Marissa Scognamiglio 
Across Hoboken, Jersey City, and beyond, many women are leading restaurants, launching culinary businesses, and sharing their skills with the community through food. In honor of Women’s History Month, we’re spotlighting 10 female chefs whose work continues to influence the Hudson County dining scene. Read on to learn more about the chefs behind these inspiring local businesses.
Adi Booker | Lead Chef at Hudson Table, Hoboken
Born and raised in Israel, Adi Booker discovered her love for baking at a young age and turned it into a full-fledged career. After moving to the U.S. in 2015 and graduating top of her class from The International Culinary Center’s pastry arts program, she first gained experience at some of the most notable bakeries in NYC. Lucky for us, she brought her talents to Hudson Table, where she now serves as Lead Chef, sharing her expertise and love for teaching with every class. Learn from the best with Chef Adi and sign up for a class here.
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Casey Repetti | Celebrity Chef, Hoboken
From competing on Food Network’s Cooks vs. Cons to running a successful catering business and building a dedicated audience as a food blogger, Casey Repetti has built an impressive culinary résumé. Today, she is a private chef to New York Yankee Jazz Chisholm Jr., a role that has “literally felt like my dream come true,” Casey shared with us. “Having the freedom to cook all different types of dishes for him to enjoy and being able to study Bahamian food and perfect that as well has been such an awesome experience.” A Hoboken native and proud Redwing alum, Casey continues to make our community proud, and we love following along with her mouthwatering creations on social.
Emma Taylor | Head Chef + Owner Milk Sugar Love, Jersey City
Emma Taylor traces the inspiration for her creamery and bakeshop, Milk Sugar Love, back to a classic Jersey Shore moment: enjoying Kohr Brothers ice cream on the boardwalk. “I use only fresh, all-natural milk and cream for the richest, cleanest taste, and I insist on working within the seasons to take advantage of all the great fruits and vegetables grown right here in my home state of New Jersey,” says Emma, as she describes Milk Sugar Love’s beginnings on its website. Today, with storefronts in both Jersey City and Asbury Park, Emma carefully curates a menu with fun flavors like Lemon Olive Oil and Guava Cream Cheese, earning Milk Sugar Love the #2 ranking for Best Ice Cream Shop in New Jersey by NJ.com.
Kiersten Gormeley | Head Chef + Co-Founder of Shaka Kitchen, Hoboken
Those familiar with Hoboken’s Shaka Kitchen already know all of the fun, fresh, and tropical flavors Chef Kiersten and team continue to wow us with. Long before the beloved staple opened in Hoboken in 2016, the casual, island-inspired eatery was born out of the time Kiersten and her sister and co-founder, Krista Gormeley, spent living in Hawaii. Inspired by how fresh, wholesome ingredients could come together to create nourishing meals, Shaka was born. You can also follow along as Kiersten continues to share new menu items and home cooking inspo on TikTok.
Marla Mendelsohn | Founder of Cook Ease Catering, Hoboken
Step into Chef Marla Mendelsohn’s state-of-the-art Hoboken kitchen and you’ll find guests of all ages learning, celebrating, and cooking together. A self-taught chef herself and certified teacher, Marla embodies what makes Hudson County’s food community so special: building family and connection through great food. “My classes focus on social and work groups gathering around hands-on instruction, great food, and good times,” Chef Marla shared with us. Check out Cook Ease Catering’s full list of class offerings here.
Michal Prevor | Founder of Babka Bailout, Jersey City
Babka Bailout might just be one of the most fitting (and cutest) bakery names we’ve ever heard. What began as small batches of baked goods as a way to cope and support her community through the pandemic grew into something much greater for CEO and Founder Michal Prevor. “I never set out to become a baker, but it has been the most fulfilling journey. Baking is an art, and every day I get to work at perfecting a skill,” Michal shared with us. For some of the most imaginative babka flavors we have ever seen, check out the menu here.
Michelle Berckes | Founder/Owner of Busy Bee Organics, Jersey City
After changing the way she approached food in her own life, Michelle Berckes felt inspired to share that philosophy with her community through Busy Bee Organics. After becoming a certified Natural Food Chef, the Jersey City–based founder built the business around the idea of “food as fuel,” creating nutrient-dense, sustainable meals designed for people constantly on the go. “Whether it’s a family in the suburbs or a professional in the city, I want to give our neighbors the gift of time and the peace of mind that comes with nutrient-dense, plant-forward meals,” Michelle told us. Check out their full list of services here, for all you busy bees out there.
Monica Velis | Founder of El Gordo, Jersey City
Founded nearly 30 years ago by Chef Monica Velis, El Gordo is a true testament to female leadership in the culinary world. Monica built the business from the ground up, developing the traditional Peruvian recipes that still define the menu today. Now joined by her daughters, Madison and Lizeth, as part owners, this family-run restaurant continues to honor Monica’s vision, serving authentic Peruvian cuisine rooted in tradition and community. Check out the full menu here or visit the Jersey City location at 291 Central Avenue.
Nur-E Gulshan Rahman | Head Chef at Korai Kitchen, Jersey City
Self-taught cook and James Beard–nominated chef Nur-E Gulshan Rahman is the heart behind Korai Kitchen, a Jersey City restaurant dedicated to celebrating the depth and beauty of Bangladeshi cuisine. “After living in Jersey City for 40 years, it means so much to share that love of cooking with the community that has been my home for so long,” she shared with us. Korai Kitchen is a true passion project for Chef Nur-E Gulshan Rahman and her daughter, Nur-E Farhana Rahman, with every plate offering a heartfelt glimpse into their culture. If you want to “let Amma (Bengali for “mom”) feed you” and learn more about Korai Kitchen, visit the website here.
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Reena Sharma Ramlakhan, “Chef Sweet Lady R” | Private Chef and Founder of Sweet Lady R Catering, Bayonne
Reena Sharma Ramlakhan fell in love with cooking by her mother’s side being raised in a Guyanese household where food was the heartbeat of the home.. Following her mother’s passing, “Chef Sweet Lady R” was born as a tribute to that legacy, transforming her passion into a catering and private chef business. “My Indo-Caribbean heritage and my American upbringing in Jersey City are woven into everything I create through Chef Sweet Lady R Catering,” Reena shared with us.
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