Meet the Moment: Marcus Samuelsson defends restaurant workers amid immigration raids

Meet the Press

NBC News

Democrats, 2018, Elections, Meet The Press, President, Russert, News Commentary, Public, Chuck Todd, Debate, Congress, 2020 Election, Road To 2020, Campaign, Democratic Primary, Political, White House, 2018 Midterms, Analysis, Democratic Presidential Debate, Primary Election, 2020, News, Government, Policy, Nbc, Issues, Republicans, 2016, Politics, Washington

3.8 • 3.7K Ratings

🗓️ 26 October 2025

⏱️ 37 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

Chef Marcus Samuelsson sits down with Kristen Welker for a “Meet the Moment” conversation about the role restaurant workers play in American life and how immigration raids are threatening the people who “are adding to the American experience.”

Transcript

Click on a timestamp to play from that location

0:00.0	Meet the moment is sponsored by Vanguard.
0:05.5	Welcome back. Throughout his 30 years in America, chef Marcus Samuelson has made a name for himself
0:17.0	in the kitchen and on your TV screen, from his prestigious James Beard Awards to
0:23.1	helming the first state dinner of the Obama administration, Samuelson has been a key voice
0:29.2	in bringing African and black cuisine to the forefront in America. I sat down with
0:34.8	Samuelson in his brand new restaurant, Marcus D.C., right here in the nation's capital.
0:40.3	In our Meet the Moment conversation, I talked to him about his journey from being born in a hut in Ethiopia to becoming one of the most renowned chefs in the world.
0:51.1	Marcus Samuelson, welcome to meet the press.
0:53.8	Welcome to Marcus D.C. Thank you. It is such, welcome to meet the press. Welcome to Marcus DC.
0:55.0	Thank you.
0:56.0	It is such an honor to be here and to be sitting with you.
1:00.0	You have an absolutely extraordinary story.
1:04.0	You came to the United States 30 years ago.
1:08.0	You were born in-
1:09.0	30 years ago.
1:10.0	Yes, yes. I can't even believe it.
1:13.0	Yes. See, when you hear that, it really hits you, right? You were born in Ethiopia in the middle of a
1:20.4	civil war. You were adopted by parents in Sweden. You grew up there. You have now become a renowned chef who really puts a focus on black and African cooking.
1:34.3	Why is this your life's work?
1:36.3	Well, I would say even before that, you know, being born in Ethiopia in a hut,
1:45.0	basically the size of two restaurant tables.
1:49.0	I always say that's like,
	...

Please login to see the full transcript.

Previous episode | Next episode

Disclaimer: The podcast and artwork embedded on this page are from NBC News, and are the property of its owner and not affiliated with or endorsed by Tapesearch.

Generated transcripts are the property of NBC News and are distributed freely under the Fair Use doctrine. Transcripts generated by Tapesearch are not guaranteed to be accurate.