Nikki Can Cook

I was first introduced to cooking by my grandmother at the age of seven. I spent many summers in the kitchen with my grandmother preparing breakfast and learning how to preserve fresh fruit and vegetables from our garden. It was at that moment that I developed an interest for cooking and by the age of 10, I knew my way around a cookbook and began using them for inspiration. I was one of 16 home cooks from across the country who competed on the Food Network’s culinary competition series, America’s Best Cook. Hosted by Ted Allen, the 16 cooks were divided into four teams representing the South, North, East, and West. Each team was mentored by a Food Network chef. I proudly represented Team South, mentored by celebrity chef Cat Cora. Committed to bringing family members back to the dinner table and recouping their love for Sunday dinners. My first cookbook, A Bit of This, A Bit of That: Comfort Food for the Eclectic Soul was published in 2014.