Nicole A. Taylor facts for kids
Nicole A. Taylor is an American writer and cookbook author. She grew up in Georgia and later moved to Brooklyn, New York, in 2008. Her experiences in Brooklyn inspired her 2015 cookbook, The Up South Cookbook: Chasing Dixie in a Brooklyn Kitchen. Nicole Taylor's food writing has been recognized with nominations for the prestigious James Beard Foundation Award twice. She also hosted a podcast called Hot Grease, where she discussed food culture.
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About Nicole A. Taylor
Nicole A. Taylor was born and raised in Athens, Georgia. She lived in Atlanta for 12 years before moving to Brooklyn in 2008. This move to Brooklyn became a big part of her first cookbook.
Her First Cookbook: The Up South Cookbook
In 2015, Nicole Taylor published her first cookbook, The Up South Cookbook: Chasing Dixie in a Brooklyn Kitchen. She spent three years creating this book, which includes over 100 recipes. The book shares not just recipes but also personal stories. It explains why certain dishes are special to her.
Many people praised The Up South Cookbook. Brooklyn Magazine said the recipes were "approachable for even novice cooks." This means they are easy for new cooks to follow. The magazine also noted that the stories in the book make it more than just a cookbook. The New Republic described it as a mix of personal history, migration stories, and recipes.
The cookbook was called a "must-have" by NBC News for Southern soul cooking. Essence, USA Today, Paste Magazine, and Yahoo Food all listed it as one of the best cookbooks in 2015. Yahoo especially liked how Taylor used new ingredients and her own experiences to create unique recipes.
Her Podcast and Other Work
From 2009 to 2013, Nicole Taylor hosted a podcast called Hot Grease. It was on the Heritage Radio Network and focused on food culture. In 2017, Brooklyn Magazine included her on their list of 100 influential people in Brooklyn culture. They recognized her work on The Up South Cookbook and her podcast.
Nicole Taylor also worked as the director of special projects for chef Claus Meyer's Brownsville Community Culinary Center. This center helps people learn cooking skills.
Awards and Recognition
In 2020, Nicole Taylor received two nominations for the James Beard Foundation Award. These awards are very important in the food world. She was nominated for her personal essays and for innovative storytelling.
Her Second Cookbook: Watermelon & Red Birds
In 2022, Nicole Taylor released her second cookbook, Watermelon & Red Birds: A Cookbook for Juneteenth and Black Celebrations. This book was published by Simon & Schuster. It focuses on recipes for Juneteenth and other Black celebrations.
