Future of Diversity Guest Chef Program
The Future of Diversity Guest Chef Program features guest chefs and artisans of color to showcase their culinary talents, delicious food and drink, and other interesting concepts at Osteria la Spiga.
Founded in 2021 by la Spiga’s head chef and owner, Sabrina Tinsley, the program was created to spotlight BIPOC chefs within the community. Through the series, emerging chefs are invited to cook in la Spiga’s kitchen, serve their dishes to new audiences, and share their stories. These events also provide opportunities for chefs to sell their products and connect with fellow food lovers who are passionate about global cuisine.
“I’ve always had a passion for different cultures, and I love meeting new chefs — learning about what they are doing in the community and seeing how they are showcasing their delicious foods,” Tinsley told Eater Seattle. “This program is one of the ways I’m choosing to connect with our BIPOC community, bringing us closer together, and helping chefs in the early stages of their concepts gain exposure.”
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UPCOMING FOD EVENTS
JUNE GUEST CHEF (Sunday, June 29th, 2025)
Chef Osiel Gastelum and Reynaldo Gastelum – Maarem
Maarem is a fine dining modern Mexican restaurant focusing on coastal Mexican cuisine. They give special emphasis to the great seafood of the PNW and all the bounties from the region, with a great commitment to working with what’s available seasonally and using sustainable sources.
JULY GUEST CHEF (Sunday, July 27th, 2025)
Chef Kevin Seila Topp – Selia
SEILA is the resilient effort to “rise above the ruins” of the past to confidently share unique Cambodian American upbringing. It is heavily inspired by the chefs Cambodian heritage and Texas born Southern roots.
AUGUST GUEST CHEF (Sunday, August 31st, 2025)
Chef Shri Repp and Vanitha Sabapathy – All Dal-ed Up
All Dal-ed Up is a vibrant, family-style dinner celebrating the power and versatility of dal—lentils in all their glory. From sprouted and fermented to savory and sweet, each dish is a delicious lesson in how this humble pantry staple shapes Indian cuisine. Part meal, part masterclass, the experience will educate guests to cook confidently with dal at home.
Interested in being a featured chef in the FOD series? fill out this form here
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Support & learn more about our previous Guest Chefs!
2025
APRIL GUEST CHEF
Chef Masitah and Safira – Masakan
Future of Diversity guest chef, mother and daughter duo, Masitah and Safira of Masakan took over the La Spiga kitchen to present a vibrant, multi-course meal celebrating the rich and aromatic flavors of Malay cuisine.
FEBRUARY GUEST CHEF
Chef Vicky Garcia – Rice, Beans, and Happiness
Vicky and her team are on a mission to share delicious, fresh and healthy Mexican food through their meal kits, pop up events, cooking classes and catering services throughout Seattle and East side. Vicky was Born in Mexico, raised in Texas. Now having lived in the Pacific Northwest for nearly 20 years, she is proud to be from both here and there. Rice, Beans & Happiness started in 2020 with the hope of packaging delicious food and spreading joy throughout her community during the dark days of the pandemic. Feeding friends and loved ones, spending time around the table, and sharing delicious food is Vicky's passion and love language.
2024
SEPTEMBER GUEST CHEF
Chef Kausar Ahmed – Karachi Kitchen
Known for producing preservative-free Pakistani spices and Chutneys made using small-batch production methods, Karachi Kitchen is a family-owned, mother-daughter business that utilizes generations-old techniques and beloved recipes. The 5-course dinner will regional favorites including okra chips, spiced orange salad, Masala fish, potato cutlets, Dum Kay Pasanday, and bread pudding.
JUNE GUEST CHEF
Chef Alex Dorros – Siembra
Osteria La Spiga hosted a special night of communion, conversation, and vibrant flavors with chef Alex Dorros of Siembra. Guests enjoyed a five-course dinner inspired by South American flavors and the Pacific Northwest, with the option to purchase home stone-ground arepas and recreate the experience in their kitchens.
2023
APRIL GUESTS
Chef Karen Sandoval and Efrem Fesaha – Bakescapade and Boon Boona Coffee
Guests enjoyed a scrumptious brunch featuring Mexican-inspired "concha French toast" prepared by guest chef Karen Sandoval of Bakescapade. The brunch was complemented by delicious brews from Boon Boona Coffee.
2022
FEBRUARY GUESTS
Chef Sabrina, Sachia, and Trisha Tinsley – Verdunville Kitchen
Verdunville Kitchen is a culinary concept bridging the passion of three sisters—Sabrina Tinsley, Executive Chef and co-owner of Osteria la Spiga; Sachia Tinsley, Executive Chef and co-owner of Peyrassol Café; and youngest sister Trisha Tinsley—their robust Verdun lineage, and their Louisiana heritage.
Watch Interview
MARCH GUEST CHEF DUO
Elvia Escobar & Jessica Juarez – Como en Casa
Elvia and Jessica moved to Seattle 20 years ago. Each came from a family of women where cooking was their passion, and now, they consider cooking as the center point of their lives. Their goal is to give happiness through their food, and make people feel truly at home. They create traditional Mexican and Salvadoran dishes with incredible skill and flair.
