Chef of the Month / Nicole Brisson / April

Chef Nicole Brisson

Restaurant: Carne Vino Italian Steakhouse

3325 S Las Vegas Blvd

Las Vegas, NV 89109

When did you know you wanted to be a chef?

I knew I wanted to be a chef when I was 14. My mom grew up working in my grandfathers' restaurant and is an amazing cook. I took my first prep/dishwasher job when I was 14. As soon as I could I started the Vocational Culinary Program my junior year of high school.

What are your hobbies outside of the kitchen?

Believe it or not I enjoy cooking for friends and family when I'm not cooking professionally. I also love to garden and read when I get home. Now that I live in Vegas I try to get up to Red Rock when I can to hike and rock climb.

Everyone remembers their first encounter with burrata. What is yours?

The first time I ate burrata it was like fresh mozzarella on crack! The best fresh mozzarella and burrata come from Campania and when we found this local product we were all very excited!

If you could make dinner for one person, who would it be?

My grandfather. He passed away when I was very young but it would be so much to me if he could see where I am today.

What it your favorite dish to cook and why?

Perogis. My mom held on to a lot of the Chezch, Ukranian and Polish traditions and foods of our family. Eating a good perogi reminds me of my childhood.