"My Parents Would Have Rather I Been a Prostitute.” How Ayesha Nurdjaja Became a Celebrity Chef & Built NYC’s Hottest Restaurants

What happens when you walk away from the career everyone expected you to have? Chef Ayesha Nurdjaja was on a path toward law school, working at a prestigious law firm and doing everything “right.” But something was missing. In this episode of The Messy Parts, Ayesha shares with Maryam how she left a promising legal career to pursue cooking, even when her parents stopped speaking to her and everyone around her thought she was making a huge mistake. She opens up about growing up in Brooklyn, discovering her passion for food later in life, working brutal restaurant hours for almost no money, and refusing to accept “no” as an answer. Ayesha also reveals the surprising story behind the creation of Shuka and Shukette, and how one bold decision changed the course of her career.🎙️Subscribe to The Messy Parts and never miss a story worth telling.00:00 - The Lie That Launched Her Career 🚪Ayesha tells the unbelievable story of sneaking her way into Lidia Bastianich’s legendary restaurant kitchen after being repeatedly told no, and how that gamble changed her life forever.03:40 - Growing Up Between Two Worlds 🌎Ayesha reflects on her Brooklyn childhood, her Italian and Indonesian roots, and how family, culture, and belonging shaped who she became.07:26 - When Religion Tore Her Family Apart 💔She opens up about her parents’ divorce, the cultural and religious tensions behind it, and the lasting impact it had on her life.11:06 - The Career Everyone Wanted for Her 🎓From pharmacy school to business school to a law firm job, Ayesha shares the path her parents hoped she’d follow, and why it never felt right.16:24 - The Bucket List That Changed Everything ✍️A train ride, a list of passions, and a moment of honesty helped Ayesha realize she was chasing the wrong dream.18:26 - Diamonds, DJing & Finding Her Calling 💎Before becoming a chef, Ayesha seriously considered careers in music and diamonds—and explains how cooking unexpectedly won.20:21 - The First Dish That Sparked Something Special 🍅A simple risotto-stuffed tomato became the moment Ayesha discovered the joy of creating food with her own hands.21:26 - The Day Her Parents Stopped Speaking to Her 📵After quitting a stable legal career to work in kitchens for almost no money, Ayesha faced the toughest rejection of all — from her own family, who struggled to understand her radical pivot.25:37 - Why She Never Quit the Kitchen 🔥Ayesha explains the relentless drive that pushed her through 16-hour days, exhausting labor, and years of sacrifice.39:33 - The New Year's Eve Party That Created Shuka 🎉What started as a risky, Moroccan-inspired dinner party became the spark that led to one of New York City's most beloved restaurants.41:22 - Betting on Yourself Every Time 🎲Ayesha reflects on risk-taking, resilience, and why she's always been willing to go all-in on the things she truly believes in.Send us Fan MailEmail us: [email protected] stay up to date with The Messy Parts and get all the behind-the-scenes content, follow us on Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube.If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a rating and review on Apple or Spotify or where ever you get your podcasts.Thank you for listening.