Chef Yaku Moton-Spruill

Chef Yaku was born Yaku Moton-Spruill in Inkster, Michigan is a standout in the culinary world. A graduate of California Culinary Academy of San Francisco (Le Cordon Bleu), making his mark in the San Francisco food scene since moving here from New York City in 2004.

Yaku is the owner of D.O.P.E Chef Society, a personal and private chef and catering company, as well as the chef instructor of Primed and prepped.

Primed and prepped is a cooking program for 14 to 24-year-olds that gives students all the tools they need to become successful in not only the kitchen but in real life. Students receive ingredients via Instacart weekly, as well as recipes and demos to help them cook dinner for their families. At the completion of the 18-week program, students receive a stipend for their participation as well as school supplies, kitchen tools and so much more!

Chef Yaku has been blessed with the opportunity to share his fusion cooking with the world with appearances on NBC, Food Network, and more. After his first national television appearance on NBC's "Food Fighter", Chef Yaku has moved on to compete on Food Network's "Cutthroat Kitchen" (3 final appearances and 1 championship), winner of food networks star salvation season 12, a finalist on "Food Network Star" Season 12, and finalist on this season of Comeback Kitchen on Food Network (aired May 27th, 2018)