Latest news with #BeatBobbyFlay
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Shreveport's Chef Niema wins ‘Beat Bobby Flay'
Shreveports very own Chef Niema has been named winner of 'Beat Bobby Flay'. Following a half-hour-long episode on Thursday evening, Shreveport Chef and Executive Chef at Abby Singer's Niematulai "Niema" DiGrazia prevailed as the winner in the "Beat Bobby Flay", Season 38, Episode 9, "Fight Like a Lion". This episode featured celebrity chefs Eric Adjepong and Jaymee Sire, as well as local chef DiGrazia and Solomon Johnson. DiGrazia wore her strength and confidence on her sleeve. She said this strength was instilled in her at a young age after escaping Sierra Leone to the neighboring country of Guinea. DiGrazia has been in the United States for 12 years. She said that she is grateful to represent Sierra Leone but is honored to represent the food Mecca of Louisiana, the Shreveport-Bossier area. If you missed this win, you can watch it on Discovery+, Max, Hulu + Live TV and on the Food Network GO. More: Chef Niema to appear on Food Network's 'Beat Bobby Flay' this Thursday Makenzie Boucher is a reporter with the Shreveport Times. Contact her at mboucher@ This article originally appeared on Shreveport Times: Chef Niema named the winner of 'Beat Bobby Flay' Thursday evening
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Shreveport chef to compete in Louisiana Seafood Cook-Off
SHREVEPORT, La. (KTAL/KMSS) – A popular Shreveport chef was announced as one of the participants in the Louisiana Seafood Cook-Off coming to south Louisiana in late June. Chef Blake Jackson, owner of Mae & Co. and Heron Seafood, is one of 12 chefs chosen by Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser and the Louisiana Seafood Promotion and Marketing Board, who announced the participants in the 18th Annual Louisiana Seafood Cook-Off on Wednesday. 'One of the biggest parts of Louisiana's culture is the connection between good food, good friends, and family. In all corners of our state, you can find culinary creations from recipes passed down through generations. The outstanding chefs we have competing this year have taken those recipes and put their own spin on them and use Louisiana seafood to help create the culinary identity Louisiana has today,' said Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser. 'This event is the perfect opportunity to celebrate our diverse heritage, the great contributions of chefs around our state, and the hardworking people of the Louisiana seafood and restaurant industries that make Louisiana truly a place to Feed Your Soul.' Shreveport chef to appear on Food Network's 'Beat Bobby Flay' The cookoff will be held on Friday, June 27, 2025, at The Harbor Center in Slidell. The winner will represent Louisiana as they compete for the 'King or Queen of American Seafood' at the Great American Seafood Cook-Off in New Orleans on Saturday, August 2, at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center. Get your tickets early to avoid the event selling out. Tickets are $65 and can be purchased by visiting Tammany Taste of Summer. Karlos Knott, Executive Chef, Cajun Saucer at Bayou Teche Brewery, Arnaudville, LA Kaleb Scott, Executive Chef, University Club of Baton Rouge; Baton Rouge, LA Willie Gaspard, Jr., Executive Chef, Cypress Bayou Casino & Hotel, Charenton, LA Michael Kelley, Executive Chef, Gallagher's Grill; Covington, LA Trenton Oliphant, Executive Chef/Owner, Benteaux Cajun-Asian Fusion; Hammond, LA Jaylen Cherry, Head Chef, The Depeaux; Independence, LA Alexis Indest, Executive Chef, Whiskey and Vine; Lafayette, LA Chase Raley, Chef de Cuisine, Parish Restaurant and Bar, Monroe, LA Farrell Harrison, Executive Chef, Plates Restaurant & Bar, New Orleans, LA Jared Heider, Chef de Cuisine, Juniors on Harrison; New Orleans, LA Blake Jackson, Executive Chef/Owner, Heron Seafood/Mae & Co., Shreveport, LA Joseph Fontenot, Executive Chef, Creole Bagelry & Café; Slidell, LA Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Chef Niema to appear on Food Network's 'Beat Bobby Flay' this Thursday
Shreveport Chef and Executive Chef at Abby Singer's Niematulai "Niema" DiGrazia, known as Chef Niema, will be gracing the Food Network stage this Thursday. DiGrazia will be on "Beat Bobby Flay" May 29, Season 38, Episode 9, "Fight Like a Lion". This episode will feature chefs Eric Adjepong, Jaymee Sire, Solomon Johnson and DiGrazia. "Being chosen to compete and embrace the stage of the Food Network was mind blowing. A girl who did not go to school to be a chef but was able to showcase her craft," DiGrazia said. DiGrazia has always had to wear her strength and confidence on her sleeve, since escaping Sierra Leone to the neighboring country of Guinea with her family. There her talents for fashion and food emerged through the talents of her late mother, Fatmata Binta Bah. "I am super grateful not to just represent Sierra Leone, but to represent Louisiana as a whole, but specifically the mecca of food... let us rise above New Orleans, because I believe Shreveport-Bossier is the mecca of food," DiGrazia said. DiGrazia was born in Sierra Leone but has lived in the United States for 12 years. "I've lived in places, but not as long as I've lived in the United States of America," she said. When DiGrazia moved to Shreveport, she said she had to showcase the places she lived out of necessity. "I wanted an African place that I can go to and eat good food. I wanted a place where I can go to and shop for good clothing, and it happened to be not available in this area where I find myself," DiGrazia said. "Out of necessity, I was able to create a shopping experience in my home, and then gradually have people