Marcus Samuelsson, Massimo Bottura, Gucci's Marco Bizzarri, and Dapper Dan. Image courtesy of Food for Soul's Instagram

Massimo Bottura cooks for Dapper Dan in Harlem

The Italian chef rubbed shoulders with the New York designer at this year’s annual Harlem Meat Up

Massimo Bottura might be known for updating Italian cuisine, adding contemporary-art like twists to lasagne, mortadella and the like, but the chef has always drawn from a wider range of influences, such as 20th century jazz – he even has a dish inspired by Thelonious Monk – so it shouldn’t surprise us to see him putting in an appearance at the Harlem Meat Up, the NYC culinary celebration of the African-American culture of upper Manhattan.

Bottura teamed up with the Ethiopian-born, Harlem-based chef Marcus Samuelsson on Wednesday to cook a celebratory dinner at Samuelsson’s Red Rooster restaurant. The guest of honour was Dapper Dan, the Harlem clothes designer, stylist and Gucci collaborator, whose taste-making skills have shaped this New York neighbourhood for decades.

 

Never Trust a Skinny Italian Chef
Never Trust a Skinny Italian Chef

Gucci CEO – and Bottura’s old school friend – Marco Bizzarri was also present at the charity event, which benefitted both Massimo’s charity, Food for Soul, and the New York non-profit Citymeals. Massimo cooked a few classics, including The Crunchy Part of the Lasagna, while Dan and co enjoyed a little live jazz. Proof that good taste knows no bounds.

For more on how to recreate Massimo’s cookery, order a copy of Never Trust a Skinny Italian Chef; for more on his philanthropic work, alongside some haute cuisine uses for leftovers, take a look at Bread is Gold. 

 

Bread is Gold
Bread is Gold