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The culinary world is extremely competitive at the top, and Mariya Russell has emerged as a rising star on the scene. Speaking of stars, the Chicago-based chef is the first Black woman to be awarded a coveted Michelin Star based on her cooking talent.

 

 

As “Chef de Cuisine” of Chicago’s Kumiko/Kikko, Russell has received lots of recognition for her Japanese-influenced dishes. Her journey in cooking began for her as a child in Springfield, Ohio, where she would shadow her mother in the kitchen.

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As a high school student in Columbus, Russell attended a career academy course that inspired the chef-to-be towards a career in the restaurant business. After high school, Russell entered the Cooking and Hospitality Institute of Chicago and made the city her new home base. She worked in a number of restaurants, including a place owned by Kumiko/Kikko co-owner, Noah Sandoval.

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Russell is also aware of her rarity as a Black woman and lead chef in one of the nation’s most talked about hot spots, saying  in a recent interview that the industry hasn’t always been kind to her.

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