Christina Gray

Christina Gray

Christina Gray is a Chicago native and culinary artist, known for her tell-it-like-it-is personality, sharp wit, and distinctive style that turns heads both in and out of the kitchen. With a sneaker collection that would rival any enthusiast’s and custom chef coats that showcase her individuality, Christina proves that being a chef isn’t about fitting into a mold—it’s about breaking it. Inspired by the women in her family—her grandmother’s culinary legacy, her mother’s skill in the kitchen, and her sister’s instinctual flair for flavors—Christina infuses every dish she creates with a deep connection to her roots. Shaped by the grit and resilience of her Chicago upbringing, she blends her love for food with a passion for bringing people together, transforming a childhood hobby into a thriving career. What began as cooking for friends and family has evolved into a celebration of community, connection, and culture.

Christina began her career in broadcast radio, but she soon realized her true calling was in the kitchen. As her homemade dishes became the highlight of her coworkers' days, her passion for cooking grew, inspiring her to launch her own catering company in 2013 under the fitting moniker What’s On the Menu. Guided by her mission to “bring families back to the table,” Christina infuses every dish she creates with love, intention, and a story.

In 2015, Christina moved to Los Angeles to pursue her culinary dreams, where she quickly grew a celebrity clientele that includes Derrick Rose, Lil Rel Howery, Kevin Hart, Sanaa Lathan, Nas, and Meagan Good. Known for cooking with love, her reputation flourished as she became a sought-after chef in the entertainment industry. When the COVID-19 pandemic upended lives, Christina once again demonstrated her creativity and resilience by launching Ruby, a luxury hot sauce brand named in honor of her late grandmother. Fueled by her deep commitment to community, Ruby became a sensation, with every release selling out exclusively through Christina's Instagram following.

Looking ahead, Christina is driven by a bold vision to create the Ruby Foundation, a community development and distribution center based on Chicago’s South Side. This initiative will aim to create opportunities for local talent and foster spaces where food, culture, and charity intersect. Christina is poised to inspire the next generation of chefs, storytellers, and creators, leaving an indelible mark on both the culinary world and the communities she holds dear.

For Chef Christina Gray, cooking isn’t just about feeding people—it’s about creating experiences, sparking conversations, and healing communities, one dish at a time.