Watch Interview
APRIL – SPECIAL COMMUNITY BOX
After receiving some sad very news about one of our previous guest chefs, Monica Wachira, our FOD community has pulled together to offer an exciting box full of items in order to raise funds to provide her with much needed resources. A big thank you to: Omaretta Sharpley, Chef Tina Fahnbulleh, Chef Sachia Tinsley & Sisters, Chef Wil Yee, Chef Elvia Escobar, Chef Gino García, Chef Mahogany Williams, Colina Bruce, Chefs Adama Jammeh & Oumie Sallah, Chef Natalie Evans, Chef Sabrina Tinsley, and Chef Michael Poole
MAY GUESTS
Virtual Mezcal Tasting Class & Dinner with Mezcalier Yesenia Pimentel and Chef Ana Sainz. Participants gained a new appreciation for Mezcal as Yesenia lead this engaging, in depth, 1 1/2 hour comprehensive course, which included tasting four different Mezcals with intriguing pairings. After the class, participants enjoyed the delicious and perfectly paired takeout dinner from Chef Ana.
View ClassWatch Yesenia InterviewWatch Ana Interview
JULY – GUEST CHEFS
Chef Gino García & Mike Kim – MexiKo and JJANG!
The concept: A marriage of two cuisines and cultures to represent both a literal marriage and the journey that Gino and Mike are on to bring far-away places closer to home. Their menu featured seafood and seasonal produce in a Korean-style meal with banchan infused with Mexican ingredients and techniques for a refreshing mid-summer dinner at la Spiga.
AUGUST GUEST CHEF
Rachel Ranti (AKA Chef V) – Marimakan Crabhouse
Marimakan Crabhouse specializes in cooking locally sourced PNW seafood with Southeast Asian flavors. Marimakan prepared an amazing crab dinner at la Spiga on Aug. 29th.
OCTOBER GUEST CHEF
Chef Emme Ribeiro-Collins – chefemme.com | Soul & Spice Catering
Chef Emme loves to share her delicious Afro-Brazilian foods in celebration of the rich blend of cultures and food origins represented by the African Diaspora, the indigenous people of Brazil and the Portuguese colonizers. Chef Emme won the title of Food Network's Chopped Champion; competed against Iron Chef America Alex Guarnaschelli on her hit show Alex vs. America; has appeared on a variety of television shows; and has been featured in numerous culinary publications.
NOVEMBER GUEST CHEF
Pastry Chef's Alice McCarthy and Nirav Vashi
A high tea event fit for a queen, conceptualized by our fabulous November pastry chefs. Guests revel in the ritual of sipping rich fragrant teas while savoring gourmet scones, delightful tea sandwiches and refined pastries.
2021
FEBRUARY GUEST CHEF
Chef Mahogany Williams – The Pickled Chef
The Pickled Chef is your gateway to all things soulful and satisfying, and Chef Mahogany's method is simple: reimagine comfort food favorites using modern global flavors.
Watch Interview
MARCH GUEST CHEF DUO
Natalie Evans & Carlington Noble – We Be JAMin’ Bakery
Afro-Caribbean chef Natalie and her Jamaican partner Carlington Noble turned to their Caribbean roots for their 3-course takeout dinner featuring favorite foods from their childhood.
Watch Interview
APRIL GUEST CHEF
Monica Wachira – Monique's Hot Kitchen
Chef Monica's goal is to serve the best Kenyan cuisine globally that the world has ever had, using the most natural ingredients available because she believes that fresh, organic food not only tastes better, but also is healthier.
Watch Interview
MAY GUEST CHEF
Wil Yee – Memoirs of a Gay Chef and Duos Catering
Filipino-born Chef Wil Yee is obsessed about retracing his roots and is starting a cookbook series where the mission is “healing through food.” His palate is hyper refined, and his technique is impeccable.
Watch Interview
JUNE GUEST CHEF
Shaili Parekh – Earth and Spice
Chef Shaili Parekh, a first-generation Indian American, is an avid forager, fermenter, and herbalist. She puts a Pacific Northwest twist on traditional Indian flavors with flare, grace and fantasy.
Watch Interview
JULY GUEST CHEF
Jalissa Horton – Chef Jalissa Culinary Co. and Chef J Cooks Club
Chef Jalissa takes pride in preparing delicious comfort food using flavors around the world. Her southern comfort dishes reflect her family’s favorite recipes inspired by the African Diaspora. She graduated from Johnson & Wales University, with a degree in Culinary Arts, and Florence University of Arts, Italy.
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AUGUST GUEST CHEF DUO
Adama Jammeh and Oumie Sallah – Afella Jollof Catering
Sisters Adama & Oumie share their wonderful Senegalese and Gambian heritage through a wide variety of authentic Senegambian dishes. Afella translates to "tastes good" in the Serere language spoken in Gambia & Senegal, and Jollof is a local name given to the place.
Watch Interview
SEPTEMBER GUEST CHEF & GUEST WINEMAKER
Chef Michael Poole – Hot Chocolat
Chef Poole is a retired Seattle fire officer, with more than 39 years of experience as a firehouse cook, concessionaire, and caterer. He has won several culinary awards, and is a three-time gold winner and recipient of the master’s award at the International Chocolate Salon. Chef Michael creates unforgettable delicacies that encourage you to have “just one more” again and again.
Winemaker Shae Frichette – Frichette Winery
Shae Frichette is the multi-award-winning co-owner and assistant winemaker at Frichette Winery, a limited production winery and tasting room in Washington's Red Mountain AVA. In 2013, Shae and her husband and co-owner decided they wanted to create a business that would "give them goosebumps" and joy, and Frichette Winery was born.
Watch Class & Interview