Since being named “Best New Chef” by Angeleno magazine in 2006 as the Executive Chef at Jer-ne at the Ritz-Carlton Marina Del Rey, Dakota Weiss has become tour-de-force in Los Angeles’ culinary community. In 2011, Dakota appeared on Bravo’s “Top Chef Texas,” while that same year she joined forces with Alan Nathan of Choice Hospitality Group, who recruited Dakota to helm its W Los Angeles – Westwood restaurants NINETHIRTY and The Backyard. In 2013 she opened Dakota’s POP Parlor, her own brand of innovative gourmet popcorn—recognized by Food Network as one of the “Top 30 Popcorns to Try in America” and CBS Los Angeles as “Best Popcorn in LA.” In early 2015, Dakota became the founding consulting chef and part owner of Choice Hospitality Group’s Sweetfin Poké, which since opening has been honored to receive widespread critical and popular acclaim, touting the all-raw fish, casual dining concept featuring California-spun Hawaiian soul food in Santa Monica, CA. Most recently, Dakota debuted Estrella, located in the heart of the Sunset Strip and inspired by the bohemian rock-and-roll days of Laurel Canyon in the ‘60s and ‘70s. Dakota’s menu contributes to the restaurant’s atmosphere of “hippie home” by focusing on shareable items, including small plates and family-style dinners. When this downtown L.A. resident is not busy in the kitchen, she enjoys spending time with her boyfriend and her two French bulldogs.