Lina Nagaya
Founder

Lina Nagaya is a passionate private chef based in New York, dedicated to supporting health-conscious clients through personalized, nourishing meals and laying the foundation for future services that will support terminal cancer patients and their families. Drawing on her expertise in nutrition and the artistry of traditional Japanese cuisine, Lina creates thoughtful, health-supportive dining experiences tailored to individual needs and lifestyles.

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Her journey was profoundly shaped by her father’s courageous battle with cancer. As she witnessed him struggle through the harsh effects of chemotherapy — losing his sense of taste and appetite — Lina experienced a deep and overwhelming sense of helplessness. The bland, impersonal meals served in the hospital often left him disheartened, stripping away small pleasures that once brought him joy.

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In those final months, he chose to spend his remaining time savoring dishes from his favorite restaurants and home-cooked meals filled with personal memories. For him, these meals were more than just food. Each bite was a quiet act of hope — a way to resist despair, to preserve dignity, and to hold on to life’s small joys when so much else felt beyond his control.

Witnessing this left a lasting imprint on Lina’s heart. It revealed to her the profound, unspoken power food holds — not only to nourish the body but to carry memory, comfort, and meaning when words are no longer enough.​

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This deeply personal chapter inspired Lina to reimagine the role of food in moments of adversity — not just as nourishment, but as a source of comfort, connection, and emotional support. Today, she combines culinary skill with nutritional care to provide meals that uplift both body and spirit, whether it’s for families seeking meaningful, health-conscious dining at home or for individuals managing dietary needs with intention and grace.

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Through her private chef services and her future initiative, GOTZO, Lina aspires to bring people together over beautiful, thoughtful meals that restore a sense of normalcy, warmth, and joy at the table — even in life’s most delicate moments.

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For Lina, cooking is an act of love — a way to help others reclaim joy, comfort, and meaningful connection through food. If you or a loved one is seeking a chef who truly understands the power of a caring meal, please don’t hesitate to reach out. She would be honored to be a part of your table.