--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Food has always been in my life. Being…" description: "\"Food has always been in my life. Being born in Ethiopia, where there was a lack of food, and then really cooking with my grandmother Helga in Sweden. A..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a2e/marcus-samuelsson-1990_always_food-has-always-been-in-my-life-being-bo_3223186.jpg" --- # Food has always been in my life. Being born in Ethiopia… ![“Food has always been in my life. Being born in Ethiopia, where there was a lack of food, and then really cooking with my grandmother Helga in Sweden. And my grandmother Helga was a cook's cook.” quote by Marcus Samuelsson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a2e/marcus-samuelsson-1990_always_food-has-always-been-in-my-life-being-bo_3223186.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a2e/marcus-samuelsson-1990_always_food-has-always-been-in-my-life-being-bo_3223186.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a2e/marcus-samuelsson-1990_always_food-has-always-been-in-my-life-being-bo_3223186.jpg) > “Food has always been in my life. Being born in Ethiopia, where there was a lack of food, and then really cooking with my grandmother Helga in Sweden. And my grandmother Helga was a cook's cook.” [Marcus Samuelsson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcus-samuelsson/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. His early experiences of scarcity and family cooking shaped his lifelong passion for food and cultural identity. **In simple terms:** Food shaped his by and identity. Key Takeaway Embrace heritage in cooking. Themes culture identity food family resilience Mood reflective proud Type inspirational personal When to use this quote - Personal storytelling - menu development - cultural events Key Concepts Culinary tradition migration memory Questions to Reflect On - How does your heritage influence your cooking? - What role does family play in your culinary journey? ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Being](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/being/) [Cooking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cooking/) [Ethiopia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ethiopia/) [Food](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/food/) [Grandmother](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/grandmother/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Sweden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sweden/) ## Related quotes > [In Ethiopia, where I was born, all the cooks are women. When I grew up in Sweden, my mom and my grandmother did predominantly…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcus-samuelsson/in-ethiopia-where-i-was-born-all-the-cooks-are-women-when-i-grew-up/) [Marcus Samuelsson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcus-samuelsson/) > [There are so many times there could have been a left turn instead of a right turn in all people's lives. I think mine…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcus-samuelsson/there-are-so-many-times-there-could-have-been-a-left-turn-instead-of/) [Marcus Samuelsson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcus-samuelsson/) > [With cult foods, there is an underlying assumption that the best cooking ideas came generations ago. Yet culinary innovation is nothing to be ashamed…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nathan-myhrvold/with-cult-foods-there-is-an-underlying-assumption-that-the-best/) [Nathan Myhrvold](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nathan-myhrvold/) > [I was raised cooking my grandmother's food, my mom's recipes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lacey-chabert/i-was-raised-cooking-my-grandmother-s-food-my-mom-s-recipes/) [Lacey Chabert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lacey-chabert/) > [My earliest memory of cooking is my grandmother showing me how to make chicken gravy on the big combustion stove in her kitchen. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-torode/my-earliest-memory-of-cooking-is-my-grandmother-showing-me-how-to/) [John Torode](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-torode/) > [I don't have memories of Ethiopia as a child. I didn't learn about Ethiopian culture until after I moved to New York and started…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcus-samuelsson/i-don-t-have-memories-of-ethiopia-as-a-child-i-didn-t-learn-about/) [Marcus Samuelsson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcus-samuelsson/) > [I had a long-lasting love affair with the flavors from Japan and the hustling New York street vendors. And, of course, a life-changing return…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcus-samuelsson/i-had-a-long-lasting-love-affair-with-the-flavors-from-japan-and-the/) [Marcus Samuelsson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcus-samuelsson/) > [In Ethiopia, food is often looked at through a strong spiritual lens, stronger than anywhere else I know. It's the focal point of weddings,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcus-samuelsson/in-ethiopia-food-is-often-looked-at-through-a-strong-spiritual-lens/) [Marcus Samuelsson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcus-samuelsson/) > [I came into this environment where there was so much love, so much positive energy. I never heard my parents say, 'We have adopted…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcus-samuelsson/i-came-into-this-environment-where-there-was-so-much-love-so-much/) [Marcus Samuelsson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcus-samuelsson/) > [Sweden was once a very homogenous society, but no more. For decades, people have been coming into Sweden from all over the world, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcus-samuelsson/sweden-was-once-a-very-homogenous-society-but-no-more-for-decades/) [Marcus Samuelsson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcus-samuelsson/) > [The holidays are my favorite time of year! Christmas was always one of the biggest celebrations in Sweden, and I look forward to the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcus-samuelsson/the-holidays-are-my-favorite-time-of-year-christmas-was-always-one-of/) [Marcus Samuelsson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcus-samuelsson/) > [Thanksgiving is one of my favorite American traditions. I quickly picked it up when I moved to the U.S. from Sweden.