NIKKIA RHODES

JCPS culinary instructor, Lee Initiative Women’s Chef Program, manager of the David McAtee Community Kitchen

Equipped with an unwavering commitment to service, Chef Nikkia Rhodes has become a celebrated culinary artist, educator and activist.

Born and raised in Louisville, Kentucky, her mother exposed her to the art of cooking when she was still a child. Her mother, an employee at the Volunteers of America, would take Rhodes to work with her, shaping her outlook on the community benefits of mutual aid and service.

In 2015, after graduating from the Jefferson Community and Technical College culinary program, she began working with Chef Edward Lee at MilkWood and then worked at 610 Magnolia. Because of her passion for teaching and supporting others through the learning process, she began working at Turnip the Beet in 2017, where she is now a Chef Instructor for children ages 2-17. In 2018, she started the culinary program for all grade levels at Iroquois High School as part of Jefferson County Public Schools’ Academies program.

A graduate of the LEE Initiative, which gave her the opportunity to cook at the James Beard House in New York City, she now leads the David McAtee Community Kitchen. The non-profit cooking space gives food aid to underserved communities who need assistance during the COVID pandemic.

To learn more, check out our blogs KTW Culinary Spotlight: Chef Nikkia Rhodes Is Staying in School and Nikkia Rhodes Promotes Learning in the McAtee Community Kitchen.