As the Executive Chef & Partner of two of New York’s most beloved restaurants, Shuka in SoHo and Shukette in Chelsea, Ayesha Nurdjaja’s vibrant Eastern Mediterranean cooking has earned critical acclaim and a devoted following. Ayesha’s approach is rooted in seasonal, sustainably sourced ingredients that demonstrate quality and intention in every dish. Her accolades include being named a 2026 semifinalist for “Best Chef: New York State” by the James Beard Foundation and receiving the 2025 IACP Trailblazer Award. Since 2025, she has been a Titan on the Food Network’s Bobby’s Triple Threat, where her versatility and creativity have earned one of the strongest win records in the history of the show.
Born and raised in Brooklyn with Italian-Indonesian roots, Ayesha also shares her passion for cooking, razor-sharp wit, and infectious energy across her social channels. She posts candid behind-the-scenes content and vibrant recipe videos from her kitchen that showcase her skill in making simple ingredients shine.