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcus-samuelsson/thanksgiving-is-one-of-my-favorite-american-traditions-i-quickly/) [Marcus Samuelsson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcus-samuelsson/) > [Food is one of life's really great pleasures. My 20th birthday party was all about booze, my 30th birthday was about drugs, and now…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-james/food-is-one-of-life-s-really-great-pleasures-my-20th-birthday-party/) Alex James > [I've had a love-hate 'relationship with food for most of my life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/perez-hilton/i-ve-had-a-love-hate-relationship-with-food-for-most-of-my-life/) [Perez Hilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/perez-hilton/) > [You have to find a balance with food in your life - you can't take out food. It can be absolutely terrifying.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carre-otis/you-have-to-find-a-balance-with-food-in-your-life-you-can-t-take-out/) [Carre Otis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carre-otis/) ## More by Marcus Samuelsson > [Criticism is part of the creative man's journey, and I appreciate it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcus-samuelsson/criticism-is-part-of-the-creative-man-s-journey-and-i-appreciate-it/) [Marcus Samuelsson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcus-samuelsson/) > [We can all agree that government cant solve the obesity crisis alone. Its an ongoing issue that will require a collaborative effort across private…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcus-samuelsson/we-can-all-agree-that-government-cant-solve-the-obesity-crisis-alone/) [Marcus Samuelsson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcus-samuelsson/) > [While most individuals use the flesh of the coconut in their cooking, coconut water and oil are also known to have numerous health benefits.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcus-samuelsson/while-most-individuals-use-the-flesh-of-the-coconut-in-their-cooking/) [Marcus Samuelsson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcus-samuelsson/) > [For many sports fans, the onset of fall only means one thing: It's football season!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcus-samuelsson/for-many-sports-fans-the-onset-of-fall-only-means-one-thing-it-s/) [Marcus Samuelsson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcus-samuelsson/) > [There are so many times there could have been a left turn instead of a right turn in all people's lives. I think mine…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcus-samuelsson/there-are-so-many-times-there-could-have-been-a-left-turn-instead-of/) [Marcus Samuelsson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcus-samuelsson/) > [I stand behind everything I've done.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcus-samuelsson/i-stand-behind-everything-i-ve-done/) [Marcus Samuelsson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcus-samuelsson/) > [I'm lucky to live in New York, a city that offers so many options for lunch. I can pick up dumplings from a Midtown…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcus-samuelsson/i-m-lucky-to-live-in-new-york-a-city-that-offers-so-many-options-for/) [Marcus Samuelsson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcus-samuelsson/) > [Thanksgiving is one of my favorite American traditions. I quickly picked it up when I moved to the U.S. from Sweden.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcus-samuelsson/thanksgiving-is-one-of-my-favorite-american-traditions-i-quickly/) [Marcus Samuelsson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcus-samuelsson/) > [Although I believe affection and romance should be shown all year around, it's always smart to have a good plan up your sleeve for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcus-samuelsson/although-i-believe-affection-and-romance-should-be-shown-all-year/) [Marcus Samuelsson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcus-samuelsson/) > [I would love to take a cooking class from Gandhi. Maybe I could teach him how to cook, and he could teach me his…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcus-samuelsson/i-would-love-to-take-a-cooking-class-from-gandhi-maybe-i-could-teach/) [Marcus Samuelsson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcus-samuelsson/) > [I get so tickled when that pilot happens to be an African American because I rarely see that. The same is true when I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcus-samuelsson/i-get-so-tickled-when-that-pilot-happens-to-be-an-african-american/) [Marcus Samuelsson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcus-samuelsson/) > [It's key to know which essential foods will keep you going and help your body recover after hard work.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcus-samuelsson/it-s-key-to-know-which-essential-foods-will-keep-you-going-and-help/) [Marcus Samuelsson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcus-samuelsson/) > [I love using rice as a flour; I'll grind roasted rice and dip fish in that. It gives a beautiful, crunchy texture.