Hi, I’m Chef Erika Nolan, a 36-year-old born and raised in Queens, now called Park Slope, Brooklyn home. My love for cooking started early—standing on a stool next to my mom, stirring pots and learning how food brings people together. I took that spark seriously, eventually training at culinary school and working my way through kitchens all over NYC. From cozy diners to bustling downtown bistros, I learned that cooking isn’t about perfection—it’s about passion, persistence, and plenty of taste testing.
Over the years, I’ve grown into a style that’s playful and rooted in comfort. I love blending New York classics with global influences—adding za’atar to roasted veggies, or folding a little ginger into my grandmother’s meatballs. I’m not afraid of experimenting or failing; in fact, some of my best dishes were born from happy accidents. Once, I scorched a tomato soup by mistake, and now I recreate that same caramelized depth on purpose. Cooking, for me, is as much about the laughs and surprises as it is about flavor.
These days, I balance running a small catering business, writing recipes, and raising two hungry teenagers who aren’t shy about giving feedback. Whether I’m prepping for a dinner party or showing someone how to make their first risotto, my goal is the same: make cooking joyful, approachable, and full of heart. If you leave my table full, smiling, and maybe with a little sauce on your sleeve, I’ve done my job.