1 00:00:02,120 --> 00:00:04,720 Speaker 1: What's happics way up at Angela Yee. I'm Angela Yee 2 00:00:04,720 --> 00:00:07,000 Speaker 1: and I'm really excited today to have one of the 3 00:00:07,080 --> 00:00:11,080 Speaker 1: most renowned chefs literally in the world, Marcus Samuelson is here. 4 00:00:11,400 --> 00:00:13,960 Speaker 2: Thank you for having me. I am super excited to 5 00:00:14,000 --> 00:00:15,920 Speaker 2: be here on way up. I'm very excited. 6 00:00:15,960 --> 00:00:18,680 Speaker 1: Well, I'm excited because we got some amazing food just now, 7 00:00:18,800 --> 00:00:20,799 Speaker 1: so thank you so much. It's mac and cheese for 8 00:00:20,880 --> 00:00:24,480 Speaker 1: Cola Greens. It was some fried chicken had a honey flavor. 9 00:00:24,600 --> 00:00:25,799 Speaker 2: Yeah, yeah, yeah, definitely. 10 00:00:25,880 --> 00:00:26,760 Speaker 3: It's some corn bread. 11 00:00:26,880 --> 00:00:28,280 Speaker 2: Yeah, no, I had to throw it from you know, 12 00:00:28,360 --> 00:00:30,000 Speaker 2: red Rooster. You know, we came down a little bit 13 00:00:30,040 --> 00:00:33,040 Speaker 2: food for you. But you know, my goal is for 14 00:00:33,080 --> 00:00:34,959 Speaker 2: you to study fish. That's my next goal. 15 00:00:35,000 --> 00:00:35,480 Speaker 3: Oh my god. 16 00:00:36,120 --> 00:00:38,400 Speaker 1: I told Marcus, I've never had seafood in my life 17 00:00:38,440 --> 00:00:40,839 Speaker 1: except for cantuna fish. And I may have had like 18 00:00:40,880 --> 00:00:43,920 Speaker 1: some Gordon's frozen fish sticks at some point when I 19 00:00:43,960 --> 00:00:46,320 Speaker 1: was really really young, I know, but my mom doesn't 20 00:00:46,360 --> 00:00:50,240 Speaker 1: eat seafood, so it's just something that's a weird kind 21 00:00:50,240 --> 00:00:51,600 Speaker 1: of a taste to me. 22 00:00:51,840 --> 00:00:54,280 Speaker 3: But what would I start with? Would you say, I. 23 00:00:54,160 --> 00:00:59,280 Speaker 2: Think catfish salmon is really good. Those two would be 24 00:00:59,280 --> 00:01:02,080 Speaker 2: really good because they have probably the media's flavor, the 25 00:01:02,240 --> 00:01:04,679 Speaker 2: kind of closest. You know, A nice seared salmon would 26 00:01:04,680 --> 00:01:07,600 Speaker 2: be good. A beautiful fried cat, which would be really nice. People, 27 00:01:07,920 --> 00:01:08,600 Speaker 2: not a sandwich. 28 00:01:08,600 --> 00:01:10,360 Speaker 3: You know, I always ordered to lay in sea Bass. 29 00:01:10,440 --> 00:01:11,640 Speaker 3: I feel like because you go. 30 00:01:11,680 --> 00:01:17,200 Speaker 2: With a fancy you're from Brooklyn, like you nob with 31 00:01:17,280 --> 00:01:21,480 Speaker 2: the pod and everything with the black mesa. Well, how 32 00:01:21,520 --> 00:01:22,959 Speaker 2: about a catchfish sandwich? 33 00:01:23,120 --> 00:01:25,600 Speaker 1: Well, you know what, since I'm such a picky eater, Marcus, 34 00:01:25,640 --> 00:01:26,759 Speaker 1: what don't you eat? 35 00:01:27,560 --> 00:01:32,800 Speaker 2: Oh ah? As I said, yeah, like I'm actually I 36 00:01:32,840 --> 00:01:36,320 Speaker 2: have allergies. I'm allergic to buckwheat, so anything with buckweed 37 00:01:36,360 --> 00:01:37,039 Speaker 2: I just can't eat. 38 00:01:37,560 --> 00:01:38,600 Speaker 3: But what have buckweet in it? 39 00:01:38,680 --> 00:01:38,840 Speaker 4: Oh? 40 00:01:38,880 --> 00:01:42,360 Speaker 2: A lot of like breads or grains or like really 41 00:01:42,360 --> 00:01:45,080 Speaker 2: healthy stuff as buckwheat comes more from like Russia, poll 42 00:01:45,120 --> 00:01:47,680 Speaker 2: in that part of the world, and and it's I 43 00:01:47,720 --> 00:01:50,040 Speaker 2: think actually, as a chef ex actually in a weird way, 44 00:01:50,040 --> 00:01:52,400 Speaker 2: it's a blessing to have analogy because then you understand 45 00:01:52,440 --> 00:01:55,240 Speaker 2: when people come with a list, because it's not it's 46 00:01:55,240 --> 00:01:56,840 Speaker 2: not a complaint, it's not a preference. 47 00:01:57,880 --> 00:02:00,680 Speaker 3: Aleric, Yeah, sometimes I just lie and Sam alert to see. 48 00:02:00,520 --> 00:02:02,640 Speaker 1: You because I know people are always like, wait, you 49 00:02:02,640 --> 00:02:03,160 Speaker 1: don't need. 50 00:02:03,040 --> 00:02:05,560 Speaker 3: It, or I'm like I'm allergic because it's just easier. 51 00:02:05,760 --> 00:02:06,880 Speaker 2: Yeah, because people. 52 00:02:06,640 --> 00:02:09,080 Speaker 1: Think it's so weird. You know that I don't eat that, 53 00:02:09,160 --> 00:02:12,040 Speaker 1: But you came correct with them Red Rooster Food. I 54 00:02:12,080 --> 00:02:14,720 Speaker 1: actually went to Red Rooster in Harlem when it first opened. 55 00:02:14,720 --> 00:02:17,520 Speaker 1: I was with Michael Kaiser and that was like I 56 00:02:17,520 --> 00:02:19,600 Speaker 1: think it was the first week that it opened. And 57 00:02:19,760 --> 00:02:23,000 Speaker 1: since then, I mean, you know, you already wore explosive. 58 00:02:23,000 --> 00:02:25,120 Speaker 1: Everybody was like you got to get in. But it 59 00:02:25,200 --> 00:02:27,880 Speaker 1: has been NonStop. And first things first, I want to 60 00:02:27,880 --> 00:02:31,400 Speaker 1: talk about this Honeyland festival that is happening this weekend 61 00:02:31,480 --> 00:02:33,919 Speaker 1: that I am so excited to go to in Houston. 62 00:02:34,320 --> 00:02:36,359 Speaker 1: So tell us about how this even came about. 63 00:02:36,520 --> 00:02:41,960 Speaker 2: Yeah, I mean, i'mg came to us, come to my team. 64 00:02:42,120 --> 00:02:44,040 Speaker 2: It's like, we want to do this festival. They've been 65 00:02:44,080 --> 00:02:46,520 Speaker 2: watching what we've been doing with Hallowing it Up for years, 66 00:02:46,560 --> 00:02:48,440 Speaker 2: like Halling it Up is our food festival in Harlem 67 00:02:48,440 --> 00:02:51,600 Speaker 2: for eight years now, and so they came to us like, 68 00:02:51,720 --> 00:02:54,480 Speaker 2: we want to put something together that is very very 69 00:02:54,480 --> 00:02:59,120 Speaker 2: special that both honors black music. Therefore, you know Mary J. Blige, 70 00:02:59,240 --> 00:03:01,359 Speaker 2: mombe all all the amazing acts is going to be there. 71 00:03:01,360 --> 00:03:03,639 Speaker 3: A lot of Houston acts too, Yes, a lot of 72 00:03:03,720 --> 00:03:05,760 Speaker 3: whole Houston All Stars performance. 73 00:03:06,200 --> 00:03:08,160 Speaker 2: And then you know, asked us if we can be 74 00:03:08,360 --> 00:03:11,120 Speaker 2: partner and curate the food side. So we're like, yes, 75 00:03:11,200 --> 00:03:14,240 Speaker 2: this is amazing. And also to pick Houston as a city, 76 00:03:14,280 --> 00:03:16,600 Speaker 2: it's just such a it's such a special place. 77 00:03:16,639 --> 00:03:16,960 Speaker 4: It is. 78 00:03:17,120 --> 00:03:19,359 Speaker 2: First of all, it's the most diverse city in the country. 