Meet Amina Ly | Executive French and Italian Chef

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

Hi Amina, looking back, what do you think was the most difficult decision you’ve had to make?
In the middle of a pandemic.

My life was tossed upside down, “from” losing all my material possessions such as my restaurant when my, then husband, made the plan behind my back to go back to Italy. He also wiped all the money that I had saved in our joint savings account. Behind my back, he also sold my car. But most devastating was when he lied to me that day of May 26th 2021,when he said that our daughter, Alyssa, would only spend her Summer vacation with him in Italy, but instead, he kidnapped her by never returning her to her home in Miami, so she could continue to attend school with her classmates and live in her home with me in Miami.

Since the kidnapping happened, I have been living an extremely difficult life, economically (paying lawyers hundreds of thousands of dollars to file an international kidnapping case against my ex-husband), also having to get very creative by reinventing myself by offering catering services to the public, private chef services to a few clients, participating in events (such as being on the Food Network, Deco Drive Miami and Camilus House, to teach their temporary housing residents, how to prepare an easy yet nutritius meal) and participating in festivals (such as the Creole Food Festival) to be able to keep up with attorney’s fees and still have a roof over my head.

The emotional toll from these struggles has been incredibly difficult, especially putting on a smile on my face every day to greet my loyal customers all while literaly feeling as if I was slowy dieing inside of pain and sadness because I have yet to be reunited with Alyssa in Miami to give our lives normalcy again.

I am very greatful to all my loyal customers and friends who continue to believe in me and also continue to support me with their food orders.

Above all, I thank God for never abandoning me, always opening new doors for me to have the will to continue to fight for my daughter’s return home and to continue to allow me contribute to my community with my talents by sharing my cuisine.

Every day I grow and become stronger to prepare myself for the day when I will be reunited with my beloved Alyssa.

When I can welcome Alyssa back home, I will shower her with love, affection, hugs, kisses, laughter, bedtime stories, snuggles, and so much more that every mother enjoys with their child.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I am a Master International Culinary Chef. I can cook diverse cuisines, however my specialties are Senegalese, French and Italian cuisine. I am working on reopening my closed beloved restaurant.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I love Morikami Museum and all Miami museums I love restaurants like: UCHI, MR CHOW, JOËL ROBUCHON
Happy Hour at E11ven, Faena and South pointe Tavern
Sundays at BALL & CHAIN for delicious cocktails, live music and Salsa dance

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My dad, my ex bosses of the last yacht I been working before to move in USA with there friends, my friends who been supportive and non judgmental during this time, Miami Shores and North Miami community, last but not least my loyal and beloved customers with their infinite support.

Website: WWW.AMINALY.CPM

Instagram: CHEF_AMINA_LY. AND. CHEFAMINA_LY

Linkedin: CHEFAMINALY

Twitter: COTEGOURMET MIAMI

Facebook: AMINATA LY

Yelp: COTE GOURMET MIAMI SHORES

Youtube: CHEF AMINALY

Other: HERALD FOOD NETWORK DECO DRIVE MIAMI CREOLE FOOD FESTIVAL

Image Credits
TRACEY HAGEN N/A