Robinson Film Center will host a free community watch party as Niema DiGrazia appears on Food Network’s Chopped, continuing a growing list of national television appearances that have brought her culinary story to a wider audience. The episode, Season 64, Episode 4, titled “African Soul,” will air at 8 p.m. Central, with doors opening at 6:30 p.m. Guests are invited to watch alongside DiGrazia in a shared, celebratory setting.
The event will take place in the center’s second-floor multipurpose space, located across from Abby Singer’s, which will also be open that evening. Admission is free, and while seating is first come, first served, the public is encouraged to RSVP through the Robinson Film Center website. Cash bars and special menu items will be available for purchase.
DiGrazia, executive chef at Abby Singer’s Bistro, has become a recognizable name both locally and nationally. A native of Sierra Leone, she draws inspiration from her upbringing and early experiences cooking alongside her mother, developing a style rooted in West African traditions and blended with Southern and Caribbean influences. Her approach, often described as Afro-fusion, reflects both her cultural heritage and her culinary evolution since building her career in Shreveport.
Her upcoming appearance on Chopped follows a breakout moment on Food Network’s Beat Bobby Flay, where she competed against celebrity chef Bobby Flay and won, bringing national attention to her work and to the Shreveport culinary scene. That experience, she said, helped launch her into a broader spotlight and opened doors for additional opportunities in television.
But for Chef Niema, the journey has never been only about personal success. She remains committed to bringing other women along, using every opportunity to create space, visibility and belief for others. One of those women never imagined she would see herself on Food Network until Chef Niema refused to take no for an answer. That spirit of advocacy, mentorship and shared elevation has become part of what defines her work in and beyond the kitchen.
“Robinson Film Center is all about bringing people together around powerful shared experiences,” said Wendell Riley, executive director of Robinson Film Center. “Hosting a live Chopped watch party with Chef Niema allows us to celebrate her amazing achievements while creating the kind of communal, joyful event that makes downtown Shreveport special.”
DiGrazia said competing on Chopped was an incredible experience and that she looks forward to sharing the moment with her community.
“Competing on Chopped was a defining moment in my journey, but bringing that experience home makes it truly meaningful,” she said. “To celebrate it with the community that continues to pour into me is everything. My journey has never been about me alone. It has always been about opening doors, bringing others with me, and showing what is possible when one person refuses to accept no.”
To RSVP, visit the Robinson Film Center website or call the box office at (318) 459-4122.
