Two friends believed vegetables deserved the spotlight

The rest is a story about farmers markets, handmade tortillas, and following the seasons.

After years of cooking together, traveling, and wandering farmers markets, Bettina Stern and Suzanne Simon noticed a void: vegetables were almost always an afterthought. 

Inspired by the vibrant flavors of Mexico, they began making handmade corn tortillas and filling them with whatever was freshest that week. What started as a small stand at the White House Farmers Market grew into Chaia, where the seasons still shape everything we cook.

Some tacos have been with us from the very beginning. Others arrive with the seasons. Together, they celebrate what’s growing now and the simple belief that great ingredients don’t need much—just thoughtful cooking. 

We originally called ourselves Chaya, after the leafy Mayan superfood plant. As the business grew, we became Chaia, a name inspired by the Sanskrit word for “life.” It felt like the perfect reflection of what we hoped to create: vibrant, seasonal food full of life.

More than a decade later, we’re still inspired by the farmers, the seasons, and the belief that the best meals begin with exceptional ingredients and vegetables deserve the spotlight.