Meet Chef Loi

telecommunications, energy, and hospitality concerns, as an entrepreneur and consultant in the healthy consumer packaged goods industry, and as a restauranteur in New York City.

Chef Loi is a deeply committed philanthropic partner to numerous wellness, nutrition, and education initiatives, especially those that support children, the unhoused and the underserved.

Maria Loi is an internationally respected authority on wellness and the Mediterranean diet, a celebrated chef, a successful businesswoman, and a steadfast supporter of philanthropic causes around the world. Her mission in life is simple: subscribing to THE LOI motto – Tasty, Healthy, Easy – Live On It – Chef Loi wants to change the world one healthy bite at a time.

Already a popular television personality in her native Greece, Chef Loi is a prolific author of magazines and books as well as highly sought after lecturer on wellness, nutrition, and sustainability at academic and industry conferences around the globe. Chef Loi has become a favorite with American television audiences through her frequent guest appearances on national network morning television and as host of her own highly acclaimed public television series.

An accomplished businesswoman, Chef Loi has enjoyed tremendous success as a lobbyist for global media,

  • Mediterranean Diet Expert

    Chef Loi is a tireless advocate for the physical and mental wellness benefits of the Mediterranean diet through her numerous books and magazine articles, as well as her eagerly anticipated appearances at academic and industry conferences worldwide.

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  • Celebrity Chef

    Millions of television viewers look forward to Chef Loi’s frequent guest appearances on television’s most popular national morning shows on channels like ABC, NBC, Fox, and CBS, as well as her own national public television series, The Life of Loi: Mediterranean Secrets, also available on Amazon Prime, Apple TV+, and PBS Passport.

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  • Businesswoman

    Chef Loi began her career as one of Europe’s top lobbyists, representing global leaders in the media, telecommunications, energy, and hospitality sectors. She is also the creator of media and quality food businesses whose mission is to provide incredible food at sustainable and reasonable prices.

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  • Philanthropist

    Chef Loi is deeply involved in causes that benefit children, the unhoused, and underserved communities and populations. She works closely with many philanthropic organizations including The Center for Discovery, The Floating Hospital, Citymeals on Wheels, and the Loukoumi Make a Difference Foundation.

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Honors and Awards

  • International Telly Award

    In 2023, The Life of Loi: Mediterranean Secrets, Chef Loi’s television co-production with GBH Boston, was selected for the prestigious International Telly Award for Food & Beverage series from over 13,000 entries in more than 50 countries, from across 5 continents.

  • At the White House

    Chef Loi was invited to cook for President Obama, Vice President Biden, and 250 honored guests at the White House.
    Chef Loi and her team have been invited to cook at the White House for special occasions numerous times.

  • Neighborhood Hero Award

    In 2021, in recognition of her work to feed frontline healthcare workers, the unhoused and elderly throughout the global pandemic, Chef Loi received the New York City Department of Youth and Community Development’s Neighborhood Hero Award.

  • Top Women in Food Service and Hospitality

    In 2023, Chef Loi was named by Total Food Service Magazine as one of the Top Women in Food Service and Hospitality in the USA. Previously, since 2017, Chef Loi has been named as a Top Woman in Foodservice & Hospitality in the tri-state area by TFS.

  • Top Women Makers

    In 2020, Chef Loi was named one of the Top Women Makers by Whole Foods Market, as the founder of Loi Food Products.

  • sofi™ Award for Best New Product

    In 2019, Chef Loi and Loi Food Products received the coveted sofi™ Award for Best New Product in the Olive Oil category from the Specialty Food Association out of over 2,000 entries.

  • Global Ambassador of Greek Gastronomy

    Chef Loi was named Global Ambassador of Greek Gastronomy by the Chefs Club of Greece for her work distinguishing Greek cuisine on the world stage, elevating it both for the health benefits as well as the historic influence on Mediterranean cuisines.

  • Women Empowerment Awards

    In 2016, in recognition for her work to empower women, Chef Loi received Save Latin America’s Leadership Award and the Women Together Foundation’s Women’s Award at the United Nations.

  • Les Dames d’Escoffier member

    Chef Loi was also inducted into the New York Chapter of Les Dames d’Escoffier, the invitation-only, pre-eminent global women’s organization in the areas of food, wine, and hospitality.

Contact Chef Maria Loi