Patterns and colors connect cooking with fashion in the same manner chef Nicole Votano can connect farmers markets, DJ Khaled, and Martha Stewart in her careerโalways with her beloved Ferragamos on her feet!
Nicole Votano is a recognized chef serving celebrities and foodies all around the world with her Another Wing by DJ Khaled brand. Not only a successful businesswoman and chef, but also a mom and fashion enthusiast, Nicole was a guest on the first episode of the โI Want Her Shoesโ podcast.
Fashionable Beginnings of a True Chef
Nicole shared her history, highlighting the strong influence her father had. As a regional VP of Ferragamo, a global fashion accessories and shoe brand, fashion and beauty were key topics in their household. Choosing to be a chef rather than a manager was a bold decision.
โI used to go with my dad to the farmers marketsโฆthat was a really special thingโฆmy mom wasnโt the big shopper or cooker, so it was me and him,โ Nicole says in the podcast. Yet despite not being a shopper, her mom also influenced her culinary interests. โMy mom would plan our vacations around the Michelin Guide. Even the hotels and everything was chosen around that,โ she adds.
Nevertheless, picking this path was not obvious at the time. Yet again, Nicole received full support from her family. โI was surprised that they were really welcoming of it. And my dad always wanted to open a restaurant,โ she said.
The Art of the Launch: Collaborating With DJ Khaled and Martha Stewart
As an inspired businesswoman, Nicole grew professionallyโas a chef and as a manager alike. In a conversation with Anna Anisin, she describes the process, challenges, and complexities that come with bringing a new brand to the global market. โWe launched Another Wing by DJ Khaledโฆ500 locations worldwide. That was the largest launch of any concept ever,โ she says.
The launch would have been impossible without leveraging ghost kitchens that allowed fast scaling of the business.
Nicole also elaborated on her cooperation with other celebrities, namely Martha Stewart, a popular writer and television personality. โWith Martha Stewart, itโs all about class, great ingredients, and techniqueโwhich is definitely how I cook and how I like to live my life,โ said Nicole. Yet when collaborating with people who have such a strong personal brand and personality, it is necessary to find a balance between their demands and Nicoleโs personal style.
Kitchen, Fashion, and Family. All at Once
Being a chef at the height of her career didnโt stop Nicole from being a mom. But it required some juggling. Thatโs why she decided to switch her focus from the busy schedules of fine-dining kitchens to consultancy and entrepreneurship. โMy kids are 14 and 16โฆ I decided not to stay with fine dining because I just couldnโt balance itโฆ didnโt want to give up that time with them,โ she comments.
Even as a busy mom and entrepreneur, Nicole finds time to follow her long-term passion for fashion, though the beginnings were challenging. โWhen I first started as a chef, girls had to wear the boy brandsโฆyou looked like a box in those clothes. Nowโฆitโs different; they make more for women,โ she says.
Now she makes her kitchen a more fashion-friendly place by bringing in custom aprons and chef coats that are functional and trendy alike.
The Future
In her conversation with Anna, Nicole shared her thoughts on how colors, patterns, and shapes must be composed to be aesthetically pleasing. She also discussed her future plans.
โIโm working on opening my own restaurant and market in Brickell next yearโฆIโm also working on a really amazing sauce brand about to launch,โ she said.
The full conversation can be watched on YouTube, where Martha and Anna not only talk about fashion but also show the pieces of clothing theyโre discussing.
Follow us for more updates:
- Podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iwanthershoespodcast/
- Nicole Votano’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thechefnicole/ย
- Annaโs Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iwanthershoes/
