The Red Rooster Cookbook

The Red Rooster Cookbook: The Story of Food and Hustle in Harlem by Marcus Samuelsson is a vibrant cookbook and cultural portrait that captures the spirit, history, and energy of Harlem through food. Inspired by his iconic Harlem restaurant, Red Rooster, Samuelsson combines multicultural recipes with personal stories, neighborhood narratives, and reflections on community, identity, and creativity. Blending Southern comfort food with African, Caribbean, Swedish, and global influences, the book features dishes like Fried Yardbird, shrimp and grits, cornbread, and soulful reinterpretations of classic comfort foods. More than a recipe collection, The Red Rooster Cookbook is a love letter to Harlem—celebrating its people, music, resilience, and the powerful role food plays in bringing communities together.