Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
Food
Bill Clinton & Celeb Chefs Celebrate Harlem's Phenomenal Food
By
Nell Casey
Published May 18, 2015
Modified May 18, 2015
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
View all 21
By
Nell Casey
Published May 18, 2015
Modified May 18, 2015
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Harlem's excellent eateries were in the spotlight over the weekend as part of the inaugural edition of the Harlem Eat Up!, a multi-day celebration of the neighborhood's great culinary attributes.
The weekend brought visitors to the area for special dinners, talks, demos and other events, but the main attraction was Saturday's "The Stroll," an outdoor gathering point for local food trucks and restaurants, chefs and foodies and even a special visit from President Bill Clinton. Photographer Clay Williams was on hand to document "The Experience"—a paid section of the event with lots of food, drinks and celeb chefs—where local eateries and their owners peacocked for the enthusiastic crowd.
"I have been coming to Harlem for more than 45 years. Nothing characterizes this neighborhood more than the food—all the different restaurants, all the people who provided," Clinton declared during a brief speech. "I'm really grateful that somehow you guys got all of these world famous chefs from all over America to come here and cook. I think you did it so you'd have bragging rights—that the locals are better. "
On hand inside the ticketed area: legendary Harlem spots like Melba's (serving catfish skewers) and Charles' Country Pan Fried Chicken (serving fried chicken, mac & cheese and other staples). The next wave of Harlem's culinary renaissance were also represented, including ceviche-style seafood cups from Harlem Tavern, lemon-crusted nugget bites by Seasoned Vegan and jerk chicken tacos by hip neighborhood poster boy Marcus Samuelsson and his restaurant Red Rooster.
The Eat Up! also featured art, music and dance performances, as well as a visit from Mayor de Blasio, culinary demos by people like Ludo Lefevre and George Duran, cocktail and wine demos from Karl Franz Williams (67 Orange Street) and "Wine Evangelist" Brian Duncan. Outside the ticketed area, food trucks and vendors including Fashionista, Artistic Taste, Snow Day and Mighty Edible set up shop for visitors to buy food and good a la carte.
Tagged
bill clinton
harlem
harlem eats
the stroll
original
Nell Casey
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE food
North African restaurants are rare in NYC. These 10 are the best.
Egyptian, Moroccan, Algerian and Tunisian food is delicious but underrepresented in the city.
By
Robert Sietsema
Published Oct 10, 2026
10 dishes that demonstrate the delicious diversity of curry in New York City
The global dish is shapeshifting and ubiquitous.
By
Robert Sietsema
Food
10 dishes that demonstrate the delicious diversity of curry in New York City
The global dish is shapeshifting and ubiquitous.
By
Robert Sietsema
Frozen yogurt is back in New York City. So are the super long lines.
By
Sonia Rao
5 NYC banana puddings as good as Magnolia's
By
Hannah Frishberg
Where to eat in Greenpoint, Brooklyn right now, from Polish to Sichuan to Iberian
By
Robert Sietsema
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .