SHREVEPORT, La. (KSLA) – A Shreveport chef is about to compete on the national stage.
Robinson Film Center just announced that the executive chef of Abby Singer’s Bistro, Chef Neima DiGrazia, is set to appear on Food Network’s series, “Beat Bobby Flay.” The episode, which is called “Fight Like a Lion,” is set to air Thursday, May 29 at 8 p.m. on Food Network.
Originally from Sierra Leone, Chef Niema says she draws a lot of her inspiration from the flavors of west Africa, combining those flavors with classical techniques and contemporary Caribbean and southern influences. Chef Niema joined Abby Singer’s in 2024 with her husband, Matthew, who is the chef de cuisine at Abby’s. The two of them have revitalized the menu, adding new dishes that reflect Chef Niema’s background.
PREVIOUS VIDEO: Chef Niema DiGrazia joins Abby Singer’s Bistro at Robinson Film Center
“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. At the same time, Louisiana — and Shreveport especially — has given me the platform to grow, to build, and to be seen. I am a proud African woman, but I’m also deeply connected to this Southern soil that embraced me. Every time I cook, I carry both places in my spirit — the boldness of Sierra Leone and the soul of Louisiana — and I let them dance together on the plate.”
“Chef Niema’s journey from Sierra Leone to Shreveport—and now to national television—is nothing short of inspirational,” said Wendell Riley, executive director of the Robinson Film Center. “Her food has elevated the Abby Singer’s experience, and we are thrilled to see her talent recognized on a national stage, and this is only the beginning.”
Abby Singer’s Bistro is on the second floor of the Robinson Film Center in downtown Shreveport. Diners can sit inside or on the balcony overlooking downtown. Click here to make reservations, or call 318-459-4125.
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