My name is Nikia (also known as Nik, Kia, Pinksands, pink-shirt, or another other variation of my name or descriptive qualities that my fellow Bahamians affectionately refer to me as). I write many of the blog posts that appear on the eBistro website, and since I met the Showman team last year, I have experienced nothing short of a family. There is a genuine warmth, camaraderie, and kindness that you don’t come across very often. As a result, I felt very honored and proud to be asked to take part in their Showman Chef Series. 

I work full time in the Public Relations/Communications/Marketing field, but my undeniable passion is food, travel, and embracing culture – my own and that of other countries. In addition to managing my passion project (Pinksands242), and being a featured food writer on Bahamas.com, I love experiencing new foods & flavours. At one point, I even dreamt of being a Professional Chef, but I soon realized that I did not possess what it took to master a fast paced, high energy kitchen. I may not have had the temperament to be a great chef, but I greatly respect the profession.

When it came time to decide what I wanted to prepare for the Showman Chef Series, I was given free reign and I excitedly exclaimed – “Yuzu!” I “discovered” yuzu on my first trip to Japan, at Starbucks no less, and I fell in love with the flavour. It just reminded me of adventure, happiness, and since I tried it on my first solo trip – it reminded me of freedom.

From there, I thought back to my one Restaurant Management class during undergrad. I wanted to think up something that would be easy to translate to a restaurant menu, included flavours that I loved, but would still appeal to a wide audience. I then decided on Salt and Pepper Shrimp and Furikake Seasoned Fries – which I thought would be the perfect vessels for some flavourful sauces. (For those wondering, furikake is a popular seaweed based seasoning that traditionally goes on top of cooked white rice and gives it an added burst of flavour. I have found that it goes great on french fries.) I then chose a sriracha sour cream and a wasabi aioli for a bit of a creamy kick, as well as a yuzu ponzu for some bright, slightly sweet, citrus flavour. I rounded out the dish with a tangy Asian inspired slaw.

I’m not a professional chef, so the Showman team took my rough ingredient estimates, tested the recipe, and on the night of the Showman Chef Series, I simply had to show up and see my chosen dish come to life. 

I hope that everyone who got to try my creation, enjoyed it. And, it was a pleasure to be able to take part.

The Showman Chef Series Showcases Dinner Specials By Weekly Guest Chefs

Amazing food knows no limits. While professionally trained chefs can craft culinary masterpieces that weave unique flavours, textures and diverse ingredients into edible works of art, there are many who are gifted with a natural passion and love for food.

Several weeks ago, The Showman Restaurant launched their Chef Series, and invited professional chefs and home cooks to showcase their love of amazing food and recipes on the Showman menu, for one night only.  To date, there have been several familiar faces on the Chef Series line-up. And, we decided to ask them all the same three questions to learn a bit more about who they are and what motivates them.

Nikia Wells

Showman Chef Series Featured Dish:

Salt and Pepper Shrimp and Furikake Seasoned Fries with a Trip of Sauces & an Asian Inspired Slaw

Nikia’s’ featured night has passed, but be sure to visit her IG pages to see what she will be up to, next. IG @pinksands242

Q: What excites you most about cooking?

A: I like food. Full stop. Growing up, we didn’t have a lot of money, but my mom would let us watch lots of cooking and travel shows. And, I always said that when I got older and I had a few coins, I would try ALL THE FOODS. I love playing with flavours and ingredients, and there is no better feeling than being able to share a “food find” or new dish with a friend, and they end up loving something that they have never tried before. 

Q: What is one tip that you would share with other home cooks?

A: Try everything. Be adventurous. And, play with flavours. Sometimes you hit, sometimes you miss, but sometimes you will create magic.

Q: What is one ingredient that you think every kitchen should have?

A: Cheese. This is a biased view because I just love cheese and will find a way to sneak it in just about any dish. You can have it on it’s own, in salads, add it to sandwiches, put it in pasta…cheese is just a star. 

More featured chefs will be announced soon, so be on the lookout on the Showman pages for who will be sharing their flavour packed dishes, next.