Mariya Russell

Mariya Moore-Russell
Born	circa 1989 Springfield, Ohio, U.S.
Occupation(s)	Chef, restaurateur
Years active	2008–present
Known for	First black woman to receive a Michelin star (2019)

Mariya Moore-Russell (born circa 1989) is an African American chef and restaurateur recognized as the first black woman to receive a Michelin star in September 2019 while employed at Kumiko and Kikkō.

Biography

Raised in Springfield, Ohio, Mariya Moore-Russell spent her early years with her family before relocating to Columbus, Ohio for her high school education. It was there that a career academy introduced her to culinary arts. Subsequently, she moved to Chicago and completed her studies at The Cooking and Hospitality Institute of Chicago in 2008.

Career

During her time in Chicago, Russell gained experience working at several establishments including Uncommon Ground, Green Zebra, The Bristol, Nellcote, and Senza. Her tenure at Green Zebra led to connections with Cara and Noah Sandoval, who later invited her to join their teams at Kumiko and Kikkō. She then spent three years living in Charleston, South Carolina alongside her then-husband, chef Garrett Russell. Following the passing of her father and facing difficulties as a black woman in Charleston, she returned to Chicago in 2016. Initially joining Oriole as a server that year, she quickly advanced to sous-chef and then chef de cuisine by 2018. Noah Sandoval subsequently brought her on board to oversee the kitchen at Kumiko and Kikkō.

In September 2019, just before turning 30, Russell achieved a Michelin star for her work at Kumiko and Kikkō. Shortly thereafter, she announced a hiatus from professional cooking to prioritize her personal health due to the intense demands of the position.

Transitioning toward business ventures, she relocated to Hawaii in August 2020. Upon returning to the continental United States, Russell has focused on hosting pop-up events and engaging in collaborative projects with other chefs.