Questlove + Stuart Firestein + Daniel Humm

In his new book somethingtofoodabout, The Roots drummer Questlove takes an enthusiastic tour of the state of creativity in American cuisine. On stage at the Rubin he will explore which emotional states encourage the greatest creativity with neurobiologist Stuart Firestein and chef Daniel Humm. Get a taste of what emotional creativity evokes in you.

About the Speakers

Questlove is a drummer, DJ, producer, culinary entrepreneur, New York Times best-selling author, and unmistakable heartbeat of The Roots, Philadelphia’s most influential hip-hop group. He is the musical director for The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, where The Roots serves as house band. Beyond that, the four-time Grammy Award-winning musician has served as musical director for a wide range of artists, from D’Angelo to Eminem to Jay-Z. Questlove has also released two books including the New York Times bestseller Mo’ Meta Blues and Soul Train: The Music, Dance and Style of a Generation.

Questlove made his way into the culinary world with his signature “Love’s Drumstick.” Currently, he is hosting a series of food salons with world-renowned and innovative chefs at his apartment. He is a Celebrity Ambassador for Food Bank for New York City, a member of the City Harvest Food Council, a board member of Edible Schoolyard, and the first artist-in-residence at the Made in NY Media Center. He is also a founding member of the CAPA Foundation in Philadelphia.

Daniel Humm is the chef/co-owner of Eleven Madison Park and The NoMad and NoMad Bar at The NoMad Hotel. His cuisine is focused on the locally sourced ingredients of New York, with an emphasis on simplicity, purity, and seasonal flavors.

A native of Switzerland, he was exposed to food at a very young age, and began working in kitchens at the age of 14. From there he spent time in some of the finest Swiss hotels and restaurants before earning his first Michelin star at the age of 24. In 2003, Daniel moved to the United States to become the executive chef at Campton Place in San Francisco, where he received four stars from the San Francisco Chronicle. Three years later, he moved to New York to become the executive chef at Eleven Madison Park.

Over the course of Daniel’s tenure, he and Eleven Madison Park have received numerous accolades, including four stars from The New York Times, six James Beard Foundation Awards (including Outstanding Chef and Outstanding Restaurant in America), three Michelin Stars, and a top spot on the San Pellegrino list of the World’s 50 Best Restaurants. In 2011, Daniel and partner Will Guidara purchased Eleven Madison Park from Union Square Hospitality Group, and the following year also opened the critically acclaimed NoMad. Since its opening, The NoMad has garnered three stars from The New York Times, one Michelin Star, and a James Beard Foundation Award.

Together with Will, he is the author of Eleven Madison Park: The Cookbook, I Love New York: Ingredients and Recipes, and The NoMad Cookbook.

Brainwave is supported, in part, by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council.