taste my food, and they were able to encourage me to take this out into the world and let other people try what I have to offer." She said this opportunity on Food Network didn't just happen by mistake, it's because she has had to put in the work. DiGrazia said it started with an email. "I thought it was a scam," she said. "I didn't think it was real, because all of the chefs in the city they're choosing Chef Niema." She said she responded to one of the emails with her phone number stating if it was a scammer they would not call her. Shortly after that email she got a call asking if she had ever heard of the show "Beat Bobby Flay." "I was flying out from Washington, D.C., to Shreveport, and I paused and did a dance at the airport," she said. "Then I went back to the phone, and I said, 'Yes, actually, he's my icon.' And they were like, 'We know you didn't apply for this, so we wanted to see if you're available.'" DiGrazia agreed to the competition and said, "any opportunities that fall on my lap, I take it. It's either win or lose. But one thing I'm going to do, I'm going to show up, show out and be myself." To watch DiGrazia on the big screen tune in at 8 p.m. Thursday, May 29, on The Food Network. To show your support, tag any private watch parties with #ChefNiema, #BeatBobbyFlay, #ShreveportBossier and #AbbySinger's. "Niematulai means gift from God. So, I feel like I am a gift to this state and to this wonderful city," DiGrazia said. More: 5 people to watch in arts and entertainment in Shreveport, Bossier City in 2022 Makenzie Boucher is a reporter with the Shreveport Times. Contact her at mboucher@ This article originally appeared on Shreveport Times: Chef Niema to appear on Food Network's Beat Bobby Flay May 29
Yahoo
09-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Bossier City native Jared Leto readies for upcoming movie 'Tron: Ares'
BOSSIER CITY, La. (KTAL/KMSS) — After years in development, the sequel to Disney's hit movie 'Tron: Legacy' is finally on its way, featuring Bossier City native Jared Leto. 'Tron: Ares,' set to be released in October, follows the events of the second installment in the Tron franchise, which began with the original film released in 1982. According to IMDb, Jared Leto will star in the film as a sophisticated program named Ares. The character is sent from the digital world to the real world on a dangerous mission, marking humankind's first encounter with an artificial intelligence being. This year's Masked Singer winner to headline R&B Jazz festival In the movie trailer, fans witness a clash between the two worlds, suggesting a hostile takeover. The film continues from where the second movie, 'Tron: Legacy,' concluded. In the second installment, a digital program played by Jeff Bridges gathered an army to merge the two worlds. Although they failed in their initial attempt, it seems that the digital programs are now succeeding in their efforts to create the world envisioned by their predecessor. Fans will be thrilled to hear that Jeff Bridges is returning for 'Tron: Ares.' However, it remains unclear which of his characters will make an appearance on the big screen. Alongside Bridges and Jared Leto, the film will also feature a talented cast that includes Gillian Anderson, Evan Peters, Greta Lee, Sarah Desjardins, and Jodie Turner-Smith. Shreveport chef to appear on Food Network's 'Beat Bobby Flay' Jared Leto is no stranger to playing characters in science fiction films. Next year, he will also star in the superhero movie 'Masters of the Universe,' which tells the story of a young man on Earth who discovers a hidden legacy. Leto also appeared in 'Blade Runner 2049,' alongside Harrison Ford and Ryan Gosling, as well as in Marvel's action-horror film 'Morbius.' 'Tron: Ares', directed by Joachim Rønning, will be released in theaters on October 10. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
08-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Shreveport chef to appear on Food Network's 'Beat Bobby Flay'
SHREVEPORT, La. (KTAL/KMSS) — The executive chef of Abby Singer's Bistro in Shreveport will compete on the Food Network. Chef Niema DiGrazia is scheduled to appear on the popular Food Network competition series 'Beat Bobby Flay.' In this show, contestants compete against each other, and the winner gets the opportunity to challenge the host, Bobby Flay, to see who can prepare a better version of the contestant's signature dish. Academy-award winner Billy Bob Thornton coming to Bossier City 'Appearing on a Food Network program is more than just a personal milestone — it's a moment of representation. For me, it's a chance to show the world that African cuisine, particularly from Sierra Leone, deserves a seat at the global table,' said Chef Niema. 'Food allows me to honor my ancestors, my heritage, my mother's fire, and the flavors that raised me.' She added that Shreveport has given her the platform to grow, build, and be seen. Chef Niema showcases her diverse culinary background through her social media channels, drawing inspiration from locations such as Paris, France, and her homeland of Sierra Leone in West Africa. Over the years, she has established herself as a prominent chef, starting as the executive chef at Abby Singer's Bistro in Shreveport alongside her husband, Chef de Cuisine Matthew DiGrazia. She also owns a brick-and-mortar establishment, 'Niema's Cookery Corner,' which features West African and Caribbean flavors. Beyonce adds this Louisiana native to Cowboy Carter tour setlist You can watch Chief Niema on the Food Network on Thursday, May 29, during the episode titled 'Fight Like a Lion,' at 8:00 p.m. Central Time. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to
