Nikki Cervone

• Even though her original plan was to become a school librarian, Nikki decided instead to pursue an obsession with cooking and baking, realizing that her favorite food-centered books she constantly read as a child like "The Very Hungry Caterpillar," "Strega Nona," and "The Stinky Cheese Man" ultimately guided her to a rewarding and delicious career path.
• In 2021, she earned the title of Certified Cheese Professional, a credential offered by the American Cheese Society.
• Since 2011, Nikki has held a National Restaurant Association ServSafe certification to maintain a professional level of food handling safety and sanitation.

Experience

From the very start of her food career nearly two decades ago, Nikki was determined to fully immerse herself in different industry positions to gain hospitality-driven values and essential operational skills. Working for restaurants, cafes, event planners, bakeries, hotels, and farms, she developed both practicality and creativity in a kitchen environment. Most recently, Nikki's professional journey led her to a cheesemonger and specialty foods buyer role for a multinational supermarket chain. Throughout these years of hands-on food experiences, she has applied her knowledge in an online media setting as an editor, writer, recipe developer, and food photographer.

Education

Nikki holds an A.A.S. in baking and pastry from Westmoreland County Community College, a B.A. in communication studies from Duquesne University, and an M.L.A. in gastronomy from Boston University.