79 00:03:19,360 --> 00:03:20,320 Speaker 2: I don't think people even know. 80 00:03:20,400 --> 00:03:22,000 Speaker 3: I didn't even realize that, Okay. 81 00:03:22,480 --> 00:03:25,360 Speaker 2: And where we put it in Sugarland, which is actually 82 00:03:25,400 --> 00:03:29,480 Speaker 2: the highest, the biggest population of West Africans. You have 83 00:03:29,520 --> 00:03:33,800 Speaker 2: a lot of Nigerians, Canaians, like, it's a lot of 84 00:03:34,000 --> 00:03:36,080 Speaker 2: African vibes in sugar Land. So I just feel really 85 00:03:36,120 --> 00:03:39,040 Speaker 2: proud ask an African to be able to put it. 86 00:03:38,920 --> 00:03:42,520 Speaker 1: There, right because you were You're from Ethiopia but raised 87 00:03:42,560 --> 00:03:44,880 Speaker 1: in Sweden and then came over here. I want to 88 00:03:44,920 --> 00:03:47,760 Speaker 1: ask you about food. I remember one time I've been 89 00:03:47,800 --> 00:03:50,320 Speaker 1: to South Africa. I went to Johannesburg and the food 90 00:03:50,440 --> 00:03:52,640 Speaker 1: just tastes so different. And I think about the food 91 00:03:52,640 --> 00:03:54,560 Speaker 1: here that we have in the United States, and certain 92 00:03:54,600 --> 00:03:57,000 Speaker 1: things now that are getting banned that we should have 93 00:03:57,040 --> 00:03:58,560 Speaker 1: never been eating, and things that they don't eat in 94 00:03:58,640 --> 00:04:01,040 Speaker 1: other countries, know, and how we have to be really 95 00:04:01,080 --> 00:04:02,840 Speaker 1: conscious of what we're putting into our body. And I 96 00:04:02,880 --> 00:04:05,200 Speaker 1: remember going there and feeling like the food just tasted 97 00:04:05,720 --> 00:04:08,480 Speaker 1: so much fresher. You know, what's the difference that you 98 00:04:08,520 --> 00:04:11,240 Speaker 1: see from coming from Africa and then coming here to 99 00:04:11,280 --> 00:04:15,040 Speaker 1: the United States and the way that food may you know, 100 00:04:15,120 --> 00:04:16,680 Speaker 1: be prepared in certain ingredients. 101 00:04:16,680 --> 00:04:19,799 Speaker 2: Sure, I mean, I would say the biggest issues, especially 102 00:04:20,480 --> 00:04:23,600 Speaker 2: in for US, is that we have transfat in more 103 00:04:23,640 --> 00:04:25,000 Speaker 2: of a fast food, right. 104 00:04:25,200 --> 00:04:25,440 Speaker 4: So. 105 00:04:26,960 --> 00:04:29,360 Speaker 2: People eat road food or people are on the move 106 00:04:29,400 --> 00:04:31,080 Speaker 2: to go to work in all over the world, but 107 00:04:31,279 --> 00:04:33,000 Speaker 2: that is actually street food. 108 00:04:33,080 --> 00:04:33,840 Speaker 4: Street food is. 109 00:04:34,160 --> 00:04:38,080 Speaker 2: Is somebody's auntie's mom, dad cooking home bringing to the street. 110 00:04:38,440 --> 00:04:43,000 Speaker 2: That's fresh food. There's a difference between junk food and 111 00:04:43,080 --> 00:04:45,120 Speaker 2: street food. So what you eat very often when you're 112 00:04:45,160 --> 00:04:47,320 Speaker 2: on the go in other parts of the world is 113 00:04:47,520 --> 00:04:50,600 Speaker 2: home cooked food prepared on the street. What we or 114 00:04:50,839 --> 00:04:54,080 Speaker 2: we've traded sort of delicious nuts for convenience, right, So 115 00:04:54,200 --> 00:04:56,800 Speaker 2: trans fat, that's the biggest issue, that's one of our 116 00:04:56,800 --> 00:04:59,159 Speaker 2: biggest issues that we have in this country that the 117 00:04:59,200 --> 00:05:00,960 Speaker 2: majority of the world is not dealing with on the 118 00:05:00,960 --> 00:05:01,599 Speaker 2: same level. 119 00:05:01,839 --> 00:05:04,320 Speaker 1: Yeah, because you're very slim, and then shaite, I gotta ask, like, 120 00:05:04,360 --> 00:05:06,640 Speaker 1: do you taste all your food while you're you know, 121 00:05:06,640 --> 00:05:08,240 Speaker 1: because it looks like you got to work out all 122 00:05:08,279 --> 00:05:10,960 Speaker 1: the time. I can imagine when I'm cooking, which I 123 00:05:11,000 --> 00:05:13,680 Speaker 1: don't do all that often, but I'm always eating while 124 00:05:13,680 --> 00:05:16,000 Speaker 1: I'm cooking, and then by the time the food's already 125 00:05:16,120 --> 00:05:16,560 Speaker 1: I'm full. 126 00:05:17,160 --> 00:05:18,840 Speaker 2: No, I mean, you got you gotta work out. You 127 00:05:18,920 --> 00:05:20,640 Speaker 2: gotta work out, and I need to work it out 128 00:05:20,640 --> 00:05:23,239 Speaker 2: as a chef. Also, because being a chef is almost 129 00:05:23,240 --> 00:05:25,640 Speaker 2: like an athlete. You're tired. You got to prepare your 130 00:05:25,680 --> 00:05:27,520 Speaker 2: back for it, your stomach for it. So for me, 131 00:05:27,560 --> 00:05:29,840 Speaker 2: it's about working out, giving me peace of mind. It's 132 00:05:29,880 --> 00:05:32,160 Speaker 2: like the only time. Also I got two small kids, 133 00:05:32,160 --> 00:05:34,680 Speaker 2: it's the only time I'm by myself, right, But you 134 00:05:34,760 --> 00:05:36,760 Speaker 2: also have to prep for it in a sense of like, 135 00:05:37,200 --> 00:05:40,160 Speaker 2: you know, if I don't work out, my back is 136 00:05:40,160 --> 00:05:43,520 Speaker 2: not right. I got to stretched. It's almost like being 137 00:05:43,560 --> 00:05:45,560 Speaker 2: a being. It's like being an athlete, you know. 138 00:05:45,760 --> 00:05:49,800 Speaker 1: And everybody recognizes you obviously from having you know, television, 139 00:05:50,920 --> 00:05:54,800 Speaker 1: from winning competitions and then judging competitions. And having your 140 00:05:54,839 --> 00:05:57,400 Speaker 1: own programming. I want to talk to you about how 141 00:05:57,440 --> 00:05:59,800 Speaker 1: it is when you're in your restaurants. Obviously, people are 142 00:05:59,800 --> 00:06:01,680 Speaker 1: going to keep on coming up to you. Everybody wants 143 00:06:01,680 --> 00:06:02,880 Speaker 1: to talk to you, even on the street. 144 00:06:03,279 --> 00:06:04,880 Speaker 3: Everybody. And I remember you said. 145 00:06:04,760 --> 00:06:06,000 Speaker 1: People will come up to you and be like, I'm 146 00:06:06,040 --> 00:06:08,760 Speaker 1: adopted to and you know, have different things to say. 147 00:06:08,920 --> 00:06:11,760 Speaker 1: How do you balance being a personality, being you know, 148 00:06:11,800 --> 00:06:15,160 Speaker 1: an executive, being a business owner, having these different restaurants, 149 00:06:15,240 --> 00:06:17,680 Speaker 1: but also having to be the face of it and 150 00:06:17,720 --> 00:06:20,920 Speaker 1: people always talking to you. It kind of limits your privacy. 151 00:06:21,080 --> 00:06:22,960 Speaker 2: It does, but it's also a blessing, you know. And 152 00:06:23,480 --> 00:06:27,480 Speaker 2: I came here with two hundred bucks in my pocket, 153 00:06:27,800 --> 00:06:30,200 Speaker 2: and but I knew I could add value. I knew 154 00:06:30,200 --> 00:06:33,400 Speaker 2: it could work. And you know, I think as a 155 00:06:33,440 --> 00:06:35,159 Speaker 2: true New Yorker, you got to go through all the 156 00:06:35,160 --> 00:06:37,880 Speaker 2: different steps. And I love when people come up to 157 00:06:37,920 --> 00:06:41,000 Speaker 2: me to talk to me about their food or recipe 158 00:06:41,000 --> 00:06:44,520 Speaker 2: because they're sharing, sharing their personality. The only time I don't. 159 00:06:44,320 --> 00:06:46,760 Speaker 3: Like it is when I'm with my kids, example. 160 00:06:46,480 --> 00:06:48,600 Speaker 2: And people want pictures, but I'm like, you can take 161 00:06:48,640 --> 00:06:51,320 Speaker 2: a picture of me, but like my daughter is almost 162 00:06:51,320 --> 00:06:54,000 Speaker 2: two years old, Like she's she's a baby, like I 163 00:06:54,080 --> 00:06:57,560 Speaker 2: just don't want my son my pictures in any other 164 00:06:57,800 --> 00:07:01,160 Speaker 2: people's pictures. But other than that, it's it's also recognition 165 00:07:01,240 --> 00:07:02,880 Speaker 2: of the journey, you know what I mean. And people, 166 00:07:03,160 --> 00:07:07,200 Speaker 2: you know, chefs, people come to our restaurant and celebrate 167 00:07:07,279 --> 00:07:10,360 Speaker 2: the most intimate moment, maybe their first date, maybe they 168 00:07:10,400 --> 00:07:12,960 Speaker 2: got married, maybe they broke up, whatever it is. So 169 00:07:13,040 --> 00:07:15,480 Speaker 2: we're in people's lives. And when you have a restaurant 170 00:07:15,480 --> 00:07:19,640 Speaker 2: like Red Rooster, it's so public one to five. If 171 00:07:19,640 --> 00:07:22,280 Speaker 2: you don't like Tabadala with the public, don't put it 172 00:07:22,280 --> 00:07:26,040 Speaker 2: on one to five looks right, so you know. And 173 00:07:26,120 --> 00:07:29,760 Speaker 2: now we've evolved obviously with with Hamar and Metropolis, but 174 00:07:30,280 --> 00:07:33,200 Speaker 2: each restaurant is special, you know, ha Mar it's all 175 00:07:33,240 --> 00:07:34,560 Speaker 2: about women of color. 