English, Croata, Italiana
I grew up in a Croatian family that was heaven-bent on cooking. Under the daily tutelage of my mom, dad, and older sister, three cooks who taught me how to live, love and make the best Sarma (a complex yet adaptable Bosnian dish), I had racked up 10,000 hours in the kitchen by the time I was sixteen. (Missed lot's of soccer games and parties.)
Living between Adriatic, Italian, German, Bosnian, Hungarian, and Turkish cuisines, we were adept at discovering dishes and their stories. We would travel from Tuscany to Istanbul and from Split to Munich. Upon returning home, we would get experiments started.
Back in 6th grade, I guest hosted a cooking show on Croatian national TV channel. Today, it is mostly about New York City and the rich immigrant tradition that makes New York City so special. She (NYC) is full of culinary artists, fresh ingredients, healthy choices, and ways to pack old dishes and new techniques into food that will awake and nourish anyone willing to learn and travel the world through NYC kitchens.
Cooking, like life, is the place of constant transformation. You only need to recognize two or three wholesome ingredients in your story, your life or in your kitchen (every one of us has them, no doubt) and get enchanted with what's possible.
Although my first love is Croatian cuisine, and while Balkan food is my heart’s home, I love to challenge, experiment, and learn, while always being in touch with the four elements of fire, water, earth, and air.
I love to search the city for extraordinary finds that can transport people across the globe, across their own memories and dreams, and across the table to a new friend.
Come, sit, and feast on your life. Feel at home in the world. It’s beautiful.
"Samir is a storyteller and he does have stories to tell." ~ New York Times
#EatWithSamir
Eatwith events I am planning to do ( Which one would you like?)
Croatian North
Croatian South
Big Red Pot Series
East European Latin Fusion (it's time to use smoked turkey and pickled onion in at taco!)
Balkan Japanese Fusion (there is a straight line there)
Umami Fest
City Finds (awesome ingredients from NYC that people don't know about)
New Story Dinner and Toast (everyone's journey gets celebrated)
Vegetarian Feast
Seas
Trip on Shrooms
Food Church in Harlem (think dirty gospel and taste-imonies)
Guest Chef Russell Chin
Guest Chef Peter Steen
Mindful and Magical Eating
Cooking Class: Throw away the recipes
Ho circa 50 anni
Lifelong cook, author, professional coach, and retreat facilitator
Turkish Delight (from Turkey!)
Come sarà l'esperienza a casa di Samir
Diane
6 feb 2018
Samir was a great host. He told us about his childhood growing up cooking and even read us poems that he had picked based on our group. An excellent experience and highly recommended.
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Casey
6 feb 2018
Samir and his wife were fantastic and so was their apartment. There was an abundance of fantastic food and we were particularly pleased that there were a number of things we had never heard of. Samir also was kind enough to include some poetry and thoughts with dinner which we really appreciated. Samir also was very accommodating for my lactose intolerance. Overall, a great experience and after having 3rds from the big red pot, we left very full and happy.
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Renee
28 dic 2017
I had a great time! The food and wine were amazing. The group of people were fun and the chef was so welcoming - I loved it!
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Stephen
28 dic 2017
Such a fun night! Great to meet locals AND folks from far away (Germany, Italy). For 4 aussies a long way from home, Samir's home cooked meal was a treat , and the conversation was wide, varied, noisy & funny! Thanks guys for a great night.
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