--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: What makes Harlem special is that at any…" description: "\"What makes Harlem special is that at any given time, food seekers can not only find food deeply rooted in Southern, Latin and African traditions, but a..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4d0/marcus-samuelsson-1990_african_what-makes-harlem-special-is-that-at-any_2198674.png" --- # What makes Harlem special is that at any given time, food… ![“What makes Harlem special is that at any given time, food seekers can not only find food deeply rooted in Southern, Latin and African traditions, but also can taste the newer Senegalese, Chinese, and Italian influences as well.” quote by Marcus Samuelsson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4d0/marcus-samuelsson-1990_african_what-makes-harlem-special-is-that-at-any_2198674.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4d0/marcus-samuelsson-1990_african_what-makes-harlem-special-is-that-at-any_2198674.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4d0/marcus-samuelsson-1990_african_what-makes-harlem-special-is-that-at-any_2198674.png) > “What makes Harlem special is that at any given time, food seekers can not only find food deeply rooted in Southern, Latin and African traditions, but also can taste the newer Senegalese, Chinese, and Italian influences as well.” [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. Harlem’s culinary scene blends historic traditions with diverse new influences, creating a unique, evolving food culture. **In simple terms:** Harlem offers a rich, mixed food heritage. Key Takeaway Explore and support diverse culinary traditions. Themes culture diversity food heritage Mood celebratory curious Type descriptive inspirational When to use this quote - restaurant dining - food festivals - community cooking classes - travel itineraries Key Concepts sociology culinary arts globalization Questions to Reflect On - How does food reflect cultural identity? - Which new culinary influence excites you most? A Different Perspective Balancing tradition and innovation can be challenging for chefs and diners alike. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [African](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/african/) [Also](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/also/) [Any](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/any/) [Chinese](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/chinese/) [Deeply](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/deeply/) [Find](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/find/) [Food](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/food/) [Food Seekers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/food-seekers-4820762/) [Given](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/given/) [Harlem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/harlem/) [Influences](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/influences/) [Italian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/italian/) [Italian Influences](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/italian-influences-4820761/) [Latin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/latin/) [Makes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/makes/) [Makes Harlem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/makes-harlem-4820760/) [Only](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/only/) [Rooted](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/rooted/) [Southern](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/southern/) [Special](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/special/) [Taste](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/taste/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) [Traditions](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/traditions/) [Traditions Taste](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/traditions-taste-4820759/) [Well](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/well/) ## Related quotes > [I am a chef through and through. Everything I do - whether it is cooking for kids in Harlem or cooking in a fine…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcus-samuelsson/i-am-a-chef-through-and-through-everything-i-do-whether-it-is-cooking/) [Marcus Samuelsson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcus-samuelsson/) > [“I spent so much of my life on the outside that I began to doubt that I would ever truly be in with any…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcus-samuelsson/i-spent-so-much-of-my-life-on-the-outside-that-i-began-to-doubt-that/) [Marcus Samuelsson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcus-samuelsson/) > [“What Harlem is, is constantly changing. It is a place that comes at you like a duet or a trio. Some avenues reveal a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcus-samuelsson/what-harlem-is-is-constantly-changing-it-is-a-place-that-comes-at-you/) [Marcus Samuelsson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcus-samuelsson/) > [Finding creative and effective ways to simultaneously give back and economically empower people is something that is increasingly important. Not everyone can open a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcus-samuelsson/finding-creative-and-effective-ways-to-simultaneously-give-back-and/) [Marcus Samuelsson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcus-samuelsson/) > [I had seen the photographs of Harlem in its glory days, stylish men in bespoke suits, women so well dressed that they'd put the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcus-samuelsson/i-had-seen-the-photographs-of-harlem-in-its-glory-days-stylish-men-in/) [Marcus Samuelsson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcus-samuelsson/) > [Most cultures traditionally link food and spirituality directly with periodic restrictions and celebrations punctuating the year. Abstinence from particular foods or full-on fasting is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcus-samuelsson/most-cultures-traditionally-link-food-and-spirituality-directly-with/) [Marcus Samuelsson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcus-samuelsson/) > [“Right now, Harlem is delicious. On the corner of 125th and Frederick Douglass Avenue, I turn my head south and see Little Senegal steeped…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcus-samuelsson/right-now-harlem-is-delicious-on-the-corner-of-125th-and-frederick/) [Marcus Samuelsson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcus-samuelsson/) > [“Right now in Harlem, for every bank and chicken wing franchise joint, there is a small business owner who has spent a decade trying…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcus-samuelsson/right-now-in-harlem-for-every-bank-and-chicken-wing-franchise-joint/) [Marcus Samuelsson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcus-samuelsson/) > [I'm engaged in food on so many levels, and I love that. So my work, my craft, is around food, and writing is one…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcus-samuelsson/i-m-engaged-in-food-on-so-many-levels-and-i-love-that-so-my-work-my/) [Marcus Samuelsson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcus-samuelsson/) > [In Africa, you have no clean water, but you have good food options. In Harlem, everyone can shower and get fresh water, but you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcus-samuelsson/in-africa-you-have-no-clean-water-but-you-have-good-food-options-in/) [Marcus Samuelsson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcus-samuelsson/) > [Harlem is not a playground for rich bankers and consultants. It's got students of all colors. It's got old people who keep history and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcus-samuelsson/harlem-is-not-a-playground-for-rich-bankers-and-consultants-it-s-got/) [Marcus Samuelsson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcus-samuelsson/) > [I've lived all over the world, but Harlem is very special to me, and when I decided to open a restaurant near my home,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcus-samuelsson/i-ve-lived-all-over-the-world-but-harlem-is-very-special-to-me-and/) [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/) > [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/) > [There aren't traditions of freedom in a place like Iraq. They're going to have to come to grips with a concept that they hadn't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malcolm-wallop/there-aren-t-traditions-of-freedom-in-a-place-like-iraq-they-re-going/) [Malcolm Wallop](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malcolm-wallop/) ## 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 African quotes > [We examine and highlight the history of the African descendants in America, and know that each and every one of us has come this…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yvette-clarke/we-examine-and-highlight-the-history-of-the-african-descendants-in/) [Yvette Clarke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yvette-clarke/) > [I'm just trying to touch the world and touch the people and just get good material. And show them that we can get it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cory-hardrict/i-m-just-trying-to-touch-the-world-and-touch-the-people-and-just-get/) [Cory Hardrict](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cory-hardrict/) > [For people of color - especially African Americans - the idea that racist cops might frame members of their community is no abstract notion,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-wise/for-people-of-color-especially-african-americans-the-idea-that-racist/) [Tim Wise](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-wise/) > [“For their never-ending endeavours to obtain or retain wealth, countries desperately need companies, because they—unlike most human beings—have the means of production, and human…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mokokoma-mokhonoana/for-their-never-ending-endeavours-to-obtain-or-retain-wealth/) [Mokokoma Mokhonoana](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mokokoma-mokhonoana/) > [Virtually all of Darfur's six million residents are Muslim, and, because of decades of intermarriage, almost everyone has dark skin and African features.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samantha-power/virtually-all-of-darfur-s-six-million-residents-are-muslim-and/) [Samantha Power](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samantha-power/) > [I loved Ghana Must Go by Taiye Selasi. Its about a first-generation African family living in America that has to return home to Nigeria…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/uzo-aduba/i-loved-ghana-must-go-by-taiye-selasi-its-about-a-first-generation/) [Uzo Aduba](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/uzo-aduba/) > [I was adopted my black Americans, I feel that I'm a 'Hybrid'. When I'm around Africans'I suddenly feel very black American. And when I'm…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kola-boof/i-was-adopted-my-black-americans-i-feel-that-i-m-a-hybrid-when-i-m/) [Kola Boof](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kola-boof/) > [I concentrate on the southern African subcontinent.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nigel-dennis/i-concentrate-on-the-southern-african-subcontinent/) [Nigel Dennis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nigel-dennis/) > ['Yo I'm from Africa' Boy you're just a faker. Name one city: 'Uhh, Jamaica!' Wrong! And I think that's a shame, An African look…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/king-sun/yo-i-m-from-africa-boy-you-re-just-a-faker-name-one-city-uhh-jamaica/) [King Sun](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/king-sun/) > [I am of an African-Jamaican descent.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/liz-mitchell/i-am-of-an-african-jamaican-descent/) [Liz Mitchell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/liz-mitchell/) > [When I was very little, I was into Michael Jackson. At six or seven, it was Madonna, but she's not what she used to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lykke-li/when-i-was-very-little-i-was-into-michael-jackson-at-six-or-seven-it/) [Lykke Li](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lykke-li/) > [Football is a personal interest which has been turned into a philanthropic initiative directed at encouraging social cohesion during the difficult process of African…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mohammed-hussein-al-amoudi/football-is-a-personal-interest-which-has-been-turned-into-a/) [Mohammed Hussein Al Amoudi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mohammed-hussein-al-amoudi/) > [But we've all ended up giving body and soul to Africa, one way or another. Even Adah, who's becoming an expert in tropical epidemiology…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barbara-kingsolver/but-we-ve-all-ended-up-giving-body-and-soul-to-africa-one-way-or/) [Barbara Kingsolver](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barbara-kingsolver/) > [African Queen' is pretty darn great.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-eggers/african-queen-is-pretty-darn-great/) [Robert Eggers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-eggers/) > [Most Americans know nothing about the African forest, and it seems to them a very scary, spooky dangerous place. I've spent a lot of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-quammen/most-americans-know-nothing-about-the-african-forest-and-it-seems-to/) [David Quammen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-quammen/) [Browse all 576 African quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/african/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "What makes Harlem special is that at any given time, food seekers can not only find food deeply rooted in Southern, Latin and African traditions, but also can taste the newer Senegalese, Chinese, and Italian influences as well.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Marcus Samuelsson" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcus-samuelsson/what-makes-harlem-special-is-that-at-any-given-time-food-seekers-can/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "African" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcus-samuelsson/what-makes-harlem-special-is-that-at-any-given-time-food-seekers-can/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4d0/marcus-samuelsson-1990_african_what-makes-harlem-special-is-that-at-any_2198674.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4d0/marcus-samuelsson-1990_african_what-makes-harlem-special-is-that-at-any_2198674.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4d0/marcus-samuelsson-1990_african_what-makes-harlem-special-is-that-at-any_2198674.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“What makes Harlem special is that at any given time, food seekers can not only find food deeply rooted in…” — Marcus Samuelsson", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Marcus Samuelsson", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcus-samuelsson/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "What makes Harlem special is that...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcus-samuelsson/what-makes-harlem-special-is-that-at-any-given-time-food-seekers-can/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcus-samuelsson/what-makes-harlem-special-is-that-at-any-given-time-food-seekers-can/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```