176 00:07:34,440 --> 00:07:35,000 Speaker 3: Right right. 177 00:07:35,200 --> 00:07:37,040 Speaker 1: And you hit me up as soon as you were 178 00:07:37,040 --> 00:07:40,080 Speaker 1: opening that restaurant and said, your staff and the executives 179 00:07:40,120 --> 00:07:42,560 Speaker 1: and the head chef, everybody women of color. 180 00:07:42,680 --> 00:07:46,160 Speaker 2: Yeah, but you you're actually that restaurant. We really thought 181 00:07:46,160 --> 00:07:48,600 Speaker 2: about the restaurant during the pandemic, during the time where 182 00:07:48,600 --> 00:07:51,120 Speaker 2: we like, are we going to come back? This restaurants 183 00:07:51,160 --> 00:07:53,040 Speaker 2: still matters when people come back. So I had a 184 00:07:53,080 --> 00:07:56,200 Speaker 2: little bit of a pause to really rethink what can 185 00:07:56,280 --> 00:07:59,160 Speaker 2: I do in the industry. I love my industry, but 186 00:07:59,200 --> 00:08:01,520 Speaker 2: it also has a lot of problem right in terms 187 00:08:01,600 --> 00:08:04,400 Speaker 2: of for us, for black people, but also for women 188 00:08:04,440 --> 00:08:08,520 Speaker 2: of color particularly. So I'm a leader. I can't stand 189 00:08:08,600 --> 00:08:10,520 Speaker 2: on the sideline said there's nothing I can. 190 00:08:10,560 --> 00:08:11,120 Speaker 4: Do about it. 191 00:08:11,200 --> 00:08:13,239 Speaker 2: I actually have a say. I have a big say, right, 192 00:08:13,360 --> 00:08:16,320 Speaker 2: so let's do something. So and I looked at other industries, 193 00:08:16,360 --> 00:08:18,960 Speaker 2: so I thought about people like yourself, Like, like a 194 00:08:19,000 --> 00:08:22,320 Speaker 2: lot of other industries that I have had similar problems, 195 00:08:22,360 --> 00:08:26,080 Speaker 2: but then they got role models like yourself. So for me, 196 00:08:26,120 --> 00:08:28,200 Speaker 2: it's really that energy that you put it put out 197 00:08:28,240 --> 00:08:32,040 Speaker 2: here every day. People see that that might not communicate 198 00:08:32,080 --> 00:08:34,920 Speaker 2: with you right away, but like you inspired me. And 199 00:08:35,160 --> 00:08:38,360 Speaker 2: you know the team Francelli that you met at Fariel, 200 00:08:38,440 --> 00:08:39,640 Speaker 2: they're amazing. 201 00:08:39,320 --> 00:08:41,880 Speaker 1: And we're so happy to meet them. And like the 202 00:08:41,920 --> 00:08:45,760 Speaker 1: way everything was so smoothly, like it's a beautiful, beautiful space, 203 00:08:46,280 --> 00:08:48,080 Speaker 1: you know, and the food was amazing. I actually had 204 00:08:48,120 --> 00:08:51,000 Speaker 1: a dinner there. Thank you to Rashida Jones, the president 205 00:08:51,040 --> 00:08:53,480 Speaker 1: of MSNBC. She was like, I want to host a 206 00:08:53,520 --> 00:08:54,840 Speaker 1: dinner for you. I was like, let's do what I 207 00:08:54,880 --> 00:08:56,520 Speaker 1: have mar and I hit you up and you were like, 208 00:08:56,600 --> 00:08:58,760 Speaker 1: all right, set it up and it was all women 209 00:08:58,920 --> 00:09:01,600 Speaker 1: and it was just an amazing experience to have that 210 00:09:01,640 --> 00:09:04,800 Speaker 1: group of women in that space. And I want, I 211 00:09:04,800 --> 00:09:06,719 Speaker 1: always want everybody to keep on going back to. 212 00:09:06,800 --> 00:09:08,520 Speaker 2: But I've also learned a lot, like how do we 213 00:09:08,559 --> 00:09:11,320 Speaker 2: problem solve? Like I think now as a leader, my 214 00:09:11,400 --> 00:09:13,520 Speaker 2: job is to set the table to the vision in 215 00:09:13,559 --> 00:09:16,679 Speaker 2: the direction, But then how do we evolve? How do 216 00:09:16,720 --> 00:09:18,880 Speaker 2: we how would you like to solve this? Like here's 217 00:09:18,880 --> 00:09:20,680 Speaker 2: an idea, but you guys got to drive this. So 218 00:09:20,760 --> 00:09:23,960 Speaker 2: it's I've learned a lot, And I think when you've arrived, 219 00:09:24,160 --> 00:09:26,440 Speaker 2: your whole point is like you have to open up 220 00:09:26,480 --> 00:09:28,720 Speaker 2: the door, kick up the door, and make the space 221 00:09:28,920 --> 00:09:32,080 Speaker 2: wider and normalize that. You know, we here, we're not 222 00:09:32,160 --> 00:09:35,560 Speaker 2: going anywhere, and you know what at all right, and 223 00:09:35,600 --> 00:09:37,640 Speaker 2: it's going to be more diverse. And this is an 224 00:09:37,679 --> 00:09:38,400 Speaker 2: example of that. 225 00:09:38,559 --> 00:09:41,120 Speaker 1: What have been some of your challenges in the restaurant business. 226 00:09:41,120 --> 00:09:43,520 Speaker 1: We all know that's one of the hardest industries to 227 00:09:43,600 --> 00:09:45,840 Speaker 1: be in. So for you and for people listening, because 228 00:09:45,840 --> 00:09:46,959 Speaker 1: there's people that are like, oh, I want to open 229 00:09:46,960 --> 00:09:48,480 Speaker 1: a restaurant, I want to do this what have been 230 00:09:48,520 --> 00:09:50,920 Speaker 1: some of your biggest challenges that you've had to overcome. 231 00:09:51,880 --> 00:09:54,520 Speaker 2: Well, I would start with, you know, the blessings of 232 00:09:54,600 --> 00:09:57,840 Speaker 2: being black and an immigrant is that you start every day. 233 00:09:58,320 --> 00:10:00,640 Speaker 2: It's a hustle like no, you got to go yeah, 234 00:10:00,880 --> 00:10:05,640 Speaker 2: And it's honestly, it's been I there's a lot of challenges, right. 235 00:10:06,000 --> 00:10:08,120 Speaker 2: It was hard to raise money the first time. It 236 00:10:08,200 --> 00:10:12,360 Speaker 2: was hard to just to evolve to get to this point, right, 237 00:10:12,880 --> 00:10:16,880 Speaker 2: But I think I have no I'm not a position 238 00:10:16,920 --> 00:10:19,640 Speaker 2: to complain. I have a lot of gratitude and I 239 00:10:19,760 --> 00:10:22,839 Speaker 2: know that all I have to do is to work 240 00:10:23,160 --> 00:10:27,640 Speaker 2: and inspire and really have a solid idea. And you know, 241 00:10:27,720 --> 00:10:31,000 Speaker 2: I love I love the industry, I love my people. 242 00:10:31,120 --> 00:10:33,840 Speaker 2: It's not an easy business, but like what is easy, 243 00:10:33,920 --> 00:10:36,480 Speaker 2: Like nothing. I've been able to have a dialar with 244 00:10:36,480 --> 00:10:39,400 Speaker 2: the public in New York as a creative for over 245 00:10:39,559 --> 00:10:41,920 Speaker 2: you know, twenty five years. You can't complain if you 246 00:10:41,960 --> 00:10:42,200 Speaker 2: had that. 247 00:10:42,679 --> 00:10:44,840 Speaker 3: That's an amazing journey. 248 00:10:45,280 --> 00:10:47,800 Speaker 1: And you know, honestly, we had a whole conversation and 249 00:10:47,840 --> 00:10:50,320 Speaker 1: this was years ago, and I'll never forget you talking 250 00:10:50,360 --> 00:10:55,800 Speaker 1: about this. Just being able to retain great employees, because 251 00:10:55,840 --> 00:10:57,800 Speaker 1: that's a challenge that a lot of people do have 252 00:10:58,200 --> 00:11:00,200 Speaker 1: in this business. It's a challenge I've had with my 253 00:11:00,280 --> 00:11:03,400 Speaker 1: small businesses where you might get excited about someone, but 254 00:11:03,480 --> 00:11:05,840 Speaker 1: then you know they go off and they end up 255 00:11:05,880 --> 00:11:09,000 Speaker 1: going to work somewhere else and giving people incentives to 256 00:11:09,040 --> 00:11:10,599 Speaker 1: want to stay. So, what are some things that you 257 00:11:10,720 --> 00:11:14,719 Speaker 1: do that people really tend to want to long term. 258 00:11:14,960 --> 00:11:16,560 Speaker 3: Work with the Marcus Samuelson Group. 