Like most chefs, Dakota started her career on the line at Mark Miller’s Coyote Café. She spread her wings over the next several years working under world-renowned chefs such as Dean Fering and Bruno Menard. Dakota then arrived in Los Angeles where she was quickly  named “Best New Chef” by Angeleno magazine in 2006 as the Executive Chef at Jer- ne at the Ritz-Carlton Marina Del Rey.In 2011, Dakota appeared on Bravo’s “Top Chef Texas,” while that same year she joined the W Los Angeles as Executive Chef. In 2013 she opened Dakota’s POP Parlor, her own brand of innovative gourmet popcorn—recognized by Food Network as one of the “Top 30 Popcorns to Try in America” and CBS Los Angeles as “Best Popcorn in LA.”

Weiss became one of the most commercially successful women-owned restaurateurs in Southern California as the consulting chef and part owner of Choice’s Sweetfin Poke, a fast-casual concept serving California-inspired Hawaiian soul food that opened in April of 2015 in Santa Monica. Sweetfin gained both local and national recognition and had rapid expansion to 15 locations across Southern California,  from 2018 to 2021.

After being diagnosed with Breast Cancer in 2021, Dakota and her partner Rich decided to move to Santa Fe, New Mexico to be closer to her family.  Dakota took on the role as Executive Chef at the famed Coyote Café.  Noticing the lack of fresh seafood restaurants in Santa Fe, Dakota and Rich created the Buttermilk Restaurant Group LLC and opened Catch Santa Fe Poke Co in the Summer of 2022.   They quickly followed with the Notorious P.O.K.E (Sawmill Market), Frenchie’s Dips and Tots (Sawmill Market & The Railyard) and Dakota’s Pop Parlor.  Weiss aims to  expand their quickly growing Restaurant Group to cities such as Denver, Co, Flagstaff, AZ and Austin, TX.  Missing the diverse food scene from Los Angeles, Dakota and Rich decided to open Capital Coal Neighborhood Eatery, a Micro Food Hall.  Inside you can find Korean, Hot Chicken and lots more to satisfy any craving.

Dakota is one of three Judges on the new show Morimoto’s Sushi Masters on Roku and is always immersing herself in learning new Japanese flavors and techniques.

Given Dakota’s passion for Japanese cuisine, Dakota and partner are working on their newest concept call Kizuna.  This is going be a Japanese / French Brassiere.  The focus on Japanese food using French technique in a various ways on this small plate menu concept.  Expect to see menu items like Shaved Lotus Root with Pork Belly Miso Compote or Uni Crispy Rice with a Bouillabaisse Ponzu.  She expects Kizuna to launch in Spring 2025

Dakota has been a long-time supporter of the organization No Kid Hungry which works to end childhood hunger in America and served as Chef Co-Chair for two years at the Taste of the Nation which benefitted the organization. Dakota continues to be an advocate and a voice for all Cancer survivors and loves to donate her time and cooking skills to help raise funds and awareness.

On her rare day off, she and her partner love to load their two pups in the car for a hike by the river followed by a visit to a new (pet-friendly) restaurant or brewery.