ABBY SINGER’S BISTRO EXECUTIVE CHEF NIEMA DIGRAZIA TO COMPETE ON FOOD NETWORK’S “BEAT BOBBY FLAY”
Shreveport, LA – Robinson Film Center is proud to announce that Chef Niema DiGrazia, Executive Chef at Abby Singer’s Bistro, will appear on the Food Network’s hit culinary competition series Beat Bobby Flay. The episode, titled “Fight Like a Lion”, premieres Thursday, May 29th at 8:00 p.m. CT.
Chef Niema brings a rich culinary heritage and global sensibility to the Shreveport food scene. Originally from Sierra Leone, she draws inspiration from the vibrant flavors of West Africa, combining them with classical techniques and contemporary Caribbean and Southern influences. Chef Niema, who joined Abby Singer’s Bistro in 2024 alongside her husband, Chef de Cuisine Matthew DiGrazia, has revitalized the bistro’s menu with innovative dishes that reflect her diverse culinary background. Her appearance on Beat Bobby Flay showcases her growing national reputation for bold, soulful cuisine and innovative culinary storytelling.
“Appearing on a Food Network program is more than just a personal milestone — it’s a moment of representation. For me, it’s a chance to show the world that African cuisine, particularly from Sierra Leone, deserves a seat at the global table,” said Chef Niema. “Food allows me to honor my ancestors, my heritage, my mother’s fire, and the flavors that raised me. At the same time, Louisiana — and Shreveport especially — has given me the platform to grow, to build, and to be seen. I am a proud African woman, but I’m also deeply connected to this Southern soil that embraced me. Every time I cook, I carry both places in my spirit — the boldness of Sierra Leone and the soul of Louisiana — and I let them dance together on the plate.”
“Chef Niema’s journey from Sierra Leone to Shreveport—and now to national television—is nothing short of inspirational,” said Wendell Riley, Executive Director of Robinson Film Center. “Her food has elevated the Abby Singer’s experience, and we are thrilled to see her talent recognized on a national stage, and this is only the beginning.”
Located on the second floor of Robinson Film Center, Abby Singer’s Bistro is a full-service restaurant that offers a seasonally inspired menu, an intimate dining atmosphere, and the city’s only public balcony overlooking downtown Shreveport. The bistro complements RFC’s diverse film programming, creating a one-of-a-kind cultural and culinary destination in downtown Shreveport.
For more information about Abby Singer’s Bistro, and to make reservations, visit https://robinsonfilmcenter.org/abby-singers-bistro or call (318) 459-4125. For additional information about the episode, visit: https://www.foodnetwork.com/shows/beat-bobby-flay/episodes/fight-like-a-lion
Robinson Film Center, a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit arts organization based in Shreveport, educates, enriches and entertains through the power of film. RFC exhibits independent, international and classic cinema daily in two movie theaters, with a full-service bistro and special events space upstairs. RFC provides film history and media literacy classes for all ages, focusing strongly on K-12 students and senior citizens. RFC also supports outreach programs that promote and strengthen the state’s film industry.
