Greenwich Village Chef Named James Beard Award Finalist

GREENWICH VILLAGE, NY — Greenwich Villagers might want to prepare to make reservations as a neighborhood chef has been named a 2022 James Beard Award Finalist.

The prestigious culinary prize shortened their previously announced semifinalists, which included a wider swath of Big Apple eateries and cooks, to this list of nominees. From here, the crème de la crème will be chosen.

"Winners will be celebrated at the James Beard Restaurant and Chef Awards ceremony on Monday, June 13, 2022, at the Lyric Opera of Chicago," the James Beard Foundation's announcement states.

Out of the four Greenwich Village eateries and chefs named James Beard semifinalists, chef Ayesha Nurdjaja was the only neighborhood figure to then get named a finalist.

Here's more information about the Greenwich Village chef.

Ayesha Nurdjaja at Shuka: 38 MacDougal Street

Nurdjaja is the executive chef of Shuka, a Mediterranean restaurant that serves a menu of "provocative dishes that highlight local, seasonal ingredients."

Nurdjaja was born and raised in Brooklyn to an Indonesian father and an Italian mother.

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"Growing up, she was always inspired by her father’s cooking and his use of exotic flavors, but her entrepreneurial spirit first lead her to pursue a business degree at Pace University," an About section on Shuka's website reads. "After graduating in 2000, she found herself hosting dinner parties for friends and realized that food is where her true passion lies, so she enrolled at the Institute of Culinary Education."

Nurdjaja went on to work in the kitchens at Bar Artisanal and Michelin-starred restaurants Picholine and A Voce, before becoming executive chef at II Bordello.

In 2017 she helped open Shuka.

"When she’s not in the kitchen, Ayesha enjoys a nice glass of scotch, traveling everywhere from the Amalfi Coast to the Aegean Sea and discovering antique pieces for her ever-expanding jewelry collection," the About section reads.

Shuka's dinner menu includes sirloin steak kebabs, whipped feta and pistachio, crispy cauliflower, grilled lamb and much more.

The Greenwich Village restaurant also has an extensive cocktail selection.

You can find out more about Shuka on its website.