, Marcus Samuelsson has restaurants around the globe (including hot spots in New York, Las Vegas, Sweden, Finland, Canada and the Bahamas). But Miami has always held special charm for the 51-year-old, NYC-based “Yes, Chef” author, who brought his famed Harlem restaurant, Red Rooster, to Magic City in December 2020. Located in Overtown — known as the Harlem of the South — its elevated comfort-food standouts include the fried yardbird served with chef-at-large Amaris Jones’ collards. Samuelsson, who was born in Ethiopia and raised in Sweden, may have first visited South Florida for the weather, but he tells Alexa that he keeps returning for its bold flavors. Here are a few of his ingredients for a magical visit.
“Every scent from this company is based on the Harlem Renaissance. I love the intricate and complex notes that perfectly capture the neighborhood I call home.”
“You have to stand out when you’re in South Beach because everyone’s style is so fresh. French Kiwis have really great eyewear. Whether I’m needing my reading glasses on the go or sunglasses in the Miami sun, I always have a pair in my bag.”
“I need a bespoke and natural skin-care line when I’m traveling so much for work, so I can adapt to different climates.”
“This brand always knocks it out of the park, but the ‘Beau Noir’ scent is my personal favorite.
“My son Zion is 6, and I value for teaching such an important message, about helping others, at a young age.”
“I’ve been wearing Eton shirts for a while now, and I keep coming back for more — probably because my wife loves them, too, and keeps stealing them from my closet!”
“One of my favorite dishes at my Chelsea restaurant, Hav & Mar, is the Grand Jubilee. It’s meant for families to share together, and requires a pretty sturdy spoon. Here’s my favorite.”
“My new Audible series, ‘Seat at the Table,’ came out this month, and I’ve been loving listening to the episodes. Jonathan Waxman and I did the interviews piece by piece, but hearing all of the perspectives come together in the podcast is so exciting and cool.”
“I love what Shawn Pean is doing at June79. His blazers are perfect for the transition of seasons.”
“When you find a hat that feels good and fits right, you’ve completed your ‘signature look.’ If you’ve ever bumped into me in Miami, more than likely I was wearing one of these hats.”
“Not only is Black Girl Magic one of my favorites, but the McBride sisters have such an amazing story [the founders, Andréa and Robin, are half-sisters who grew up separately in California and New Zealand, and didn’t find out about each other — and their mutual love of wine — until their father’s death]. I love when food or drink is also a conversation piece.”
“Almost every time I’m in the kitchen cooking, I’m listening to the news or a podcast in Swedish. A comfortable set of earbuds is key for me.”
