We don't do interviews very often but when we do...it's one for the books. We had the pleasure of speaking with Chef Nikki Pettineo. She has had a colorful and varied career and tells us all about it. She began in the corporate food world but quickly moved on to become a personal chef for several professional football players. She has cooked on yachts and has taught culinary arts to almost everyone, including inmates in a medium security prison.

So after owning a restaurant in addition to everything else, she has added entrepreneur to her resume by developing a spice brand, Pro Seasoning, and is now empire building there. When she's not blending spices, she has a YouTube channel, Nikki Talks Food and teaches virtually and in-person cooking classes as well as creating private dining experiences in the Tallahassee, Florida area.

Chef Nikki also took us to task on the importance of culinary training and the places it can take you. She has personal experience with that and believes that without her certifications, she would not have gotten as far as she has. She's a super smart, dynamic woman so I'm pretty sure she would have made it with or without those.

We met during taping Rat In The Kitchen for TBS. I would say we met on set but we actually first met in the laundry room of the hotel they put us up in. So we talk about that a little as well. Her story is so interesting. You don't want to miss this episode.

Listen wherever you get your podcasts and see all of us on our YouTube channel @thegirlcancook.

Thanks for listening.