Meet Nicole Leavitt of Chef Nicole

Today we’d like to introduce you to Nicole Leavitt.

Thanks for sharing your story with us Nicole. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
My journey started unexpectedly, to say the least, I wasn’t sure of where I was headed and what my focus was in this world. At the age of 18, I had a strong work ethic due to getting out and living on my own so young.

I was offered my first restaurant job and quickly moved up as head chef, I took the position feeling excited to see what the culinary world could offer. Little did I know, my whole world would change and everything would involve the passion, the art and the science of food. I feel in love with being creative and watching people around me fall in love through the taste of dishes I created.

I was fortunate enough to be able to travel as well, my first few years were spent in New England, from there I went to Los Angeles, California where I was able to explore the roots of cooking, culture and begin to spin in my own techniques. Virginia brought me some insight on cooking “Southern Style Fine Dining”, and New York showed me what it was like to have all styles of beautiful hidden gems with the push to be strong in what you do.

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
There’s nothing smooth about the restaurant industry. This is why you have to be the right kind of person to keep up with the madness of this passionate industry. No one just becomes the “perfect” Chef overnight, when you go through this type of journey, you know what it takes to respect such a position.

Perfection is far and few in-between, but a masterpiece doesn’t come from perfection. It comes from strive, hard work, many hours and experimentation, then you can reach perfection of a dish.

Chef Nicole – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
Finding excitement in the unknown is something that pushes this career for me, the adrenaline of having a 12-top walk-in during a busy Saturday night rush on top of all other scheduled tables and general services.

Fusing together two styles of cuisines that you had no idea could work so well together until the very moment the idea rises, you execute and run with it, having your special of the night riding solely on your feeling, and it being a complete success!

These are just a few examples of what puts the “heat” in the kitchen!

What is “success” or “successful” for you?
Knowing that there is no limitation in your mind and the world is literally your oyster.

I’ve been fortunate enough to work in open kitchens, within that I have the pleasure of seeing that moment of success on each individual face as they embrace the first bite of my dish.

That moment is the recipe of success.

Contact Info:

• Phone: 603-793-4361
• Email: nicole.leavitt13@gmail.com
• Instagram: @Freshbites13

Getting in touch: BostonVoyager is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.