ABBY SINGER’S EXECUTIVE CHEF NIEMA DIGRAZIA WINS ON FOOD NETWORK’S “BEAT BOBBY FLAY”
Shreveport, LA – Robinson Film Center is thrilled to announce that Chef Niema DiGrazia, Executive Chef at Abby Singer’s Bistro, emerged victorious on the Food Network’s hit show Beat Bobby Flay, winning her episode titled “Fight Like a Lion,” which aired May 29, 2025.
Representing both her Sierra Leonean roots and the bold culinary energy of Shreveport, Chef Niema stunned the judges with her skill, creativity, and signature soul-infused style—ultimately defeating celebrity chef Bobby Flay in the final cook-off featuring peanut butter stew or Maafe, as it is known in her Fulani tribe.
“This moment means the world to me,” said Chef Niema. “To stand on a national stage and bring my culture, my roots, and my adopted hometown of Shreveport into the spotlight is something I’ll always be proud of. This isn’t just a win for me—it’s a win for every young Black woman, every immigrant, and every Southern chef who’s ever dared to take up space in this industry.”
Niema’s victory follows a career of culinary excellence grounded in global flavor and community impact. Since joining Abby Singer’s Bistro in 2024 alongside her husband, Chef de Cuisine Matthew DiGrazia, she has transformed the restaurant’s menu with a fusion of West African, Caribbean, and Southern influences.
“Chef Niema’s win is not just a personal achievement—it’s a point of pride for the entire Shreveport-Bossier region,” said Wendell Riley, Executive Director of Robinson Film Center. “She embodies everything Abby Singer’s Bistro stands for: delicious and creative food, cultural richness, and heart.”
Located on the second floor of Robinson Film Center in downtown Shreveport, Abby Singer’s Bistro is a full-service restaurant offering a seasonally inspired menu and the city’s only public dining balcony. It complements RFC’s mission to educate, enrich, and entertain through film—and now, food.
Come celebrate Chef Niema’s victory and taste what all the buzz is about. Reservations and menu details available at robinsonfilmcenter.org/abby-singers-bistro
