Chef Myisha “Maya” Mastersson is a culinary historian, author, TV personality, and the founder of the Black Roux Culinary Collective. A native to Detroit, she found her culinary calling in her great- grandmother’s garden. She is a graduate of Baltimore International College with a bachelor’s degree In Culinary arts and Management. Her career has taken her across the country and around the world cooing and eating cultures and traditions before settling in New Orleans in 2019 and launching Black Roux Culinary Collective. She served as Executive chef at the Marqueen hotel, Manhattan Seattle, and private supper club executive chef for The Ruins before leaving restaurants behind and launching Celebrity Chef Maya LLC in Seattle. Fancy Ass Olives, her artisan olive brand, was launched after her win on Food Network’s critically acclaimed Guy’s Grocery Games, using the winnings to take her business and product to the next level. She went on to appear on GGG again in a Tournament of Champions in season 12, Chopped in 2023 as well as Tailgate Throwdown (airing in 2024) and several other soon-to-be aired appearances.

Black Roux Culinary Collective includes: The SOUL super club, her bi-monthly invite to her ancestor’s table where Maya’s “culinary essay” exploring the culinary lineage of the African Diaspora immerses the guest in cultural and food traditions impacted by the trans-Atlantic slave trade. This experience will be appearing on TV late 2023 as well as filming a pilot episode for network tv. Black Roux Travel: (launching 2024) expanding on the SOUL series offering local and international culinary- historical tours. Black Roux Catering: serving weddings, corporate and other large-scale events.