In this episode we are joined by Raleigh Star Chef, Cheetie Kumar, who has been profiled by the New York Times and the Wall Street Journal. She has been recognized as someone to watch in the culinary world, with numerous James Beard award nominations. Her new restaurant Ajja has opened up recently in Raleigh, and serves delicious  She is also known to master her crafts in the music industry as a guitarist in her band known as “Birds of Avalon”, a rock band hailing from Raleigh, North Carolina.

Born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Kumar opens up about her time spent in the kitchen with her mother and grandmother in her younger years. Through her family's cultural roots, Cheetie shares that every new home was anchored by food, and was used as a powerful tool for memory and connection. Through these connections, she was also drawn to the wonderful world of music, brewing her passions of both culinary and melody, for most of her life. 

Her inspirations illuminate throughout her creations, championing through each path she lays before her. As Cheetie continues to grow in her knowledge and skill, she becomes a force in the kitchen and rock-star on tour, amplifying and empowering her voice