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SAVANNAH, Ga. – Time Magazine has unveiled its 2026 list of the 100 most influential individuals, and among the esteemed names is Savannah’s celebrated Chef Mashama Bailey.
Originally from New York, Bailey moved to Waynesboro, Georgia, at the tender age of two, before settling in Savannah when she was five. Her journey took her back to New York at 11, where she completed her high school education and pursued culinary training.
While honing her skills as a chef in New York, Bailey received an intriguing proposal to open a restaurant in Savannah. The site was a defunct Greyhound bus station that an investor had recently acquired. Thus, The Grey was born, opening its doors in December 2014.
The Grey quickly garnered acclaim, earning a nomination for the James Beard Foundation Award for Best New Restaurant in 2015. Further expanding her culinary footprint, Bailey launched The Grey Market in Savannah in October 2018.
Chef Bailey’s talent has been recognized with two James Beard Awards, which she won in 2019 and 2022, solidifying her reputation as a leading figure in the culinary world.
Bailey has served as a chairwoman on the Edna Lewis Foundation since 2017. The foundation works to “revive, preserve, and celebrate the rich history of African-American cookery by cultivating a deeper understanding of Southern food and culture in America.”
To see Mashama’s piece as well as the full Time Magazine Top 100 list, click here.