Marcus Samuelsson Defends Met Gala Food After Keke Palmer Complaint

After Keke Palmer roasted the 2021 Met Gala's food on social media (so to speak), the acclaimed head chef behind the menu is sticking up for the event’s food.

Marcus Samuelsson, a Swedish-Ethiopian chef, who has appeared as a judge on Iron Chef America and Chopped, told gossip website TMZ yesterday (September 15) that Palmer’s plate wasn't an accurate depiction of what the food was like that night.

The chef and restauranteur told the gossip site that Keke's plate was barely topped with roasted mushrooms, tomato salad with corn and zucchini slices -- whose decision that was is unclear. Samuelsson and his 10 selected up-and-coming chefs served a 3-course meal, adding that he believes the gala’s food tasted “plenty good.”

Samuelsson told the gossip site that the feedback he got after the party was “incredible.” But Palmer posted a photo on Twitter of the catering and wrote over the photo, “This is why they don’t show y’all the food 🤪 I’m just playinnnn👀”

She wrote on the Twitter post, “The menu chile.”

Palmer’s post drew comparisons to the infamous cheese sandwich handed out at the 2017 Fyre Festival. Factoring the $30-50,000 per ticket for Met Gala attendees makes Keke's review of the food even more ridiculous.

Last night, Keke responded to a fan who said they believe her review writing, "I just have different taste buds! I love this Chef, sorry to this man."