Chef Niko was born and raised in the small town of Atchison in Northeast Kansas. He is a self taught Chef and following the guidance of his father and mother he began to hone and master his skills in the kitchen. His family has had a restaurant in Atchison, KS since 1980 and when he was young he always knew that cooking was something that he wanted to do. "I grew up watching my parents cook and prepare such amazing dishes. There was something magical about it all. When I was old enough to start working in the kitchen there was something about the buzz of a busy kitchen and the creativity and simplicity of cooking that really drew me in. This is one of the reasons why I chose to pursue a career as a Chef." Since then, he has recently taken over the family business after 3 years as the head chef for his Uncle's Italian restaurant Aviano's just south of Atlanta. "I have always had a focus on being more than a chef. I try to be an inspiration as well." His focus on fresh ingredients, sustainable sourcing, and using quality ingredients is what sets Chef Niko apart from other Chefs in the area. "I have always had a passion for cooking and how you can transform everyday ingredients into truly stunning dishes that can in a way express who you are as a chef."