Today we’d like to introduce you to Nicole Gilbert.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I was born and raised in Indiana where my family currently still is. I always loved to cook growing up and said I would one day be a Chef. My dad was the cook in our home and both of my grandmas were amazing cooks and influenced me greatly. Once I got to High school, I did a 2-year culinary program that was instrumental in my decision to pursue Culinary Arts. I then decided to pursue Culinary Arts and go to culinary school for college. I attended Johnson and Wales University in Miami Florida for 3 and a half years earning an associate’s degree in Culinary Arts and a Bachelor’s degree in Food Service Management. During my time at JWU, I Played golf for the school, ran cross country, and studied abroad in Italy. Studying in Italy was the best experience of my college years. It was an incredible opportunity to live in another country, studying their culture and cuisine. I am beyond grateful for my time at JWU.
As I was finishing up my college degree, I was offered a position as a private Chef on a Yacht in Miami. I jumped at the opportunity and fell in love with the industry. I have been doing it for over 4 years now and still love the places this job takes me. I spend the majority of my time working in the Caribbean during the winter months and New England in the summers.
When the pandemic hit my industry slowed down a bit as borders were shut down and people were not traveling as often. So, I then decided to start catering out of my home more and selling pastry boxes around the holidays. I have fallen absolutely in love with my mini bakery I like to call it. It brings me so much joy cooking for others and making them happy with a box of pastries around the holidays.
I hope to one day open a Cafe where I can cook savory dishes and also bake full filling my long-term dream.
At the end of the day, I’m most thankful to love what I do this much and can only pray the passion never dies.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle-free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
Many people don’t know this part of my journey but I am thankful for it because it only made me stronger and who I am today. During my high school years, I struggled in school very much. I was constantly being tutored and just getting by. Up until I found culinary It was like nothing clicked for me.
The second I found what I was meant to do my grades started to change drastically and I knew I was doing what I should. It was a little too late to help my GPA at that point in High school. I was actually denied at first by JWU and absolutely devastated. It was my first and only choice of a college. I didn’t know what I was going to do and where to go at that point.
I was already committed to playing on the golf team for JWU before being accepted. Thankfully the athletic program was able to get me into the school and give me a chance.
I am forever grateful for that chance.
I succeeded in college much easier than I did all the years before because I simply was doing what I loved.
Advice I would give to others is to truly never give up on what you love and are meant to do. It’ll all work out the way it’s supposed to in the end.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am a private Chef. I work in the Yachting industry as a freelancer traveling a few weeks of each month. When I am home, I cater for small parties, I do private dinner parties serving at least 3-course meals of my client’s preferences, and I also sell pastry boxes that come wrapped cute for the holidays.
I specialize in Savory cuisines such as Italian, seafood, American, Asian and more.
My most loved desert is my Keylime Pie.
A Simple dish but unforgettable.
I would say what sets me apart from others is always being willing to be challenged and go further in my career.
I’m not afraid of failing because it only makes me better in the end.
Do you have any advice for those looking to network or find a mentor?
Just putting yourself out there on social media and sharing with others what you do and have to offer. Taking advice from others more wise and older that have been through the journey themselves.
Contact Info:
- Email: chefgilbert11@gmail.com
- Website: https://eatswithnicki.food.blog/
- Instagram: @eats.with.Nicki
