Akasha Richmond, of the eponymous Akasha as well as AR Cucina, became one of Los Angeles’s most celebrated culinary names as an accident on her journey towards enlightenment. A self-taught chef and baker, Akasha decided to pursue cooking as a full-time vocation while working at the yogi-owned Golden Temple in the 1990s. It was there that she befriended cultural icons Michael Jackson, Barbra Streisand and Billy Bob Thornton after moving to Los Angeles to further her yoga studies. These experiences culminated in her first cookbook, Hollywood Dish.
The eclectic menu at Akasha has been heavily informed by her travels across Italy, Southeast Asia, Bali, Australia, Eastern and Western Europe since opening in 2008. The emphasis on local foods using health conscious methods, sustainable practices and dedication to authentic practices carries over from Akasha to the Italian cuisine at AR Cucina.
When she is not working, Chef Richmond loves to travel more than anything. From Mumbai to Bali to Sicily she has taken small groups on culinary and cultural tours – always making a point to visit the fish markets! She dreams of one day visiting Vietnam with her sales rep Chance. Her advice to home chefs is to always start with the best seafood you can find, then use good extra virgin olive oil, sea salt and fresh cracked pepper. You can’t lose with that combination!
Akasha
9543 Culver Boulevard,
Culver City, CA 90232
(310) 845-1700
www.akasharestaurant.com
AR Cucina
9531 Culver Blvd
Culver City, CA 90232
(310) 558-8800
www.arcucina.com