Bay Ridge resident shines on ‘100 Cooks’

BAY RIDGE — Another local is a thriving contestant on Food Network’s competition show “100 Cooks.” During the show’s second episode, which aired June 14, content creator and Bay Ridge resident Nikki Apostolou won best weeknight meal.

She’s lived in Bay Ridge for the last 20 years, having grown up in Bensonhurst.

“I was so excited when I found out I was chosen,” Apostolou said about getting on the show. “I had received a pass in the past, and so I didn’t know if they would pass on me again. You go through multiple rounds of interviews with different people — casting, production, the network. It’s like a long job interview, but when you get the call, it’s the happiest moment.”

She said that her kids were the most excited, especially when she won.

“I made Three Sisters Stew, which is one of their favorites,” she explained of the dish that consists of corn, beans and squash. “They were excited to see me and what I made. I was getting calls from my family across the country and Canada, congratulating me. My heart was very full.”

Apostolou has been cooking since she was 20. She wanted to really learn how to make a lot of different dishes. She would read “Real Simple” magazine and then cook everything in the issue.

“It didn’t matter what it was, I’d try it,” she said. “Growing up, my mom inspired me and influenced me. She would try something or like something and then come home and make her own version of it. She was always trying to be creative and step outside the box from our traditional dishes, too.” 

While winning a challenge was rewarding, Apostolou said being able to bring First Nations indigenous representation on a show airing globally was a highlight.

“I’m originally from a native territory, Kahnawake Mohawk Territory, which is just south of Montreal in Canada,” she said. “Our territory has a deep connection to Brooklyn and the areas of Bay Ridge, all the way to Downtown Brooklyn.” 

“Natives from our territory would come down in the early 1900’s to work on the Empire State building, the Chrysler building, Rockefeller Center and even the George Washington Bridge,” Apostolou explained. “They brought their families here. The Mohawk ironworkers were known as skywalkers. We used to have a Mohawk enclave here in Brooklyn before the 1960s. Many ironworkers from my territory are still here in Bay Ridge today.”

Shortly after she was born, Apostolou’s family moved to Bensonhurst. She attended elementary and junior high school in Bay Ridge at what is now Gateway City Academy, spending a year at Visitation Academy.

“When I was a kid, my grandma would always take me shopping with her down 86th. I always had wonderful memories in the neighborhood, so when I got into my 20s, I came to Bay Ridge as a resident,” she said. “I raised my three kids here, and they get to experience the wonderful community, as well as the parks. My husband and I love the restaurants, too. You never need to go to the city.”

She enjoyed her time on the show, thanks to the crew and other contestants.

She enjoyed her time on the show, thanks to the crew and other contestants.

“Terry Crews was a great host, and he really cared about us. He would check in, and he knew us by name,” she said. “The judges Alex Guarnaschelli and Nick DiGiovanni helped us grow as home cooks with their advice.”

Most of the cooks have stayed in touch via a group chat. 

“I could never imagine having 90-plus friends that I could reach out to to talk about life and food,” Apostolou said.

Apostolou is a full-time content creator, mother of three, and a plus-size model. She also has a line of indigenous candles and soaps called Walking Sky Candles.

Another Bay Ridge resident, Danielle Caminiti, is also a contestant on the show.