Paul & Cheetie
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Cheetie Kumar
Chef & Owner
Cheetie is Ajja’s chef and owner. An India- and Bronx-raised Southerner and musician, Cheetie earned two James Beard Foundation Award nominations (and five semifinalist nods) for “Best Chef: Southeast” for her multi-cultural menus that blended the flavors of South Asia and the surrounding regions with local agriculture at the beloved Garland, which closed in 2022. Ajja builds on the legacy of Garland and continues telling the rich story of North Carolina’s growers, farmers and purveyors in a vibrant indoor-outdoor neighborhood restaurant.
Cheetie has been profiled in The New York Times, Southern Living and The Wall Street Journal, among many other national publications. She is active in food advocacy and serves on the Board of Directors and as Vice President of both the Independent Restaurant Coalition and the Southern Foodways Alliance. She also serves on the board and the Government Affairs Committee of NCRLA. Cheetie is part of World Central Kitchen’s Chef Corps, a global network of culinary leaders who champion World Central Kitchen’s work providing fresh meals following crises.
When she’s not taking Ajja to the next level, Cheetie likes to spend time attending to Messrs Disco and Boondi, her rescue cats, and going to catch some live music. She’s recently had her mind blown by Air, Caribou, Kraftwerk and Beak>. -
Paul Siler
Co-owner, Director of Vibes
Paul Siler is an artist in the truest sense of the word. Working via a variety of mediums, Paul’s artistic vision and works come to life at Ajja. Taking a cue from his mother, who had a “wonderful touch with arranging,” Paul’s approach to design and décor is best described as “controlled eclecticism,” a funky and fun mix of vintage and modern pieces curated over years of collecting. Real plants hang alongside silk versions, thrift store pieces hang next to family art, and 1970’s swag lights impeccably match his collection of 70’s polyester disco shirts he sports nightly while working the floor. It’s a maximalist aesthetic, but everything has its place.
A born-and-raised North Carolinian and NC State alum, Paul is also an avid basketball player, bird watcher and, to the surprise of many, a pretty solid golfer. While at NC State, not only did he meet Cheetie, his future wife and business partner, but together, they discovered their niche and inspiration within the indie rock and arts culture of Raleigh.
A lifelong musician, Paul plays guitar with Cheetie in their band, Birds of Avalon; he also performs with avant-garde noisemakers Enemy Waves, and he proudly plays the role of Roger Daltry in The Whom, his tribute band to The Who. When he isn’t on stage, Paul’s welcoming hospitality graciously complements Cheetie’s cuisine at Ajja.
In 2023, Paul received his real estate license enabling him to work with fellow Raleigh restaurateur David Meeker’s company Elm Partners that helps new food and beverage businesses navigate the tricky path to finding the right location. A champion of the Raleigh community, Paul also continues to organize and host The Great Cover Up, an annual fundraising event at Kings that has been a favorite of Raleighites since it started in 1999. A documentary is set for release in 2025 about the Great Cover Up, which has raised tens of thousands of dollars for local and national charities.