Mariya Russell is an American chef and restaurateur. She made history by becoming the first black woman to be awarded a Michelin star in September 2019 while working as a chef at Kumiko and Kikkō.

Mariya grew up in Springfield, Ohio, with her parents and four sisters.
Her interest in becoming a chef was sparked during high school in Columbus, Ohio, where she participated in a career academy that introduced her to the culinary world.

After high school, Mariya moved to Chicago and studied at The Cooking and Hospitality Institute of Chicago, graduating in 2008.
She worked at several notable Chicago restaurants, including Uncommon Ground, Green Zebra, The Bristol, Nellcote, and Senza.
It was at Green Zebra that she met Cara Sandoval and Noah Sandoval, who later invited her to be part of Kumiko and Kikkō.

Mariya moved to Charleston, South Carolina, with her husband (at the time), chef Garrett Russell, but returned to Chicago in 2016 after her father’s passing.
She joined Oriole as a server and eventually became sous-chef and chef de cuisine.
Noah Sandoval asked her to be the chef for his new project, Kumiko and Kikkō.
In September 2019, just days before her 30th birthday, Mariya Russell was awarded a Michelin star for her exceptional culinary skills.

After receiving the Michelin star, Mariya took a break to focus on her well-being.
She decided to pivot her career toward entrepreneurship and moved to Hawaii in August 2020.
Mariya explored her values, prioritized rest, and embarked on a journey to define her future vision.
Her recent years have been filled with pop-ups and chef collaborations, leading to the creation of her new concept, Connie’s Underground Supper Club.
Mariya Russell’s journey exemplifies resilience, creativity, and breaking barriers in the culinary world.

Curated by the World Culinary Awards