Mayia
Personal Chef
From an early age, cooking was more than a chore for Chef Mayia; it was a calling. In middle school, she began preparing meals for her siblings and what started as a responsibility quickly grew into a genuine love for the kitchen as a place to create, connect. After years of cooking for family and friends, Mayia left her corporate career behind and took a leap of faith to pursue cooking full time.
Her cooking is rooted in bold flavors and comforting, feel-good food, drawing inspiration from Asian, African, Mediterranean, and Greek cuisines. Chef Mayia blends traditional elements with fresh, creative twists that make each dish feel both familiar and exciting. When she’s out of the kitchen, Mayia loves to read, check out new restaurants and explore DC with her husband.
You have guests coming for dinner, what are you making?
In the summer, we will definitely grill for our guests. We love carne asada, elote, grilled Mexican green onions, guacamole and Spanish rice.
What’s your favorite ingredient to cook with?
My favorite ingredients to cook with currently are all the summer fruits like apricots, peaches and watermelon.
What’s your favorite season to cook in and what dish are you making?
My favorite season is summer because I enjoy cooking outside on the grill, and I love a grilled ribeye!