Ayesha Nurdjaja
Head Chef at Shuka & Shukette NYC
“As a chef, restaurateur and advocate for a more sustainable food system, it’s an honor to join forces with Dough Wines, a brand that shares my commitment to diversity and sustainability efforts and restaurant recovery. I look forward to continuing to amplify these ideals through my role as a Dough Wine ambassador.”
Born and raised in Brooklyn, Chef Ayesha is the daughter of an Indonesian father and Italian mother. Growing up, she was always inspired by her family’s cooking, which was marked by the use of exotic flavors and generous hospitality. Her entrepreneurial spirit first led her to pursue a business degree at Pace University, but she ultimately followed her passions and enrolled at the Institute of Culinary Education.
Chef Ayesha is now the Executive Chef and Partner at Shuka in New York City’s SoHo neighborhood and her newest venture, Shukette, the celebratory dining destination in Chelsea. At Shukette, Chef Ayesha applies her seasonally-minded philosophy and deep understanding of spices to Shukette’s vibrant and constantly changing menus of flavorful dips, salads and entrees from the crackling grill to showcase the region’s many cuisines, locally and sustainably sourced whenever possible. Both Shuka and Shukette are part of the Bowery Group and the menus champion the group’s focus on seasonality and sustainable sourcing. In 2022, Ayesha was recognized as a James Beard Award Nominee for Best Chef: New York State.