259 00:11:16,640 --> 00:11:18,679 Speaker 2: Well, the whole point that you got to build a 260 00:11:18,760 --> 00:11:21,960 Speaker 2: vision and a mission that is not about you. You 261 00:11:22,000 --> 00:11:25,679 Speaker 2: can set the table, but how do you bring smart, energetic, 262 00:11:26,080 --> 00:11:28,320 Speaker 2: passionate people along with the journey. So you got to 263 00:11:28,360 --> 00:11:31,319 Speaker 2: do exciting projects. Some of them they can share on this, 264 00:11:31,679 --> 00:11:35,120 Speaker 2: you know, whether it's a financial success or whether it's 265 00:11:35,120 --> 00:11:37,720 Speaker 2: something that they need on you know, on their resume 266 00:11:37,760 --> 00:11:39,960 Speaker 2: for example. So we do these festivals that I do 267 00:11:40,080 --> 00:11:43,560 Speaker 2: with my team. It's not my festival, it's the festivals 268 00:11:43,559 --> 00:11:46,600 Speaker 2: of the team. So those are things that people they 269 00:11:46,640 --> 00:11:49,360 Speaker 2: work hard, we work hard, but it's also fun stuff 270 00:11:49,400 --> 00:11:52,480 Speaker 2: that is in and of the community that they come from. Right, 271 00:11:52,559 --> 00:11:54,559 Speaker 2: Like Angela, she's from Houston. She worked me for a 272 00:11:54,600 --> 00:11:57,360 Speaker 2: long time. The festival is going to be in Houston, right, She. 273 00:11:57,320 --> 00:11:58,320 Speaker 3: Was ready to go to Houston. 274 00:11:58,440 --> 00:12:02,600 Speaker 2: Yeah, make it a yeah, but we do, and we 275 00:12:02,640 --> 00:12:04,800 Speaker 2: do these events where it's like hallowing it up. It's 276 00:12:05,040 --> 00:12:08,600 Speaker 2: completely in the community for the community. And so if 277 00:12:08,640 --> 00:12:10,200 Speaker 2: you grew up in Harlem or if you're in that 278 00:12:10,559 --> 00:12:12,800 Speaker 2: in that part of if you're uptown or from from 279 00:12:12,840 --> 00:12:13,760 Speaker 2: from the Bronx. 280 00:12:13,559 --> 00:12:14,480 Speaker 4: This is your community. 281 00:12:14,480 --> 00:12:16,960 Speaker 2: So you're excited about it. So you know, I'm a 282 00:12:17,040 --> 00:12:20,840 Speaker 2: chef a beautiful restaurant. That's one part. Everybody can participate 283 00:12:20,880 --> 00:12:23,600 Speaker 2: in that. But the other side of the content I can't. 284 00:12:23,800 --> 00:12:25,520 Speaker 2: You know, in the content side, if you want to 285 00:12:25,559 --> 00:12:27,679 Speaker 2: make books, we max books. Okay, what position do you 286 00:12:27,720 --> 00:12:30,200 Speaker 2: want to have? Okay, this is we're gonna here's the 287 00:12:30,320 --> 00:12:32,160 Speaker 2: vision of the past we have for that. So it's 288 00:12:32,200 --> 00:12:35,320 Speaker 2: a leader. You really got a multitask, except the vision 289 00:12:35,360 --> 00:12:38,040 Speaker 2: that other people can really take part of, both from 290 00:12:38,040 --> 00:12:40,400 Speaker 2: a monetary side but also from a creative side. 291 00:12:40,480 --> 00:12:42,400 Speaker 1: Right now, that is exciting for people to know that 292 00:12:42,440 --> 00:12:46,040 Speaker 1: they can come to uh, you know, executive leadership or 293 00:12:46,160 --> 00:12:49,120 Speaker 1: be executive leadership, but also come with ideas and then 294 00:12:49,120 --> 00:12:51,600 Speaker 1: see their ideas get implemented. And that's something that you 295 00:12:51,679 --> 00:12:54,080 Speaker 1: have under your belt, you know, because it does hurt, 296 00:12:54,120 --> 00:12:56,079 Speaker 1: like we've had. You know, we had an amazing manager 297 00:12:56,120 --> 00:12:58,600 Speaker 1: and then she ended up leaving. You know, it's just 298 00:12:58,640 --> 00:13:00,880 Speaker 1: really hard when those things happen. You become a family, 299 00:13:00,920 --> 00:13:02,360 Speaker 1: but you also wish people well. 300 00:13:02,600 --> 00:13:05,280 Speaker 2: But she let her ago because she might come back. 301 00:13:05,559 --> 00:13:07,760 Speaker 2: She's not always greener over there all the time, you know, 302 00:13:08,120 --> 00:13:10,400 Speaker 2: and she's gonna she's gonna be your ambassador over there. 303 00:13:10,400 --> 00:13:13,280 Speaker 2: It's like, you know what, we started this and it 304 00:13:13,440 --> 00:13:15,640 Speaker 2: always looks greener right on the other side, right, but 305 00:13:15,720 --> 00:13:17,400 Speaker 2: then let them come back. That happens to a lot 306 00:13:17,400 --> 00:13:20,280 Speaker 2: of rooster. People want to leave and I'm like, oh yeah, 307 00:13:20,360 --> 00:13:22,720 Speaker 2: and some come back, some don't. But at least I 308 00:13:22,880 --> 00:13:25,880 Speaker 2: know if we provide the space, we only do the 309 00:13:25,880 --> 00:13:28,880 Speaker 2: best we can. And you know, like our restaurants also 310 00:13:28,920 --> 00:13:32,680 Speaker 2: not just about food and hospitality, it's also about music scene. 311 00:13:32,720 --> 00:13:35,760 Speaker 1: It's a it's a vibe. When you go in there, 312 00:13:35,760 --> 00:13:37,959 Speaker 1: you're like, okay, I'm not leaving. But that's our too, 313 00:13:38,000 --> 00:13:39,560 Speaker 1: because then you're like, Okay, we got to give a 314 00:13:39,600 --> 00:13:42,040 Speaker 1: limit because we need to let more people come in. 315 00:13:42,440 --> 00:13:44,520 Speaker 3: And I want to talk to you about this that 316 00:13:44,600 --> 00:13:45,080 Speaker 3: went viral. 317 00:13:45,160 --> 00:13:47,840 Speaker 1: Keith Lee, he's a food critic and he was in Atlanta, 318 00:13:47,840 --> 00:13:51,960 Speaker 1: and he was visiting different restaurants and he wants to 319 00:13:51,960 --> 00:13:54,560 Speaker 1: go to a restaurant, not as a celebrity or somebody 320 00:13:54,559 --> 00:13:56,560 Speaker 1: who's known, but just as a regular person and see 321 00:13:56,559 --> 00:13:58,600 Speaker 1: how he gets treated. But then when people see that 322 00:13:58,640 --> 00:14:00,720 Speaker 1: it's him, they're like, oh, we can't kind we can't 323 00:14:00,720 --> 00:14:02,880 Speaker 1: get you this table right away, we can't give you 324 00:14:02,920 --> 00:14:05,320 Speaker 1: this to go, And so he didn't like that about 325 00:14:05,360 --> 00:14:07,319 Speaker 1: so he won't go in there if he's not treated 326 00:14:07,600 --> 00:14:08,600 Speaker 1: that way from the beginning. 327 00:14:08,840 --> 00:14:10,839 Speaker 3: But a lot of these restaurants. 328 00:14:10,200 --> 00:14:12,679 Speaker 1: That are overly booked that are hard to get a reservation, 329 00:14:12,720 --> 00:14:16,360 Speaker 1: and they do make accommodations for people who are are 330 00:14:16,440 --> 00:14:18,920 Speaker 1: well known. What are your thoughts about that, because some 331 00:14:18,960 --> 00:14:21,400 Speaker 1: people think that that's the wrong thing to do. But 332 00:14:21,440 --> 00:14:24,960 Speaker 1: then I also understand as a restaurant owner, you want 333 00:14:24,960 --> 00:14:27,200 Speaker 1: to make sure that you are getting that type of 334 00:14:27,680 --> 00:14:30,040 Speaker 1: viral you know, where somebody might come in who has 335 00:14:30,080 --> 00:14:32,080 Speaker 1: a huge following and post it and that does help 336 00:14:32,120 --> 00:14:32,640 Speaker 1: the business. 337 00:14:33,160 --> 00:14:36,000 Speaker 2: No, it's super layered and complex, right, But you know, 338 00:14:36,520 --> 00:14:39,720 Speaker 2: a VIP there's many reasons why someone is we sometimes 339 00:14:39,720 --> 00:14:43,680 Speaker 2: we call px VIP, but sometimes it's also pure about safety. 