Cheetie Kumar

Cheetie Kumar is the chef/owner of Ajja, a restaurant in Raleigh’s Five Points neighborhood that draws inspiration from the diverse foodways and cultures, vibrant spices, and cooking techniques of the  Mediterranean, the Middle East and beyond. Ajja opened in June 2023 and is a James Beard Foundation  Award semifinalist for Best New Restaurant. Ajja was also named an Esquire Best New Restaurant and  Eater’s Best New Carolina's Restaurant.  Kumar has been profiled in The New York Times, Southern Living and The Wall Street Journal, among  many other national publications. She is active in food advocacy and serves on the board of the  Independent Restaurant Coalition, the Southern Foodways Alliance and several North Carolina-based  organizations. She is also a member of World Central Kitchen’s Chef Corps, a global network of  culinary leaders who champion World Central Kitchen’s work providing fresh meals following crises.