A Taste of the Past

Episode 130: Kubee Kassaye

Episode Summary

How did an Ethiopian immigrant become an award winning chef in NYC? Find out today on A Taste of the Past as Linda Pelaccio hosts Ethiopian native and chef of the Peninsula Hotel in Manhattan, Kubee Kassaye as well as Marsha Palanci of Les Dames dEscoffier and the International Legacy Awards. Kubee describes her journey from Ethiopia to New York City as a child, attending the New York College of Technology, and eventually becoming a chef tournant at the Peninsula Hotel in Manhattan. Her culinary expertise won her the Les Dames dEscoffier International Legacy Award presented by Marsha Palanci and Kubee has accepted it with enthusiasm! You can find her cooking up authentic Ethiopian cuisine, teaching young culinary students, and participating in volunteer programs for sustainable foods and nutrition. Tune in and hear about this exciting and talented chef and her plans to one day open an Ethiopian and Italian restaurant! This program was sponsored by Hearst Ranch. I was so excited I couldnt believe I had won...the scholarship opened my eyes to see the culinary world in a bigger perspective. [11:23] I want something different, to start a restaurant, I like Italian food and Ethiopian food, they complement each other. [14:00] --Kubee Kassaye, Chef at Peninsula Hotel on A Taste From the Past

Episode Notes

How did an Ethiopian immigrant become an award winning chef in NYC? Find out today on A Taste of the Past as Linda Pelaccio hosts Ethiopian native and chef of the Peninsula Hotel in Manhattan, Kubee Kassaye as well as Marsha Palanci of Les Dames d’Escoffier and the International Legacy Awards. Kubee describes her journey from Ethiopia to New York City as a child, attending the New York College of Technology, and eventually becoming a chef tournant at the Peninsula Hotel in Manhattan. Her culinary expertise won her the Les Dames d’Escoffier International Legacy Award presented by Marsha Palanci and Kubee has accepted it with enthusiasm! You can find her cooking up authentic Ethiopian cuisine, teaching young culinary students, and participating in volunteer programs for sustainable foods and nutrition. Tune in and hear about this exciting and talented chef and her plans to one day open an Ethiopian and Italian restaurant! This program was sponsored by Hearst Ranch.


“I was so excited I couldn’t believe I had won…the scholarship opened my eyes to see the culinary world in a bigger perspective.” [11:23]

“I want something different, to start a restaurant, I like Italian food and Ethiopian food, they complement each other.” [14:00]

–Kubee Kassaye, Chef at Peninsula Hotel on A Taste From the Past