340 00:14:43,840 --> 00:14:45,840 Speaker 2: In all our restaurants, we have a side or who 341 00:14:45,840 --> 00:14:48,480 Speaker 2: we can let people in and out because it's about 342 00:14:48,480 --> 00:14:50,840 Speaker 2: safety when we've hosted from the President of the United 343 00:14:50,880 --> 00:14:55,080 Speaker 2: States to like, if you're major, major, major celebrity, you 344 00:14:55,280 --> 00:14:58,000 Speaker 2: have to create a safe space for that person, and 345 00:14:58,040 --> 00:15:01,400 Speaker 2: it's very hard for somebody else treating them differently. It's 346 00:15:01,440 --> 00:15:04,760 Speaker 2: all about safety, you know. And and it's it's it's 347 00:15:05,040 --> 00:15:08,160 Speaker 2: so that treatment is actually necessary for certain times, do 348 00:15:08,160 --> 00:15:08,640 Speaker 2: you know what I mean? 349 00:15:08,880 --> 00:15:10,280 Speaker 3: And I'd be like, why are that president of Barack 350 00:15:10,320 --> 00:15:11,240 Speaker 3: Obama say here? 351 00:15:11,360 --> 00:15:13,880 Speaker 4: I was waiting, But so part of. 352 00:15:13,880 --> 00:15:16,160 Speaker 2: It is that, and I know, I mean, it is 353 00:15:16,680 --> 00:15:22,000 Speaker 2: it is reviewing a restaurant. It's it's it's very important 354 00:15:22,040 --> 00:15:25,600 Speaker 2: because for that family, it's their only business most of 355 00:15:25,640 --> 00:15:27,320 Speaker 2: the time, so they need they want to get a 356 00:15:27,320 --> 00:15:30,880 Speaker 2: good review. Yes, training hospitality is super hard, right because 357 00:15:30,880 --> 00:15:32,720 Speaker 2: it's a daily thing. It's not a system that you 358 00:15:32,760 --> 00:15:33,840 Speaker 2: can just press play, and. 359 00:15:33,800 --> 00:15:36,280 Speaker 1: Sometimes you can't help how people act that. 360 00:15:36,360 --> 00:15:39,040 Speaker 3: Day to system of your customers. 361 00:15:39,160 --> 00:15:42,080 Speaker 2: But you know, I think I also feel bad for 362 00:15:42,160 --> 00:15:44,560 Speaker 2: him because now he's getting I don't want anyone to 363 00:15:44,600 --> 00:15:47,760 Speaker 2: get death threats or anything like that, you know. I 364 00:15:47,800 --> 00:15:50,640 Speaker 2: think actually his intention was actually pure and right, and 365 00:15:50,680 --> 00:15:53,880 Speaker 2: then it got left. And you know, I love that 366 00:15:53,920 --> 00:15:56,400 Speaker 2: we are passionate and we get involved and we get 367 00:15:56,400 --> 00:15:59,360 Speaker 2: excited about that. But then also, no one should get 368 00:15:59,360 --> 00:16:02,440 Speaker 2: death threats. They should bet it's only you know, we 369 00:16:02,520 --> 00:16:04,400 Speaker 2: have to put a limit to it, because I do 370 00:16:04,440 --> 00:16:08,080 Speaker 2: think his intention was actually to share what these restaurants 371 00:16:08,120 --> 00:16:13,160 Speaker 2: are doing. I know we work really really hard on hospitality, 372 00:16:13,200 --> 00:16:15,320 Speaker 2: and I know the guys that Toast they work really 373 00:16:15,360 --> 00:16:20,320 Speaker 2: really hard on hospitality something and sometimes yeah, Virgil, of course, 374 00:16:20,360 --> 00:16:23,200 Speaker 2: and sometimes it can go wrong anyway, right, but I 375 00:16:23,240 --> 00:16:27,040 Speaker 2: know Virgils and the team, their intention is really really good. 376 00:16:27,080 --> 00:16:29,560 Speaker 2: And they got two beautiful restaurants in Atlanta. They're doing 377 00:16:29,600 --> 00:16:30,240 Speaker 2: brunch all day. 378 00:16:30,320 --> 00:16:30,560 Speaker 3: Listen. 379 00:16:30,640 --> 00:16:32,440 Speaker 1: I go to Toast every time I'm in Atlanta. I 380 00:16:32,440 --> 00:16:34,280 Speaker 1: book my flight when i'm leaving purposely. 381 00:16:34,400 --> 00:16:36,480 Speaker 4: Oh that's why you don't call my spot in Atlanta 382 00:16:36,520 --> 00:16:36,760 Speaker 4: to b. 383 00:16:36,760 --> 00:16:39,400 Speaker 3: And I'll be there in December. 384 00:16:39,480 --> 00:16:41,880 Speaker 2: Okay, cool, we're in the forest board no, But I 385 00:16:41,880 --> 00:16:44,120 Speaker 2: mean I can see it from both ways, right, But 386 00:16:44,760 --> 00:16:46,840 Speaker 2: I love that we get passionate about something, but then 387 00:16:46,880 --> 00:16:49,120 Speaker 2: we also have to stop because especially the world is 388 00:16:49,200 --> 00:16:53,080 Speaker 2: crazy right now, right, so he can go this thread, 389 00:16:53,360 --> 00:16:54,880 Speaker 2: it's not just it's not a joke. 390 00:16:54,760 --> 00:16:56,040 Speaker 3: That's all you got it. 391 00:16:56,120 --> 00:16:58,040 Speaker 1: You never know when it's really when it's not. You 392 00:16:58,040 --> 00:17:00,200 Speaker 1: can say it's just people saying something crazy online, but 393 00:17:00,240 --> 00:17:00,680 Speaker 1: you don't know. 394 00:17:01,200 --> 00:17:02,280 Speaker 3: And another thing I want to. 395 00:17:02,240 --> 00:17:05,119 Speaker 1: Talk about is black owned businesses and black owned restaurants. 396 00:17:05,119 --> 00:17:08,040 Speaker 1: I saw this conversation on social media about how black 397 00:17:08,119 --> 00:17:10,679 Speaker 1: restaurants don't treat you good, Black owned businesses don't have 398 00:17:10,760 --> 00:17:13,880 Speaker 1: good service, And I think that's a terrible myth that 399 00:17:13,960 --> 00:17:16,960 Speaker 1: people put out there because it's already hard enough, when 400 00:17:17,680 --> 00:17:20,400 Speaker 1: you know, to get access to capital, to make sure 401 00:17:20,400 --> 00:17:22,520 Speaker 1: that people know about it, to have people come and support. 402 00:17:22,720 --> 00:17:24,880 Speaker 1: But then when you have people saying, oh, black owned businesses, 403 00:17:24,920 --> 00:17:26,160 Speaker 1: they don't do this, they don't do that. 404 00:17:26,720 --> 00:17:27,920 Speaker 3: What are your thoughts about that? 405 00:17:28,080 --> 00:17:30,520 Speaker 2: And I don't agree with that at all. I think 406 00:17:30,640 --> 00:17:33,200 Speaker 2: some of the most inspiring inspirational stories in the world 407 00:17:33,240 --> 00:17:35,919 Speaker 2: of black owned businesses and hospitality. You know, when my 408 00:17:36,080 --> 00:17:39,280 Speaker 2: mentor Rest in Peace, Miss Leah Chase Dukie Chase in 409 00:17:39,840 --> 00:17:42,800 Speaker 2: New Orleans, their restaurant will start in the forties. It's 410 00:17:42,800 --> 00:17:46,159 Speaker 2: the first integrated restaurant in America. They're still crushing it 411 00:17:46,240 --> 00:17:50,880 Speaker 2: eight years later. My neighbor is Silvia's the Woods family, right, 412 00:17:51,480 --> 00:17:54,400 Speaker 2: iconic sixty three years and sixty ten years, so they're 413 00:17:54,400 --> 00:17:58,840 Speaker 2: not going anywhere. So again, it's almost like the conversation 414 00:17:59,000 --> 00:18:01,200 Speaker 2: you have at the block party. And we are hard 415 00:18:01,240 --> 00:18:04,679 Speaker 2: on each other as a community sometime for fun, and 416 00:18:04,720 --> 00:18:08,359 Speaker 2: that's who we are. But you just brought up some 417 00:18:08,520 --> 00:18:11,639 Speaker 2: very important things. It is harder for black owned business 418 00:18:11,720 --> 00:18:16,720 Speaker 2: to get access to capital. So therefore hospitality is so 419 00:18:16,800 --> 00:18:20,240 Speaker 2: much about training and having access and and and we 420 00:18:20,320 --> 00:18:24,200 Speaker 2: got to give ourselves forgiveness because I know the intention 421 00:18:24,320 --> 00:18:26,639 Speaker 2: with the family that opens a restaurant, they do that 422 00:18:26,720 --> 00:18:30,440 Speaker 2: because they want to share their cusine or their culture. 423 00:18:31,320 --> 00:18:33,199 Speaker 2: Money is part of it, but it's probably one of. 424 00:18:33,200 --> 00:18:38,080 Speaker 1: The last exactly years and years. 425 00:18:38,080 --> 00:18:40,360 Speaker 3: If you ever see your profit, it's a lot of work. 426 00:18:40,480 --> 00:18:43,280 Speaker 2: Yeah, so i'd also some of these missing you just 427 00:18:43,320 --> 00:18:45,239 Speaker 2: need to stop because it's not true. We have a 428 00:18:45,280 --> 00:18:48,200 Speaker 2: different sense. One of the things that I learned about, 429 00:18:48,359 --> 00:18:51,399 Speaker 2: you know, our restaurants, they're very similar to black church, 430 00:18:51,560 --> 00:18:54,960 Speaker 2: and I love that because everybody is invited to church, 431 00:18:55,480 --> 00:18:58,240 Speaker 2: and somebody from one neighborhood can sit next to another 432 00:18:58,280 --> 00:19:00,600 Speaker 2: person from a different neighborhood, but we all enchourch that's 433 00:19:00,600 --> 00:19:02,119 Speaker 2: how I look at Red Rooster. That's a look at 434 00:19:02,160 --> 00:19:05,680 Speaker 2: how Mark. It's it's true diversity. We're not monolithic in. 435 00:19:05,600 --> 00:19:06,720 Speaker 3: Our experiences at all. 436 00:19:07,359 --> 00:19:09,959 Speaker 1: And listen, can we talk about the new restaurant Metropolis. 437 00:19:10,040 --> 00:19:13,199 Speaker 1: Yesolis So, because like you didn't even tell me about this. 438 00:19:13,240 --> 00:19:15,639 Speaker 1: I happen to read about it all right, because it's 439 00:19:15,680 --> 00:19:18,160 Speaker 1: been all over Like you know, every day I'm looking 440 00:19:18,160 --> 00:19:20,240 Speaker 1: at the news and watching what's happening. I'm like, oh, 441 00:19:20,240 --> 00:19:22,439 Speaker 1: markets are but a new restaurant, So can you tell 442 00:19:22,520 --> 00:19:22,879 Speaker 1: us about this? 443 00:19:22,920 --> 00:19:24,960 Speaker 3: Because it's not just a restaurant, it's an experience. 444 00:19:26,160 --> 00:19:30,520 Speaker 2: You know, life just sometimes come full circle. Right when 445 00:19:30,640 --> 00:19:32,440 Speaker 2: nine to eleven happened, I was a young chef. 446 00:19:32,240 --> 00:19:34,119 Speaker 4: In New York I. 447 00:19:34,240 --> 00:19:36,960 Speaker 2: A week before nine to eleven, I cooked in the 448 00:19:37,000 --> 00:19:41,600 Speaker 2: towers from my charity organization, SEECAP, and I knew a 449 00:19:41,600 --> 00:19:45,639 Speaker 2: lot of those chefs and hospitality work as that past. So, 450 00:19:46,400 --> 00:19:49,560 Speaker 2: you know, so twenty years later to be back on 451 00:19:49,600 --> 00:19:54,120 Speaker 2: the site, to be part of Metropolis and the program 452 00:19:54,119 --> 00:19:58,760 Speaker 2: Performing Arts Center, it's it's one of the most humbling 453 00:19:58,880 --> 00:20:02,000 Speaker 2: but also one of the most important thing I've ever 454 00:20:02,040 --> 00:20:04,520 Speaker 2: been part of. So our restaurant is inside the pack center. 455 00:20:04,560 --> 00:20:07,760 Speaker 2: It's called Metropolis, which kind of means mother city of Culture. 456 00:20:07,840 --> 00:20:08,960 Speaker 2: I wanted a big name. 457 00:20:09,200 --> 00:20:09,840 Speaker 3: Yeah that's a big. 458 00:20:11,880 --> 00:20:15,160 Speaker 2: And yeah we just started last week. Right now, we're 459 00:20:15,240 --> 00:20:17,720 Speaker 2: from dinner and then it's going to be dinner, breakfast, 460 00:20:17,800 --> 00:20:20,240 Speaker 2: and lunch. You can do your power breakfast down there. 461 00:20:20,280 --> 00:20:22,399 Speaker 1: You know, you know, you know I will be because 462 00:20:22,400 --> 00:20:25,000 Speaker 1: my podcast is right around here too, So I feel 463 00:20:25,000 --> 00:20:25,439 Speaker 1: like that's. 464 00:20:25,280 --> 00:20:26,240 Speaker 3: Going to be my new spot. 465 00:20:26,320 --> 00:20:28,720 Speaker 2: And it's so much fun because it's also around the arts. 466 00:20:28,800 --> 00:20:31,840 Speaker 2: Right now, bill Ty Jones is having his incredible performance 467 00:20:31,880 --> 00:20:35,159 Speaker 2: down there, but you know that's where Jada did a 468 00:20:35,160 --> 00:20:37,879 Speaker 2: book signing. So it's like it's a place where we 469 00:20:38,000 --> 00:20:39,840 Speaker 2: can come. If you launch something, you can do it 470 00:20:39,880 --> 00:20:42,000 Speaker 2: on that stage, you know what I mean. And so 471 00:20:42,040 --> 00:20:45,280 Speaker 2: it's I love New York and culture and to have 472 00:20:45,359 --> 00:20:48,080 Speaker 2: a restaurant and center of that, it's it's it's such 473 00:20:48,080 --> 00:20:48,520 Speaker 2: a blessing. 474 00:20:48,560 --> 00:20:51,760 Speaker 1: Feels like the one year Way Up anniversary party. Yeah 475 00:20:51,840 --> 00:20:52,640 Speaker 1: that Metropolis. 476 00:20:52,880 --> 00:20:55,159 Speaker 4: Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, can we. 477 00:20:55,160 --> 00:20:57,200 Speaker 1: Get back to Honeyland for a second because I want 478 00:20:57,240 --> 00:20:59,920 Speaker 1: you to. So they came to you to curate this event, 479 00:21:00,080 --> 00:21:03,639 Speaker 1: this festival, right, and so how did you so the 480 00:21:03,760 --> 00:21:04,320 Speaker 1: music part? 481 00:21:04,560 --> 00:21:06,520 Speaker 3: They kind of handled, but you handled more. 482 00:21:06,760 --> 00:21:08,240 Speaker 2: The food food experiences. 483 00:21:08,359 --> 00:21:10,160 Speaker 3: I'll be there by the way, just for you guys. 484 00:21:10,359 --> 00:21:12,080 Speaker 4: Know, you're definitely you and one of the fro. 485 00:21:13,960 --> 00:21:16,359 Speaker 3: I was excited and I'll be on stage with Tabitha Brown. 486 00:21:16,880 --> 00:21:18,480 Speaker 3: By the way. I've never met her in person. 487 00:21:18,520 --> 00:21:20,000 Speaker 4: It's amazing, So I was. 488 00:21:20,080 --> 00:21:22,280 Speaker 3: She's incredible, thrilled to be able to do that. 489 00:21:23,320 --> 00:21:25,200 Speaker 1: Yeah, it's definitely an honor for me to be able 490 00:21:25,200 --> 00:21:28,160 Speaker 1: to going to be there. Yeah, and Calise and people 491 00:21:28,280 --> 00:21:30,520 Speaker 1: always talk about like how amazing she is when it 492 00:21:30,600 --> 00:21:32,000 Speaker 1: comes to and. 493 00:21:31,960 --> 00:21:33,080 Speaker 4: You know, she grew up in Indu. 494 00:21:33,240 --> 00:21:34,760 Speaker 2: Her mom was a caterer, a farm. 495 00:21:34,880 --> 00:21:35,680 Speaker 3: She lives on a farm. 496 00:21:35,880 --> 00:21:36,480 Speaker 4: Yeah. 497 00:21:36,560 --> 00:21:39,080 Speaker 2: Yeah, she's going to be there, and so many some 498 00:21:39,119 --> 00:21:41,600 Speaker 2: of the best Houston you know, so many Texas chef's 499 00:21:41,600 --> 00:21:43,320 Speaker 2: going to be there. And that was important for us 500 00:21:43,359 --> 00:21:46,600 Speaker 2: to really have local chefs. You know, Don Barrell she's 501 00:21:46,600 --> 00:21:50,159 Speaker 2: an amazing chef from Houston. Shout out to Don Barrells. 502 00:21:50,720 --> 00:21:55,840 Speaker 2: She's like she was in the Olympics, right runner amazing. 503 00:21:56,520 --> 00:21:59,200 Speaker 2: Then her second career is you know, being being a 504 00:21:59,280 --> 00:22:01,240 Speaker 2: chef and she was on top chef and she's a 505 00:22:01,240 --> 00:22:03,240 Speaker 2: dear friend of mine and you know, She's just amazing. 506 00:22:03,440 --> 00:22:05,240 Speaker 1: All right now, I want to ask you some etiquette questions. 507 00:22:05,320 --> 00:22:07,840 Speaker 1: M M, when do you send your food back? 508 00:22:09,080 --> 00:22:13,400 Speaker 2: I don't never, I don't, I don't. I just it's 509 00:22:13,400 --> 00:22:14,520 Speaker 2: the chef in me. I don't. 510 00:22:15,560 --> 00:22:17,280 Speaker 4: I know what that person goes through. 511 00:22:17,359 --> 00:22:17,800 Speaker 2: I don't. 512 00:22:18,200 --> 00:22:19,679 Speaker 4: I'm not the right person to ash with it. 513 00:22:19,760 --> 00:22:23,679 Speaker 1: My wife does know, she does, all right, because I 514 00:22:23,760 --> 00:22:26,320 Speaker 1: barely ever do that. It has to be like really really, 515 00:22:26,359 --> 00:22:29,040 Speaker 1: and I'm very apologetic, you know every time that I 516 00:22:29,080 --> 00:22:29,359 Speaker 1: do that. 517 00:22:29,680 --> 00:22:30,280 Speaker 3: All right? Now? 518 00:22:30,359 --> 00:22:33,280 Speaker 1: Is it okay when people are ordering in a restaurant 519 00:22:33,400 --> 00:22:36,320 Speaker 1: and before the food even comes, uh, they ask for 520 00:22:36,400 --> 00:22:38,399 Speaker 1: all different kinds of sauces even though they haven't tasted 521 00:22:38,440 --> 00:22:39,720 Speaker 1: it yet, Like, can I get had? 522 00:22:39,840 --> 00:22:40,200 Speaker 4: I think? 