Rougui Dia

Rougui Dia (born 1976) is a French chef, who is internationally renowned. She is the first Black woman to be the executive chef at a Michelin-star restaurant. She is known as the “New Black Pearl of Paris,” comparing her to Josephine Baker, and the “African Queen of Parisian Cuisine".

Dia enrolled in vocational and catering classes at the École Hôtelière Villepinte. She graduated with her certificat d'aptitude professionnelle in 1996. She continued studying there until 1999, when she received her practitioner's certification. While there, she incorporated Senegalese, Indian, and Caribbean cuisine into the menu.

Awards

2024: Semi-finalist for Best Chef: Mountain (with Aminata Dia), James Beard Foundation Award 2014: Trofemina Trophy