We had the good fortune of connecting with Aisha White and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Aisha, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
I had dreamed of starting a business my whole life. I desperately wanted to take the leap and trust in myself as a young adult. But I feared that once it became my main source of income, my passion and happiness for it would be crushed. So it remained just a side hustle.

Then I was laid off from my “safe” job.

That was my sign.

If not now, when?

Smiling woman in a kitchen with a table of food, flowers, and a wooden cutting board, under a large range hood.

Woman smiling while seasoning vegetables in a kitchen, with a tray of roasted vegetables in front.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I am incredibly passionate about food. Food is political. Spiritual. It connects us all in so many ways. I always support local businesses, farmers, and butchers whenever I can.

My name, Aisha, means “alive” or “living” in Arabic. Like the meaning of my name, I want to continue sharing food that makes people feel alive. I love cooking for the people in my life, so being able to share that passion in a bigger way lights my heart on fire in a way I can’t describe. Good food makes you feel that way—body and soul. I truly believe it.

I am just at the beginning of my journey as a chef. A good chef is always learning and changing. Many of my days are long and backbreakingly tiring. I know my sacrifices are for a bigger purpose, and I will never give up on my dream now that I’ve begun.

Woman in red sweater holding a pizza box, smiling, standing indoors with plants and furniture nearby.

Multiple meal containers filled with rice, vegetables, meats, and garnishes arranged in a grid pattern.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Phoenix has a killer coffee scene. The uptown area is my personal favorite. Every morning it would be a must to grab coffee, breakfast & a little pastry at either Lux Central, Valentine, or Copper Star Coffee. Iced coffee in hand and getting lost in the nearby antique and thrift stores picking out trinkets and unique clothing to stuff your suitcase. Saturday mornings at the Uptown Farmers Market to sample the local eats and take home some beautiful produce meat & bread to cook up a fabulous dinner later over a bottle or two of wine picked up from Sauvage, or Alcove. A walk down the lush greenery of Central between Bethany & Glendale to scour any estate sales and daydream of owning one of the beautiful homes along the neighborhood. The Phoenix Art museum, Arizona Science Center, or Phoenix Zoo, or The Botanical Gardens for a classic afternoon activity. A stop at AJ’s for a tea or lemonade on the patio to cool off. Lunch spots we couldn’t miss out on are The Fry Bread house, Little Miss BBQ ( get there early or they sell out) or Huarachi’s. Dinner at the renowned Pizzeria Bianco for a pie, Glai Baan for some mind blowing Thai food, or Persian room for juicy kebabs over fluffy rice. Indulge in the touristy and hike Camelback or any mountain trail to see a stunning Arizona sunset. If we’re not stuffed enough already then Cornish pasty for a late night snack and jazz night on Thursdays, a corner truck somewhere off Indian School for a late night taco plate & sickeningly sweet horchata or Bad Jimmy’s for a greasy good smash burger. An evening that never ceases to end and we head over to downtown to bar hop and catch some live music before I send you off home.

A cake decorated with various fruits including raspberries, passion fruit, kumquat, and mint leaves, topped with white frosting and drizzled with caramel.

Slices of cooked lamb with herbs on a wooden platter, garnished with sprigs of rosemary and other herbs.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My mother, who has taught me so much about the fundamentals of cooking, allowed her kitchen to be my war zone of experimentation and has always supported me. Growing up, I experienced and witnessed her ability to host and make people feel heard and loved through food.

Instagram: @aishasofaz

Yelp: https://yelp.to/XvPn4erN12 Aisha’s by Chef Aisha

Other: aishasofaz@gmail.com
@aishasofaz on TikTok

Grilled fish with lemon slices, served with potato wedges and greens on a white plate.

Assorted fruit platter with sliced apples, oranges, grapes, and melon, alongside a plate of chocolate-covered treats with nuts and sprinkles.

Bowl with rice, cooked beef, cucumber slices, kimchi, and a spoon and chopsticks, on a green cloth.

Fruit salad with orange slices, dried cranberries, and white cheese chunks in a bowl.

Plate of sliced raw fish with green olives and lemon zest, alongside a bowl of dipping sauce and green vegetables, on a gray surface.

Shelf with jars and containers of spices and herbs, labeled with handwritten tags, organized in rows.

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutArizona is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.