Diana Tandia

Chef-Owner, Berber Street Food – New York, NY Chef Diana Tandia is the founder and chef-owner of Berber Street Food, a Pan-African restaurant bringing the vibrant flavors of Africa to New York City. Born in Mauritania and raised in a Berber/Fulani family with Senegalese roots, Diana developed her passion for cooking by watching family members prepare meals from scratch and gather loved ones around the table. These traditions continue to inspire her cooking today.

After moving to New York City in 2001, Diana graduated from the French Culinary Institute in 2006 and went on to train in some of New York’s most respected kitchens, including those of Daniel Boulud, Spice Market, Mandarin Oriental, and Gramercy Tavern. Drawing inspiration from her travels and collaborations with chefs around the world, Diana has developed a distinctive culinary style that blends African flavors with French technique and Mediterranean and Asian influences. Her cuisine is known for being vibrant, wholesome, and globally inspired. In 2018, Diana opened the first Berber Street Food in Manhattan’s West Village. The restaurant earned recognition from the Michelin Guide and was featured in The New Yorker, The New York Times, Time Out New York, Eater, and Plate Magazine.

After relocating to Miami, Diana served as Chef de Cuisine at Essensia Restaurant at The Palms Hotel & Spa, where she focused on farm-to-table cuisine and sustainability. In 2024, she received the Slow Food Snail of Approval for her commitment to sustainable food practices. Today, Diana leads Berber Street Food in New York’s Financial District, where she continues her mission of sharing the richness, diversity, and soul of African cuisine with a wider audience.