About Chef Diva
Ericka Michelle Lassair, widely known as “Chef Diva,” is a proud native of New Orleans and the visionary owner and chef behind the Diva Dawg Food Truck and Chef Diva Foods. A graduate of Southern University in Baton Rouge, LA, with a degree in marketing, Ericka initially embarked on a career in finance in Dallas. However, after six years and the devastation of Hurricane Katrina, she felt a powerful call to return home and contribute to the rebuilding of her beloved city. Ericka enrolled in culinary school at Delgado Community College and honed her skills at the iconic, five-star Commander’s Palace before opening her own restaurant, Diva Dawg, on Magazine Street in 2012
Her culinary journey has garnered significant recognition, with appearances on shows such as Destination America's "Last Call Food Brawl," “Flip My Food,” and “Kitchen Queens.” Ericka’s entrepreneurial success has been celebrated with prestigious awards, including the 2014 Urban League of Greater New Orleans WIB Pitch Challenge and the 2015 Capital One Business Plan Pitch. In 2016, she was named a Tory Burch Foundation Fellow and Ambassador, and was featured in the January 2017 issue of Vogue alongside Tory Burch. Ericka’s inspiring entrepreneurial story was also showcased in Cosmopolitan’s “Get That Life” and in an episode of Modern Hero, available on Amazon Prime.
In the summer of 2017, Ericka’s culinary prowess was further highlighted when she was featured as the Celebrity Chef for Essence Eats in Essence magazine. Her journey into the spotlight continued with a cameo appearance in the hit movie Girls Trip, where her Diva Dawg Food Truck made a memorable appearance. Ericka's remarkable blend of business acumen, culinary talent, and passion for New Orleans culture has firmly established her as a prominent figure in both the culinary world and her community.
Chef Diva is a seasoned culinary expert with extensive experience catering for a wide range of high-profile events, including corporate gatherings, weddings, private parties, and, most notably, serving the NFL Commissioner during the 2025 Super Bowl. Her expertise extends beyond special events; throughout the year, she also showcases her exceptional cuisine at various hospitals, where her food is sold in the Café, and at some of the largest and most renowned festivals in New Orleans. Chef Diva’s versatile culinary talents and commitment to excellence have made her a sought-after chef for both intimate and large-scale occasions.
Chef Diva is currently focused on expanding the Diva Dawg brand by relaunching Chef Diva Foods in the Spring of 2025, featuring an exciting range of spices, sauces, and sweet treats. The reintroduction begins with some of her most beloved offerings, including the signature étouffée sauce paired with a low-sodium étouffée spice—two items that were originally created as fan favorites at her Diva Dawg restaurant and food truck. What started as a unique hot dog topping has since evolved into a versatile sauce enjoyed on everything from fries and nachos to wings and beyond. Chef Diva is passionate about bringing the vibrant flavors of New Orleans to a broader audience and aims to make these iconic tastes more accessible to everyone. To kick off the relaunch, Chef Diva Foods will debut with the Red Bean Spice, Apple Pie Bread Pudding mix, and of course, the crowd-favorite Étouffée Sauce.