523 00:22:40,280 --> 00:22:42,720 Speaker 2: I think the whole point of going out is one 524 00:22:42,760 --> 00:22:45,119 Speaker 2: part you want to experience something different. But if you 525 00:22:45,359 --> 00:22:47,320 Speaker 2: if you're comfortable with that, have it. 526 00:22:47,520 --> 00:22:48,600 Speaker 4: Have the sauces come. 527 00:22:48,480 --> 00:22:51,439 Speaker 2: In, but try the dish as the chef wanted do 528 00:22:51,560 --> 00:22:54,080 Speaker 2: to be tried. You can't just I'm going to eat 529 00:22:54,080 --> 00:22:55,480 Speaker 2: the dish the way I eat it at home. 530 00:22:55,600 --> 00:22:58,199 Speaker 4: No, you're out just supposed to have that experience. 531 00:22:58,240 --> 00:23:01,840 Speaker 2: You don't have to put ketchup on, you know, it's 532 00:23:01,880 --> 00:23:03,640 Speaker 2: not something that needs to happen. 533 00:23:04,320 --> 00:23:04,600 Speaker 4: You know. 534 00:23:05,200 --> 00:23:06,840 Speaker 3: All right, what about to go orders? 535 00:23:06,880 --> 00:23:09,800 Speaker 1: Okay, now I've heard chefs say that a certain restaurants say, 536 00:23:09,880 --> 00:23:11,920 Speaker 1: do not do to Go because it tastes so different 537 00:23:12,240 --> 00:23:13,960 Speaker 1: when it leaves a restaurant and goes home. 538 00:23:13,960 --> 00:23:15,120 Speaker 3: What are your thoughts on to go? 539 00:23:15,840 --> 00:23:16,080 Speaker 4: You know? 540 00:23:16,480 --> 00:23:18,639 Speaker 2: The pandemic, right, it taught us we have to pivot. 541 00:23:18,760 --> 00:23:20,399 Speaker 2: I did not want to do to Go for a 542 00:23:20,400 --> 00:23:22,840 Speaker 2: long time and restore because when you you know, something 543 00:23:22,880 --> 00:23:25,400 Speaker 2: like chick can or lawfully needs to it can't get moist, 544 00:23:25,480 --> 00:23:28,400 Speaker 2: it's not crispy anymore. But we pivoted and people actually 545 00:23:28,720 --> 00:23:31,280 Speaker 2: then we open it to go side of Red Rooster, right, 546 00:23:31,359 --> 00:23:33,200 Speaker 2: So you know I I was wrong. 547 00:23:33,400 --> 00:23:33,959 Speaker 4: It worked. 548 00:23:34,000 --> 00:23:35,520 Speaker 3: I've definitely done some to Go. 549 00:23:35,640 --> 00:23:36,560 Speaker 4: Yeah, yeah, we. 550 00:23:36,560 --> 00:23:38,800 Speaker 2: Have to change, you know. I mean we'd have mar 551 00:23:38,880 --> 00:23:39,119 Speaker 2: we have. 552 00:23:39,359 --> 00:23:40,640 Speaker 4: We don't really do to Go yet. 553 00:23:40,640 --> 00:23:43,720 Speaker 2: There's a lot of fish. But I think you know, 554 00:23:44,760 --> 00:23:47,040 Speaker 2: as a chef, you have to evolve to open because 555 00:23:47,160 --> 00:23:49,240 Speaker 2: end of the day, you have to meet the customer 556 00:23:49,280 --> 00:23:51,800 Speaker 2: where they're at right, customer's pains. You You can have 557 00:23:51,840 --> 00:23:54,240 Speaker 2: a vision and a mission, but then the customer is 558 00:23:54,240 --> 00:23:56,800 Speaker 2: going to tell you something. If you ignore that. Guess what, 559 00:23:56,840 --> 00:24:00,720 Speaker 2: You're not gonna have a customer and more you're in hospital, Tyler. 560 00:24:00,440 --> 00:24:02,000 Speaker 3: You'd really see what the people want. 561 00:24:02,560 --> 00:24:05,679 Speaker 2: And restaurant, the word restaurant mean to restore your spirit, 562 00:24:05,760 --> 00:24:09,360 Speaker 2: restore your community. Right, so you have to like roosters 563 00:24:09,400 --> 00:24:11,760 Speaker 2: on my restaurants, restaurants the community. You have to like 564 00:24:12,440 --> 00:24:14,560 Speaker 2: honestly listen, you know, and take part of that. 565 00:24:14,920 --> 00:24:18,560 Speaker 3: Okay, washing chicken, you don't have to do that. 566 00:24:19,040 --> 00:24:22,919 Speaker 4: You know again, my wife does that. My wife does that. 567 00:24:23,240 --> 00:24:24,119 Speaker 4: You don't have to do that. 568 00:24:24,320 --> 00:24:26,919 Speaker 1: You don't wash your chicken in all right, people are 569 00:24:26,960 --> 00:24:29,560 Speaker 1: gonna see why. 570 00:24:29,920 --> 00:24:32,879 Speaker 2: So I you know, sometimes I rinse and I cure 571 00:24:32,960 --> 00:24:36,159 Speaker 2: my chicken. I put water and salt in just for 572 00:24:36,200 --> 00:24:38,320 Speaker 2: it to get tightened up a little bit. That's different 573 00:24:38,400 --> 00:24:39,520 Speaker 2: than washing the chicken. 574 00:24:39,640 --> 00:24:44,960 Speaker 1: Okay, different, okay, microwave no no, no, I mean if 575 00:24:45,000 --> 00:24:47,159 Speaker 1: you need to eat something up really quickly, sure, But 576 00:24:47,240 --> 00:24:48,080 Speaker 1: like I don't cook. 577 00:24:48,119 --> 00:24:49,679 Speaker 2: I would never like cook anything. 578 00:24:49,840 --> 00:24:51,640 Speaker 1: But you're okay, we're heating stuff. I usually pay everything 579 00:24:51,680 --> 00:24:53,000 Speaker 1: in the oven when I hear yeah. 580 00:24:52,880 --> 00:24:54,960 Speaker 2: Good, see it ten minutes. 581 00:24:55,000 --> 00:24:58,240 Speaker 1: You know it's okay, you know, all right now, tipping 582 00:24:58,280 --> 00:25:01,160 Speaker 1: even though the service was bad, tip, yes, no matter what. 583 00:25:01,400 --> 00:25:05,120 Speaker 2: Yes, because that that server, that's what they live off. 584 00:25:05,320 --> 00:25:07,720 Speaker 1: What if they were rude and they did not do 585 00:25:07,880 --> 00:25:09,439 Speaker 1: things that you needed then to do, they messed up 586 00:25:09,440 --> 00:25:11,120 Speaker 1: your order, you waited, they forgot. 587 00:25:10,840 --> 00:25:12,560 Speaker 2: I know, But there is a way to tip, and 588 00:25:12,560 --> 00:25:14,240 Speaker 2: then there's a way to communicate that. 589 00:25:14,240 --> 00:25:16,959 Speaker 4: She or he was rude. Right, and both are important. 590 00:25:17,040 --> 00:25:20,000 Speaker 2: Right, you can speak. That's what the manager is there for. Right, Okay, listen, 591 00:25:20,840 --> 00:25:23,720 Speaker 2: I'm going to do this because it's how we do things. 592 00:25:24,000 --> 00:25:28,040 Speaker 2: But this was unacceptable, and that's actually the house needs 593 00:25:28,080 --> 00:25:30,640 Speaker 2: to know that, right, because then they can address that 594 00:25:30,840 --> 00:25:35,520 Speaker 2: through you know, manager meeting or whatever. But you talk 595 00:25:35,560 --> 00:25:37,760 Speaker 2: about someone's livelihood, you know, you have to tip. 596 00:25:38,000 --> 00:25:38,600 Speaker 4: It's part of. 597 00:25:38,520 --> 00:25:40,040 Speaker 3: It, all, right. Reviews. 598 00:25:40,119 --> 00:25:42,960 Speaker 1: When you leave a restaurant, how do you feel maybe 599 00:25:42,960 --> 00:25:45,199 Speaker 1: your experience wasn't great. Should you go and leave a 600 00:25:45,240 --> 00:25:47,639 Speaker 1: review or should you talk to the manager or both both? 601 00:25:47,840 --> 00:25:48,119 Speaker 4: Both? 602 00:25:48,240 --> 00:25:51,240 Speaker 2: I mean, we as chefs, we always think this is 603 00:25:51,280 --> 00:25:52,880 Speaker 2: where it's supposed to be. We don't have to listen. 604 00:25:52,920 --> 00:25:55,520 Speaker 2: We have to listen. I read every morning, we read 605 00:25:55,560 --> 00:25:58,280 Speaker 2: our reviews. We learn from the customers. And if because 606 00:25:58,320 --> 00:26:01,919 Speaker 2: we learn a ton, if we think the customer was 607 00:26:01,960 --> 00:26:05,320 Speaker 2: not waiting for the food, and every review says, hey, 608 00:26:05,359 --> 00:26:06,320 Speaker 2: I waited for the five minutes. 