Chef Nyesha J. Arrington, An LA Treasure

By Alyssa Ballard (guest writer)

Women are powerful creatures…I have always been drawn to driven yet accessible female chefs. No matter the talent, many never receive the accolades that male chefs receive. I have been impressed with Chef Nyesha J. Arrington. A native of Southern California, she was first inspired to cook by her Korean grandma Ai-Soon Lee, along with her two aunts who happen to be black. Arrington was just 5 years old when this passion started to burn inside her. 

Images courtesy of Chef Nyesha J. Arrington

Growing up in LA offered more exposure to a variety of cultures. All of this has created the talented chef that Arrington has become…an LA treasure.  She attended the Culinary School at the Art Institute of California and worked with the likes of Chef Josiah Citrin, and French chef Joël Robuchon. 

Arrington comes from an artistic family which explains why she first studied art. This would ultimately influence her take on cooking…starting with prep, the combination of ingredients, and of course the plating of each dish. 

Two of Arrington’s restaurants (Leona and Native) were included the LA Times’ Best 101 of Los Angeles” list, and proclaimed “a force in Los Angeles cooking” by late iconic food critic Jonathan Gold.

In addition to running her own restaurants, Arrington was the Executive Chef at Wilshire restaurant in Santa Monica, and has appeared on numerous Bravo Top Chef TV shows. 

Avocado Crab and Tuna Stack

Today she does private catering and collaborates with the Santa Monica Farmers Market, producing videos about farm fresh cooking on instagram. She balances her life with a work-out group of close female friends called the “Allday Divas.”

You can catch Arrington online, featured in many videos…she is a natural. This is a wonderful way to learn about cooking. CLICK HERE to watch her create while literally experimenting and creating a new recipe for an unusual Caribbean style gnocchi. I wish I could taste this through the computer…it looks amazing!!!

Remember as women, we all need to support women…Visit her website for more info and social media links – https://www.nyeshaarrington.com

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