Alisa Reynolds

Alisa Reynolds embarked on her professional journey as a visual merchandiser designer for Saks Fifth Avenue Beverly Hills; however, her passion steered her toward the culinary world. Her extensive experience in the food sector is evident through her work with top chefs in Los Angeles, including Chef Hans Rockenwagner, Joachim Splichal, and Fred Erich, and her collaboration with Celebrity Chef David Burke at his legendary Park Avenue Café in New York City. In addition to her time in renowned kitchens, she showcased her entrepreneurial spirit by opening her own critically acclaimed restaurant, Paio, in Los Angeles's Silver Lake neighborhood in 1998 and My Two Cents in 2013.

Reynolds's expertise extends beyond the kitchen. She has worked in TV and film production, covering a range of roles from wardrobe to postproduction. Her charisma and knowledge of food were later channeled into hosting roles for the hit Hulu show "Searching for Soul Food" and the podcast "My Last Meal with Chef Alisa." Her contributions to the culinary world were recognized in 2024 when she was nominated by the James Beard Foundation as Best Chef: California.

Reynolds has catered for distinguished occasions, including the Golden Globes, CAA Party, IFF Awards, and Sundance Festival. Her clientele is diverse and impressive, featuring names like Joaquin Phoenix, Levi's, Nike, Barack Obama, and Oprah Winfrey. In 2021, Beats by Dre honored her efforts with their FlowersForBlackWoman program, further cementing her reputation in the industry.