A James Beard Award-nominated food writer, home cook, consultant, and producer, Nicole A. Taylor is the author of Watermelon & Red Birds: A Cookbook for Juneteenth and Black Celebrations, the very first cookbook to celebrate Juneteenth. In addition to her other cookbooks, The Up South Cookbook and The Last O.G. Cookbook, Nicole has written for Resy, FoodPrint, Bon Appétit, the New York Times, and Food & Wine. In 2014, she made a short film, If We So Choose, introducing audiences to unsung heroes who led civil rights protests at an Athens, Georgia hot dog joint. Nicole has been featured in the LATimes, Wall Street Journal, Washington Post, NPR, Apple, and Oxford American and on BET, TODAY and NBC News.
When Taylor became the executive food editor at Thrillist in 2019, she was one of the few Black women to lead a mainstream food publication and the first in digital media. Brooklyn Magazine named Taylor to its list of 100 influential people in Brooklyn culture, and her cookbooks have graced more than two dozen "best" lists.
From 2009 to 2014, Nicole was a fresh voice documenting the food revolution's surge from the arugula elite to everyday people with her podcast, Hot Grease. Also, she leveraged her futuristic vision with savvy team building to publish the Modern Travelers' Green Zine, a indie publication focused on travel and food.
Nicole is among the most respected and sought-after voices in food media. She has given talks for Google (Black&), AmeriHealth Caritas, Ohio State University, U.S. Embassy Ottawa, and Martha's Vineyard Magazine (Cook the Vineyard). She works as a restaurant and storytelling consultant, and her client list includes Chef JJ Johnson, Chef BJ Dennis, Brownsville Community Culinary Center (Chef Claus Meyer), Bridge Street Development Corporation (Ave NYC grant), Kingsborough Community College Farm and Garden (Project Rise), and Brooklyn Food Coalition.
Taylor has given her time to The Edna Lewis Foundation, the Museum of Food & Drink, and the Street Vendor Project (Vendy Awards). She earned a BS in Community Health Education from Clark Atlanta University. Taylor serves as a mentor to Anne Saxelby Legacy Fund apprentices. Nicole is working on lifestyle products inspired by her vacation house—The Maroon, and a new cookbook. She lives with her husband and son in New York City and Athens, GA.
Bylines
After season 2 of ‘High on the Hog,’ there is more to be told
The Up South Cookbook
The Up South Cookbook is a bridge to the past and a door to the future. The recipes in this deeply personal cookbook offer classic Southern favorites informed and updated by newly-discovered ingredients and different cultures.
The Last O.G Cookbook
With The Last O.G. Cookbook features recipes inspired by the hit TBS comedy. Enjoy soulful, addictive dishes like Dessert Loaf, Wild-Style Lasagna, Prison Pad Thai, and Brooklyn-inspired classics.
The Modern Travelers’ Green Zine
The Modern Travelers’ Green Zine is a self-published food and travel publication inspired by Victor Green’s The Negro Travelers’ Green Book. Taylor’s volumes shone a light on Philadelphia’s Black food scene and the best fried chicken in New York City
Hot Grease
Hot Grease was a food culture podcast where the American South and local food systems intersected. As host, Nicole reminded people what’s great about food: reclaiming culinary traditions & celebrations, cooking at home, and eating as a political act.