On the Pursuit of Happiness with Mariya Russell

This week we are catching up with our friend Mariya Russell, and while she may have left Chicago, but she most certainly has not left our hearts. Does that name ring a bell? It should! During her time in Chicago she became the first Black woman to win a Michelin star for her work at Kumiko/Kikko. As you’ll learn in our episode, her talents extend far beyond creating beautiful dishes and reach towards humanizing the experience of the restaurant worker and creating an experience where guests can escape their every day lives to relax and feel safe in their environment. Mariya Russell grew up in Springfield, OH, where she spent most of her time with family and fondly remembers enjoying the comforts of the homemade food that made up every meal. She also developed a habit of watching and learning from cooking shows with her mom and aunts, which led her to discover that food could be much more than what she had grown up eating. She moved to Chicago, received her culinary degree, and began working in the field. She spent over 10 years working her way up, through both Front- & Back-of-House positions, building a reputation of excellence. As Chef de Cuisine of Kumiko, Russell’s simplistic, yet precise, take on gastronomy enhanced the high-end cocktail bar with an attention to detail that highlighted the honest beauty of fresh ingredients. In 2019 she became the first Black woman to receive a Michelin Star, 2 days before her 30th birthday. She currently resides in Hawaii, exploring new culinary endeavors and embracing life more fully. When not occupied in the kitchen, Russell relaxes by practicing yoga, reading, or spending time with her husband, family, and friends.