609 00:26:06,400 --> 00:26:07,680 Speaker 4: Guess what we were wrong. 610 00:26:08,200 --> 00:26:10,280 Speaker 2: You have to you have to be on your business 611 00:26:10,280 --> 00:26:13,200 Speaker 2: and in your business, and being in your business it's 612 00:26:13,280 --> 00:26:16,080 Speaker 2: not as sexy sometimes as being on your business, right, 613 00:26:16,400 --> 00:26:18,239 Speaker 2: but that's if you're going to be successful. You have 614 00:26:18,280 --> 00:26:19,600 Speaker 2: to be both on and in. 615 00:26:20,160 --> 00:26:22,040 Speaker 3: Okay, you know, all right? Fair enough? 616 00:26:22,119 --> 00:26:24,080 Speaker 1: And I want to encourage people to leave good reviews too, 617 00:26:24,080 --> 00:26:26,600 Speaker 1: because sometimes people only leave reviews when they're mad and 618 00:26:27,160 --> 00:26:28,080 Speaker 1: they want to go on there, and. 619 00:26:28,080 --> 00:26:30,240 Speaker 3: We did it. But if it's great, you know, reviews 620 00:26:30,240 --> 00:26:31,320 Speaker 3: do mean a lot to. 621 00:26:31,880 --> 00:26:34,080 Speaker 2: Look yeah, and that's how we learned. That's the feedback 622 00:26:34,119 --> 00:26:36,720 Speaker 2: that we work up right, and we need that. And 623 00:26:37,560 --> 00:26:39,679 Speaker 2: when you are having a dialogue with the guests like that, 624 00:26:40,520 --> 00:26:42,160 Speaker 2: the restaurant can actually improve. 625 00:26:42,240 --> 00:26:42,359 Speaker 4: Right. 626 00:26:42,400 --> 00:26:45,360 Speaker 2: If we don't have any dialogue, that's when the restaurant 627 00:26:45,480 --> 00:26:46,720 Speaker 2: what happened? And then it closes down? 628 00:26:47,000 --> 00:26:47,320 Speaker 3: All right? 629 00:26:47,359 --> 00:26:49,920 Speaker 1: And I want you to also address and talk about 630 00:26:49,920 --> 00:26:52,800 Speaker 1: your bahamas. I wanted to make it there this year 631 00:26:52,920 --> 00:26:55,879 Speaker 1: so bad, but we have Powerhouse to concert here. But 632 00:26:55,880 --> 00:26:57,920 Speaker 1: next year I'm definitely there. Sorry, Powerhouse. I don't know 633 00:26:57,920 --> 00:27:00,120 Speaker 1: if it's gonna be the same. We're going to figure this. 634 00:27:00,760 --> 00:27:02,680 Speaker 1: Can you talk about that in the restaurant. 635 00:27:02,760 --> 00:27:05,320 Speaker 2: So our restaurant is a bambar, a beautiful restaurant, markets 636 00:27:05,359 --> 00:27:07,720 Speaker 2: restaurant on the water, and every year we host we 637 00:27:07,760 --> 00:27:11,480 Speaker 2: have a festival called Bahamas, a culinary arts festival, which 638 00:27:11,520 --> 00:27:14,880 Speaker 2: is arts, music, and food and it's all about local 639 00:27:15,280 --> 00:27:17,720 Speaker 2: food and chef. We do bring in some celebrity chef 640 00:27:17,720 --> 00:27:20,320 Speaker 2: from the state, but you will meet the most incredible 641 00:27:20,920 --> 00:27:24,199 Speaker 2: local artists, almost like an art basil, you know that 642 00:27:24,280 --> 00:27:27,080 Speaker 2: type of thing. So you have like from seven I 643 00:27:27,080 --> 00:27:29,159 Speaker 2: think it was seven Caribbean nations this year they have 644 00:27:29,240 --> 00:27:32,359 Speaker 2: their art displaying there. And then we had Shaggy and Sting, 645 00:27:32,400 --> 00:27:33,119 Speaker 2: which was cool. 646 00:27:33,200 --> 00:27:35,520 Speaker 3: Yeah, that's a huge, amazing hudline. 647 00:27:35,720 --> 00:27:38,720 Speaker 2: Two thousand people on the beach, the partying and and 648 00:27:38,880 --> 00:27:39,560 Speaker 2: just great food. 649 00:27:39,600 --> 00:27:39,760 Speaker 1: Man. 650 00:27:39,800 --> 00:27:41,000 Speaker 2: So next year we got to get. 651 00:27:40,880 --> 00:27:43,240 Speaker 1: You, all right, I'm going to make sure that happens. Well, 652 00:27:43,359 --> 00:27:45,399 Speaker 1: thank you so much for coming through. We got to 653 00:27:45,400 --> 00:27:47,480 Speaker 1: have you back, like you know more frequently. 654 00:27:48,160 --> 00:27:49,639 Speaker 2: Give you a big no, can I just give you 655 00:27:49,680 --> 00:27:53,080 Speaker 2: a big shadow. You inspiring so many people, not just women. 656 00:27:53,400 --> 00:27:55,560 Speaker 2: You made someone like me think about how can we 657 00:27:55,600 --> 00:27:58,879 Speaker 2: reshape our industry. So you know, I know your store 658 00:27:59,359 --> 00:28:01,040 Speaker 2: in Brooklyn and you're going to grow that. 659 00:28:01,400 --> 00:28:02,560 Speaker 3: Marcus has been really great. 660 00:28:02,560 --> 00:28:05,520 Speaker 1: We're giving me some direction behind the scenes and talking 661 00:28:05,560 --> 00:28:07,879 Speaker 1: to us about our coffee company. When we first lunched, 662 00:28:07,880 --> 00:28:10,240 Speaker 1: we sat down and had a meeting and as you 663 00:28:10,240 --> 00:28:13,159 Speaker 1: can see, everything you said, like, I definitely paid attention 664 00:28:13,200 --> 00:28:14,520 Speaker 1: and took it to her. And I'm glad that we 665 00:28:14,560 --> 00:28:16,680 Speaker 1: have the lines of communication where I can ask you, 666 00:28:17,200 --> 00:28:18,080 Speaker 1: you know, certain questions. 667 00:28:18,119 --> 00:28:20,280 Speaker 2: I hate to bother that one question Mom coming to 668 00:28:20,280 --> 00:28:20,840 Speaker 2: Houston or what. 669 00:28:21,080 --> 00:28:23,040 Speaker 3: Oh yeah, you met my mom and Bermuda. 670 00:28:23,400 --> 00:28:26,840 Speaker 1: We stayed at the Princess Hamilton and so she's went 671 00:28:26,880 --> 00:28:28,320 Speaker 1: there and my mom saw Marcus. 672 00:28:28,320 --> 00:28:29,440 Speaker 3: I was like, oh my god, I have to get 673 00:28:29,440 --> 00:28:30,560 Speaker 3: a picture with him. And I was like, all right, 674 00:28:30,560 --> 00:28:32,520 Speaker 3: I'm going to ask him. You know, I don't like. 675 00:28:32,480 --> 00:28:35,680 Speaker 1: To bother people while there, but so gracious, my mom 676 00:28:35,720 --> 00:28:37,720 Speaker 1: has six pictures on her Instagram. That's one of them, 677 00:28:39,640 --> 00:28:43,040 Speaker 1: Marcus Samuelson and that's it period. But you didn't have 678 00:28:43,080 --> 00:28:45,720 Speaker 1: the kids there, so I felt okay, all right, but again, 679 00:28:45,760 --> 00:28:48,080 Speaker 1: thank you so much. And for Honeyland Festival, how can 680 00:28:48,120 --> 00:28:50,800 Speaker 1: people get tickets because you can still come out and 681 00:28:51,080 --> 00:28:51,680 Speaker 1: I'll be there. 682 00:28:51,720 --> 00:28:53,320 Speaker 3: So I'm excited to see everyone. 683 00:28:53,040 --> 00:28:55,720 Speaker 2: On land dot com book it come through. It's going 684 00:28:55,760 --> 00:28:57,640 Speaker 2: to be the best of music in Texas and the 685 00:28:57,640 --> 00:28:59,440 Speaker 2: best of food, and we're going to be there. 686 00:28:59,440 --> 00:29:00,800 Speaker 3: It's going to be a Yes, it is. 687 00:29:00,800 --> 00:29:03,000 Speaker 1: It's gonna be a vibe and I'll be at Metropolis 688 00:29:03,000 --> 00:29:05,200 Speaker 1: in the next couple of weeks, so watch out for that, 689 00:29:05,320 --> 00:29:08,080 Speaker 1: all right, all right, Marcus Samuelson, It's way up with Angela. 690 00:29:08,280 --> 00:29:09,360 Speaker 1: And by the way, I just want to say, if 691 00:29:09,360 --> 00:29:12,680 Speaker 1: you have never read his memoir, please make sure you do. 692 00:29:12,760 --> 00:29:15,880 Speaker 1: It super inspiring and I remember when it first came 693 00:29:15,880 --> 00:29:17,160 Speaker 1: out and for me to I didn't even know your 694 00:29:17,200 --> 00:29:20,040 Speaker 1: whole backstory, but to read that and see the stories 695 00:29:20,080 --> 00:29:22,400 Speaker 1: of resilience and what made you who you are today, 696 00:29:22,720 --> 00:29:25,880 Speaker 1: you know, amazing read all right, Marcus Samielson