10/14/2026
Years ago, when was a young cook in Chicago working at avec, my business partner took him on a walk through Green City Market. Paul asked Sam “What do you want to do with yourself?” Sam’s response was pretty profound. He said: “I want to change the world with food.” He wasn’t kidding.
Sam went on to become the White House chef for the Obama family, Senior Policy Advisor for Nutrition in the Obama administration, Executive Director of Michelle Obama’s Let’s Move! Campaign, and is now a Partner in Acre Venture Partners, a firm built around the powerful idea that innovation can help create a healthier, more sustainable and successful food system.
On Friday night at the Obama Presidential Center the honored Sam as the 12th recipient of the Julia Child Award, given each year to one person who has changed the way America cooks, eats and thinks about food and nutrition. I was humbled and grateful to be a part of the ceremony. I couldn’t imagine being anywhere else in the world. This is a huge honor for my dear friend Sam, and for everyone who grew up with him along the way.
The night was a beautiful tribute to his family, his dad, and his roots here in Hyde Park, Chicago. Sam has always surrounded himself with people who love him, and on this special night, he was able give back to them too. Thank you to the Julia Child Foundation, Koren Grieveson, Tina Tchen, Deb Eschmeyer, Lucas Mann, Eric Spivey, Julia Child’s family…and many more who attended, and of course President and Mrs. Obama for their beautiful, heartfelt letter.
