13 Facts About Kwame Onwuachi

Kwame Onwuachi is an American chef based in New York City, New York.

Kwame Onwuachi has opened or owned several restaurants including Shaw Bijou, Kith and Kin, and Tatiana.

Kwame Onwuachi was expelled from several schools for behavioral issues and eventually graduated from Bronx Leadership Academy high school, a public charter school in the city.

In 2012, Kwame Onwuachi enrolled at The Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, New York.

In 2015, Kwame Onwuachi accepted an opportunity to compete on Bravo's culinary TV show, Top Chef: California.

In 2021, Kwame Onwuachi returned to the Top Chef Kitchen, this time as a guest judge for Season 18.

In November 2016, Kwame Onwuachi opened his own restaurant in a converted townhouse in the Shaw neighborhood of Washington, DC, called the Shaw Bijou, serving a 13-course tasting menu.

In late 2017, Kwame Onwuachi was hired to open a restaurant in the new InterContinental Hotel on DC's Southwest Waterfront.

Kwame Onwuachi named it "Kith and Kin", serving Afro-Caribbean cuisine influenced by his family ties to Louisiana, Jamaica, Trinidad, and Nigeria.

In July 2020, Kwame Onwuachi resigned his position at Kith and Kin to pursue opening his own restaurant.

In November 2022, Kwame Onwuachi opened his own restaurant, Tatiana, in NYC's Lincoln Center.

Kwame Onwuachi has been honored by both Forbes and Zagat as a member of their 30 under 30 lists, recognizing young leaders in their respective fields.

In 2024 Kwame Onwuachi was featured in an episode of Chef's Table.