Community Magazine November 2019

CHESHVAN 5780 NOVEMBER 2019 57 refined ingredients and making her favorite ones “cleaner.” Nicole customizes dishes to her clients' needs. All cooking is done at her store with a mashgiach (JSOR) on the premises. Nicole caters meat, dairy, and pareve meals. Nicole’s retail store includes a line of pareve and dairy takeaway items (Grab 'N Go Lunch) and a freezer case filled with ready to heat and serve dinner fill-ins. Nicole explained that menus vary by season. Customers prefer lighter foods in the summer and the hagim are geared more towards meat dishes. Meal options include low sugar, gluten-free, and salt-free. She offers “soup to nut service,” providing everything for an event - food, drinks, desserts, and waiter service. NK delivers on the Jersey Shore and during the year to Brooklyn, the Five Towns, and Florida. Florida shipments include Passover. Nicole’s Secret Sauce We each have a special spark that makes us unique and contributes to our success. Nicole’s clients tell her that she is very calm and organized and that she transmits her state of calmness to them. They say, “We couldn’t make it through the summer without you!” Others admit, “We are only hosting because you are helping us, Nicole.” Nicole added that summer residents like to entertain a lot and yet also want to relax. She provides that service. “We fill a need, the desire to entertain and not spend one’s time in the kitchen. We take the work out of home-cooked meals, and our clients can serve them as their own. We also offer supplemental dishes.” This author can relate to that! I admit to cooking my own chicken and fish but supplementing with store-bought salads and side dishes. Nicole’s daughter Nina admires her mother’s people skills. “Mommy, you know how to talk to people.” Nicole confessed that she learned how to relate to her clients as she developed her business. She sincerely cares about her customers and enjoys connecting with them, building relationships, and collaborating with them for meals and special occasions. Nicole’s secret to success is also her constant and consistent belief, emunah, that whatever happens is for a reason. Nicole continues to grow personally, spiritually, and professionally. Nicole’s Kitchen lights her up. Nicole enjoys taking on new projects. She becomes excited about the new summer season or the holidays, and creating tailored and styled menus for her clients’ events, e.g. brit milot, children’s birthday parties, engagement parties, school events (seminars and after school programs), Shabbat and holiday meals, women’s brunches, senior events, and even small weddings. How did Nicole’s business grow? Definitely through word of mouth. People asked me to make certain dishes or I would cook with my friends and they told other people and the business grew.” Nicole keeps up with the latest cookbooks and recipes and tweaks them to make them her own. Balance Her challenges? Juggling family and work. “My biggest struggles are related to work-life balance, being home on time for my children after school, leaving the house early to cater a brit milah. My husband is beyond supportive, always available for the kids and helping them when I am not there.” Eddie and the children are so proud of Nicole, and the kids often exclaim, “Mommy, everyone knows you, you are a celebrity!” Lessons Learned Nicole encourages aspiring caterers to go after what they want and to accept that food is very personal and everybody has an opinion. “If someone gives you advice, ‘you should do it this way,’ listen respectfully, and if it doesn’t work for you, say thank you and do it your way - in the best way possible.” Hakarat Hatov Nicole acknowledges that she couldn’t have created the business without Mom and Dad, who are actively involved in NK. “I didn’t think about role models until my late teens. We are shaped when real life hits us. I learned so much from my parents. Everyone has a role at NK. My mom, who everyone recognizes from her Hillel days, helped me start the business when I was ready to go out on my own, and partners with me to supervise everything. She is supportive and easy-going, and is an expert on the Syrian staples. My dad joined full time around seven years ago and is very likeable and laid-back. He does all the shopping.” Nicole is very grateful for the help and support she and her family have received from her husband’s parents, Nina and Abo Shamah. Nicole also expressed her gratitude to the community, “They are there for each other no matter what - in good and sad times.” Keep your eyes out for new dishes at Nicole’s Kitchen. Nicole is always adding and changing things up. To connect with Nicole, call her at the store (732-531-1405) or drop by at 323 Main Street in Allenhurst, or email her at nicoleskitchen1@gmail.com . Ellen Geller Kamaras, CPA/MBA, is an International Coach Federation (ICF) Associate Certified Coach. She can be contacted at  ellen@lifecoachellen.com ( www.lifecoachellen.com) .