It all started when Mariya was a little girl, making mud pies in the dirt, pretending to have a cooking show. Eventually, she learned to cook for herself and her friends and family. She grew up in Springfield, Ohio, in a large loving family, where food was always at the center of every get-together. Family taught her the meaning and importance of community through food and loving gatherings. From grandma’s house and church basements; to Red Lobster and Perkins. The Moores and Pitts always dined together. It was there where her love and passion for the craft began to grow. Following that passion led her to discover how food could be much more than what she had grown up eating and helped her to accomplish so much in the industry. After high school, Mariya moved to Chicago, received her culinary degree, and began working her way up in various restaurants. She spent about 15 years working through both Front and Back- of- House positions; building a reputation of excellence by being intentional about who she worked for and following her heart.

Before the pandemic, as Chef de Cuisine of Kumiko and Kikko, Russell’s simplistic, creative, and precise take on gastronomy enhanced the high-end cocktail bar with an attention to detail that highlighted the honest beauty of fresh ingredients. In 2019, she became the first Black woman to ever receive a Michelin star two days before her 30th birthday. In 2020, Chef Mariya decided to pivot her career in the direction of entrepreneurship. She moved to Hawaii on a journey to find and embrace what she ultimately wanted in life. On this journey she learned more about her values, prioritized rest, and figured out the next steps of her newfound visions for the future. The last couple of years have been based around pop-ups, and chef collaborations, which led her to the creation of her new concept, Connie’s Underground Supper Club! The supper club is still under development but look out for more information soon.