Last year’s Harlem EatUp!’s first class photo took place in front of a couple of brownstones on 119th Street in homage to Art Kane’s iconic photo, “A Great Day in Harlem.” And a great day it was, as it brought together so many chefs and restaurateurs from Harlem and all over the city to document the auspicious moment.
This year it is the World Famous Apollo Theater that sits as the backdrop of the 2016 class photo. More than 50 chefs, restaurant owners, personalities, artists and local figures gathered with festival creators Marcus Samuelsson and Herb Karlitz for a joyous snap in time.
I was fortunate both to be in the photo this year (Can you find me?) and to capture some moments between friends old and new. I was so happy to see chef Justin Smilie of Upland there, as my meal at his restaurant was one of my favorite meals of 2015 (http://amsterdamnews.com/news/2015/mar/12/talking-schop-taking-uptown-upland/). He and Harlem newcomer, chef Lance Knowling of Blujeen on Frederick Douglas Boulevard, are producing a Dine In Friday night that is sure to be delicious.
Check out chef Charles Gabriel of Harlem’s Charles Fried Chicken (the bees knees of fried chicken!) as he lets chef Daniel Boulud of Daniel hold his signature frying pan. The owner of 67 Orange Street and the new owner Solomon & Kuff, Karl Franz Williams, and Scarpetta’s chef Scott Conant talk shop under the Apollo’s awning. Melba Wilson proudly shares her new cookbook with LoLo’s Seafood Shack owners Skai Young and Raymond Mohan. Who else can you find?