Latest news with #Niema
Yahoo
31-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Shreveport's Chef Niema Beats Bobby Flay on Food Network
SHREVEPORT, La. (KTAL/KMSS) — Shreveport's Chef Niema DiGrazia reigned triumphant; her episode aired last night, and she defeated none other than Food Network Chef Bobby Flay. Chef Niema, Executive Chef at Abby Singer's Bistro, held a watch party on May 29 to watch the episode titled 'Fight Like a Tiger.' Family, friends, and community members gathered to watch Chef tell the world, 'I beat Bobby Flay!' The crowd roared with excitement as she won while representing her Sierra Leonean. Chef Niema's winning dish, 'Maffé,' is a West African peanut butter stew made with shrimp. 'This moment means the world to me,' said Chef Niema. 'To stand on a national stage and bring my culture, my roots, and my adopted hometown of Shreveport into the spotlight is something I'll always be proud of. This isn't just a win for me—it's a win for every young Black woman, every immigrant, and every Southern chef who's ever dared to take up space in this industry.' Chef Niema provides guests with unique dining experience In the episode's round 1, Chef Niema went against Chef Solomon Johnson; both contestants' mission was to highlight mango in their dish. Chef Niema's mango salad received high praise despite concerns about the mango skin being left on. Chef Niema advanced to the second and final round against Bobby Flay. Mama Tanya gave Chef Niema's Maffé the 'eeow!' of approval, while Chef Bobby Flay's did not meet the judges' expectations. In 2024, alongside her husband, Chef de Cuisine Matthew DiGrazia, Abby Singer's Bistro transformed the restaurant's menu with a fusion of West African, Caribbean, and Southern influences. 'Chef Niema's win is not just a personal achievement—it's a point of pride for the entire Shreveport-Bossier region,' said Wendell Riley, Executive Director of Robinson Film Center. 'She embodies everything Abby Singer's Bistro stands for: delicious and creative food, cultural richness, and heart.' Farm Shares: deliver fresh veggies, milk, eggs and more Abby Singer's Bistro is located on the second floor of Robinson Film Center in downtown Shreveport. Robinson Film Center is a nonprofit arts organization that brings film education, independent cinema, and culinary culture to Northwest Louisiana. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
30-05-2025
- 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
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
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
