The Suya Guy
The Suya Guy
H e m a A g w u
Chef Hema Agwu, better known by his moniker, “The Suya Guy”, is widely recognized in the New York Tri-State region for his showmanship and grilling prowess of traditional Nigerian suya. His dedication to this beloved dish is rooted in the nostalgia of his treasured childhood memories growing up in Lagos, Nigeria. This has driven him to further propel the suya culture forward by creating his own trademarked line of suya spices, “Suya by The Suya Guy” and opening a restaurant dedicated to the fare in Crown Heights, Brooklyn, “Brooklyn Suya”.
Beyond Nigeria, Chef Agwu’s culinary background has also been shaped by his time in Morocco, Eritrea, and various communities within NYC. These influences continually inspire him to create, learn, and reimagine traditional African dishes. He shares his reinvented take on various traditional culinary fares during his monthly “Suya Table” dinner series, in which he guides an intimate group of guests through a wine paired, 4 course meal with his commentary of the history of the ingredients and his process.
Ultimately, Chef Agwu’s agenda is to use Nigerian influences to usher in a new style of experiencing food, provide nostalgia, and share Nigerian culture with new communities.
