Bork-bork jokes aside, Marcus Samuelsson is probably one of the best-known Swedes in New York City, and certainly one of the more innovative chefs in Manhattan. In partnership with owner Håkan Swahn, his two restaurants (Aquavit and Riingo) have re-imagined Scandinavian culinary traditions for a new, transnational world. An example is the way Samuelsson has combined traditional Swedish expertise in pickling herring with the way that sushi is constructed and presented in Japanese cuisine.

Samuelsson is coming to Seattle this Thursday as part of Starbucks’ “Coffee is Culinary” tour (a claim which comes as no surprise to anyone who’s ever eaten Trader Joe’s Chocolate-Covered Espresso Beans.) Seems our own local mega-roastery has asked to the Swedish chef to co-design some new coffee blends (Ubora & Joya del Dia). Samuelsson is also touring to promote a new cookbook showcasing food from his native Africa, called (with apologies to Tracy Kidder?) The Soul of a New Cuisine. Catch him at 1pm on Thursday, August 30th at the Madison Park Starbucks (4000 East Madison).

Related posts:

1. Free Coffee
2. Will read for coffee
3. What if they offered good coffee?
4. 10 years of the Frap
5. Salute Your Chef