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcus-samuelsson/i-love-using-rice-as-a-flour-i-ll-grind-roasted-rice-and-dip-fish-in/) [Marcus Samuelsson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcus-samuelsson/) > [The Swedish Christmas is definitely unique, even throughout Scandinavia. Like Christmas everywhere, it's a very family-centered holiday.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcus-samuelsson/the-swedish-christmas-is-definitely-unique-even-throughout/) [Marcus Samuelsson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcus-samuelsson/) > [I am many different things, and that is why I am so proud to be American.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcus-samuelsson/i-am-many-different-things-and-that-is-why-i-am-so-proud-to-be/) [Marcus Samuelsson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcus-samuelsson/) [Explore all 193 Marcus Samuelsson quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcus-samuelsson/) ## More Always quotes > [I think performing has pretty much always been a part of me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/isa-briones/i-think-performing-has-pretty-much-always-been-a-part-of-me/) [Isa Briones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/isa-briones/) > [I always thought if I was born 2000 years earlier, I would be a monk, probably carving a monastery or some giant pantheon buildings.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jenova-chen/i-always-thought-if-i-was-born-2000-years-earlier-i-would-be-a-monk/) [Jenova Chen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jenova-chen/) > [I always like a character who makes me laugh.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachael-stirling/i-always-like-a-character-who-makes-me-laugh/) [Rachael Stirling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachael-stirling/) > [It's always great to see old friends, especially those I have not been able to see in 15 months.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-regal/it-s-always-great-to-see-old-friends-especially-those-i-have-not-been/) [William Regal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-regal/) > [When you step out and do a song in a musical, the easier thing to do is make it funny. But when those transitions…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelli-o-hara/when-you-step-out-and-do-a-song-in-a-musical-the-easier-thing-to-do/) [Kelli O'Hara](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelli-o-hara/) > [I have really good lateral movement. I've always had quick lateral movement.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/austin-rivers/i-have-really-good-lateral-movement-i-ve-always-had-quick-lateral/) [Austin Rivers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/austin-rivers/) > [There is something magical about being able to feel somebody. And that is something that has always moved me with music.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maria-brink/there-is-something-magical-about-being-able-to-feel-somebody-and-that/) [Maria Brink](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maria-brink/) > [Mythology is something that always has opportunities to explore. 'It' has been on Earth for millions of years. He's been in contact with humans…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andy-muschietti/mythology-is-something-that-always-has-opportunities-to-explore-it/) [Andy Muschietti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andy-muschietti/) > [It's not writing in the traditional sense, but I've always said that the writing process continues on the set and even into the editing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-b-weide/it-s-not-writing-in-the-traditional-sense-but-i-ve-always-said-that/) [Robert B. Weide](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-b-weide/) > [I always watch my matches back 100 times afterwards because that's how I improve. This is something I've always done, even in NXT.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mandy-rose/i-always-watch-my-matches-back-100-times-afterwards-because-that-s/) [Mandy Rose](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mandy-rose/) > [I've always been of the idea that is doesn't really matter where you are geographically - with 'Lonerism,' we made half the album in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-parker/i-ve-always-been-of-the-idea-that-is-doesn-t-really-matter-where-you/) [Kevin Parker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-parker/) > [It's very easy to fool yourself that you're working, you know, when you're really not working very hard. I mean, I'm very lazy. So…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-caro/it-s-very-easy-to-fool-yourself-that-you-re-working-you-know-when-you/) [Robert Caro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-caro/) > [Whether it was Little League or playing with your brothers or sisters, that was always a problem. If I would lose - because I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cal-ripken-jr/whether-it-was-little-league-or-playing-with-your-brothers-or-sisters/) [Cal Ripken, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cal-ripken-jr/) > [I always say if you put someone from a small town into a big city for ten years, then when they go back, they'll…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-colter/i-always-say-if-you-put-someone-from-a-small-town-into-a-big-city-for/) [Mike Colter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-colter/) > [Bayern is always a team that can win the Champions League title in Europe.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lothar-matthaus/bayern-is-always-a-team-that-can-win-the-champions-league-title-in/) [Lothar Matthaus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lothar-matthaus/) Browse all 36,048 Always quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Food has always been in my life. 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