Chef Anya El-Wattar is a Russian-born chef based in San Francisco, renowned for her innovative approach to plant-based Russian cuisine.
Born and raised in Moscow, she immigrated to the United States at 18, earning an undergraduate degree from Columbia University and later studying the healing properties of food at the Ayurvedic Institute in New Mexico.
She further honed her culinary skills at New York's Natural Gourmet Institute and in 2016, founded Project Butterfly, a San Francisco-based catering venture focused on providing meals for charity fundraisers.
Anya opened Birch & Rye, a modern Russian restaurant in Noe Valley, San Francisco, offering a vegan tasting menu that reimagined traditional Russian dishes.
The restaurant received critical acclaim, being named Eater San Francisco’s Chef of the Year in 2022 and earning a spot in the Michelin Guide.
In March 2025, Anya joined the cast of Bravo's "Top Chef" Season 22, which was filmed across various locations in Canada. Her participation highlights her commitment to culinary excellence and her ability to represent Russian culinary traditions on a national stage.
Beyond her culinary endeavors, Anya is dedicated to promoting unity and cultural exchange through food. She has actively participated in events aimed at fostering community and collaboration among chefs, exemplifying her belief that creatively imagined food can connect cultures.