Get ready to turn up the heat with Got Chef, a sizzling new digital mini-series hosted by Emmy Award–winning culinary producer and chef Anthony Contrino. Anthony takes viewers behind the pass at four of the nation’s most buzzworthy restaurants, which all happen to all be located right in the NYC area. In this series, we’ll be featuring Shukette with Ayesha Nurdjaja, Razza with Dan Richer, Gotham Burger Social Club with Mike Puma, and Settepani with Bilena Settepani. Each episode dishes out mouthwatering creativity, culinary chemistry, and bold flavors, with dairy as the delicious star, bringing every recipe to life.
Episode 1: Ayesha Nurdjaja & Shukette
Ayesha Nurdjaja, is a James Beard Award finalist for Best Chef: New York State, and the executive chef at Shuka and Shukette, two of New York City’s most beloved Eastern Mediterranean restaurants. Brooklyn-born to an Indonesian father and Italian mother, Ayesha brings bold, globally inspired flavors to her cooking, blending her diverse heritage with a passion for vibrant, seasonal ingredients. Her food reflects both her roots and her creative spirit, making every dish a celebration of culture and connection.
Ayesha is known for her bold, flavor-packed dips and spreads so in this episode, she and Anthony team up to bring her signature touch to create a Spicy Tomato Jam & Basil Yogurt Dip, which turns simple ingredients into a vibrant, crave-worthy appetizer.
Recipe: Spicy Tomato Jam & Basil Yogurt Dip
Episode 2: Dan Richer
Dan Richer, chef and owner of Razza in Jersey City, has spent more than two decades perfecting what many call America’s most thoughtful pizza. A Rutgers graduate who famously skipped his own commencement to study in Italy, Richer immersed himself in the art, science, and soul of pizza-making. His relentless pursuit of perfection has earned him multiple James Beard Award nominations, a New York Times three-star review, and the title of Best Pizza in North America from 50 Best.
Known for his almost scientific precision, Richer approaches pizza as both craft and philosophy. Measuring every pie against a 60-point rubric that considers everything from dough texture and flavor balance to the physics of heat. At Razza, his dedication translates into an experience that celebrates simplicity, integrity, and terroir. Each slice is a study in harmony, where technique meets intuition, and humble ingredients become something transcendent.
Recipe: Pizza Bianca
Episode 3: Mike Puma
After a 30-year career on Wall Street, Mike Puma traded stocks for spatulas to transform his lifelong passion for burgers into a full-blown culinary phenomenon. As the founder of the Gotham Burger Social Club, what began as a quest to find New York City’s best burger evolved into one of its most sought-after pop-up experiences.
Known for his signature “Gotham Smash,” Puma has served hundreds of thousands of burgers to loyal fans, blending nostalgic flavor, New York grit, and entrepreneurial spirit into every bite.
Recipe: Fried Chicken Sandwich with Herb Pickle Ranch
