Harlem-based chefs Marcus Samuelsson and Lexis Gonzalez joined together for Cooking for a Cause, a virtual cook-along sharing exciting new trends and flavors of pasta. This online event in July supported Harlem Eat Up! an organization Marcus created to provide fresh meals to the Harlem communities in immediate need while also keeping small restaurants and food businesses open in Harlem due to the crisis stemming COVID-19.

“Barilla has been an amazing partner for the past six years at our Harlem Eat Up! event where we all come together to celebrate,” Marcus said. “I bring my family to Morningside park, and everything is up! Chefs like Lexis and others are cooking and thousands of people eating and engaging and music, and Barilla brings out that pan and we toss pasta.”

It’s my favorite day of the year; it’s spring in Harlem, locals, tourists, and everybody comes together. Obviously this year we couldn’t have that experience because of coronavirus, so doing Harlem Serves Up! is  a way to honor this and help in an important time.” 

Barilla helped Marcus and others launch Harlem Eat Up! several years ago in support of small businesses in the community.

“At a time like this in the pandemic,” Marcus said, “every effort we can to work with small businesses and supporting them is something we want to focus on at a very important time.”

This year’s event was hosted by Katie Lee, the co-host of The Kitchen, which airs on the Food Network. Inspired by top chef, Bobby Flay, she refers to him as her mentor and strives to match his cooking abilities.

Watch the video and make the dish along with the chefs!

Here’s what the at home chefs said about the event:

  • Thank you so much! Wendi Bowen Martin, born in Brooklyn. Donated $400 with honor!
  • Thanks Barilla and Chefs for a great experience!
  • Thank you Lexi Marcus and Katie!!
  • Thank you all and to our amazing chefs and host!
  • Thanks Barilla! Thanks Harlem Eat up!

About the Chefs

Marcus Samuelsson 

Marcus Samuelsson is an award-winning chef, restaurateur, cookbook author, philanthropist, and food activist. His most recent restaurant, New York City’s acclaimed Red Rooster Harlem, opened in December 2010. Red Rooster Harlem celebrates the roots of American cuisine in one of New York City’s liveliest and most culturally rich neighborhoods. Chef Samuelsson has been featured on Iron Chef, Chopped All-Stars, Top Chef Masters, 24 Hour Restaurant Battle, The Martha Stewart Show, the Today show, and his own television show, The Inner Chef, on Discovery Network.

Lexis Gonzalez

Lexis Gonzalez is the co-owner of Lady Lexis Sweets. Her love for desserts as a child grew to a career in the culinary world. Her parents were big foodies that would try all different types of recipes and venture to different restaurants. After not feeling satisfied with studying accounting, she left business school to study culinary arts at City Tech in Brooklyn, NY. From cookies to handmade candies, Lexis creates treats that reflect her Boricua Geechee upbringing (Puerto Rican and Charleston, SC) Lexis has since been featured in NYCWFF, Black Chef Series, and Essence. Now Lexis creates foods and desserts for her clients where they can try the foods her family would make for her growing up.

Harlem EatUp! directed funds from this event to promote Harlem businesses and support the Harlem community which has been disproportionately impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Donations will benefit non-profits which fight food insecurity and serve Harlem, its residents in need, its businesses and the City of New York: Citymeals, World Central Kitchen’s Restaurants for the People in the metro NY region, Harlem Park to Park, and Uptown Grand Central.