Chef LaLa Harrison, chef and entrepreneur. A 2012 graduate of Laney College’s Culinary Arts Program, Chef LaLa has been part of the Oakland food scene, having worked at Angela’s Bistro, Brown Sugar Kitchen, Lake Chalet, and as sous chef for more than five years at Flora.

The past three years, this Laney alumnae has successfully run her own catering business, JusLa Eats Catering. After the unprecedented COVID success of her highly profitable pop-up, Chef LaLa is now expanding her JusLa brand, and soon will launch her own restaurant, RouX40, in Oakland’s Temescal. (To help realize her dream, support her GoFundMe campaign here.) 

Proudly rooted in the East Bay, Chef LaLa’s unique and innovative approach to food is centered around the African diaspora and infused with bold flavors and techniques from the Americas while emphasizing traditional family dinners with a contemporary touch of fine dining. 

A passionate advocate for youth and social justice, Chef LaLa has dedicated her career mentoring and building a pipeline of young people of color from underrepresented backgrounds into the hospitality and restaurant industry. 

Are you (or someone you know) interested in a culinary internship? Email Chef LaLa at cheflala@roux40.com