Hey there! I’m Nicole Gaffney, or Coley as I’m known to friends and family. I’m a professionally trained chef, author, recipe developer and tv personality.
You might recognize me as being a regular guest on QVC, host of The Chef’s Kitchen (a syndicated cooking show) or as the second runner up on season 10 of Food Network Star.
I have over 20 years of experience working in all realms of the food industry. I started scooping ice cream when I was 14 and then worked in multiple restaurants, as both front and back of the house. I attended the Academy of Culinary Arts while managing an upscale Italian market and teaching cooking classes, then started a private chef business where I prepared meals for clients and catered small events. In 2017, I opened a smoothie shop in my hometown, called Soulberri, and later went on to write a cook book called The Art of the Smoothie Bowl.
I started this blog as a hobby, but over the years it’s morphed into a full-time job that I love more than anything I’ve ever done professionally. My recipes are inspired by my Italian background, traveling and the seasons. I eat healthy 80% of the time, but always save room for sweets and treats, especially around the holidays. I believe that food is medicine, but it’s also an immense source of happiness that should be celebrated and enjoyed without guilt.
My food philosophy is simple: Cook seasonally, use quality, whole-food ingredients and practice your technique. No one became a great cook overnight – it takes patience, repetition and messing a few things up. Don’t let one burnt dinner discourage you from trying again – it happens to the best of us! Cooking for friends and family is one of the purest ways to show love, and it’s my mission to inspire you to do it more confidently, more often.
I’ve had the opportunity to work with a number of wonderful food and cooking brands, producing recipes, photography, videos and other content, as well as representing them on television, at trade shows and events. Interested in working together? Drop me a line at ColeyCooks @ gmail.com.
I live at the southern Jersey shore with my husband, Chaser, and our chocolate labradoodle, Phoebe. We spend as much time with our feet in the sand and sea as possible. When I’m not in the kitchen, I love tending to my garden, traveling to new places and seeing live music and stand-up comedy.
I have a big sense of humor and always write this blog with a smile, so please, always read it with one. 🙂 Subscribe to my newsletter so you never miss a recipe and stay in touch via Instagram, YouTube, Pinterest, Facebook and Twitter!
All content, including photographs and recipes, is property of Nicole Gaffney, unless otherwise stated. For more information, please see my Privacy Policy.
Nicole Gaffney, aka Coley, is a professionally trained chef, recipe developer, tv host and food writer.
Nicole
My husband and I have been enjoying your recipies, yummmmm and I am wondering if you have written or will be writing a cookbook.
I’m so glad to hear that! I have not written a book yet, but it is on my bucket list 🙂
Hi Coley,
My family just finished watching the Food Network Star season on Netflix. You’r pilot was the best! We definitely said that was a show we would want watch.
Thank you so much! This is always so nice to hear. Hope you stay in touch and follow my blog and YouTube channel! I haven’t given up on the dream 🙂
Hi coley. I just watched food network star and im bummed you didn’t win. You’re a great chef and great on camera and pretty. I wish you were on TV. Im only 12 but I’ll give cooking a shot. I wish my mom could cook like you 🙂 well this is long sorry so by now
Hey Caleb! Thank you so much for your comment!! I appreciate your support of me on Food Network Star! I didn’t win, but I’ve been creating cooking videos on my YouTube channel – I’d love it if you gave them a watch and subscribed! Here’s a link: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJRXsvWyyquM3ZYcN_xbBNQ
Hi mrs. Gaffney, you did great on food network star! You’re a great chef and great on camera and pretty. I’m 12 and I’ll start cooking because you. You’re my new role model, and mr gaffney I appreciate the work you do as a fire man
My husband says thank you, too!
Im really not sure if i repeated my comment but sorry I’m stupid and this is confusing i dont even know if mah comments posted
Since you are new to my site, I had to approve your comments before they could show up. You’re NOT stupid! I can be confusing at first 🙂
Hi! I watched your season of Food Network Star on Netflix and really thought you deserved to win! You are very talented and I enjoy your youtube videos! I have two questions:
1. Would it be possible for you to post a video on making pie crust? I always struggle with it, and end up buying one from the grocery store!
2. Sorry if this question is nosey, but you seem so warm and friendly and I think you would be a great mom! Do you have any interest in having kids one day?
Hey Jamie, thanks so much for writing! I am 100% planning on posting a video on how to make pie crust just in time for the holiday pie making season. There’s nothing like homemade pie crust, and once you master it, you’ll never go back to store bought again. Stay tuned!
As for whether or not I plan on having children, I’m still not sure. I love the idea in theory, but have a lot of personal fears surrounding the subject. You are very sweet for saying you think I’d be a great mom!! I’m hoping to become a doggy mom very soon, however. 🙂
I just read this updated “About” section, and the last line just killed me… because Coley, I too was married at 25 and still have not cleaned my wedding dress, and I’m glad to know I am not the only one, and it is hysterical that you mentioned that 🙂
Haha! So funny, Ash. I mean, what’s the point anyway? It’s not like I’m ever going to wear it again!
Hi, I just wanted to thank you for the recipe for Sunday Brasciole, I think I found it in the Press of AC, I made it for dinner today and to say that it was delicious does not do it justice, oh my heaven I have not enjoyed a flank steak recipe so much in years! The whole family thoroughly enjoyed it and I am sure it will be made and enjoyed many times in the future, thanks again and all the best to you and your family.
Anne
Thank you, Anne! I’m so glad you loved the braciole and will continue to make it many more times! I hope you subscribe to my blog so you’ll receive my recipes in your mailbox each week. Thanks for your comment and hope to hear from you again soon 😉
Hi! I’m sure you’re very busy, but I think your blog is amazing and just wanted to let you know I nominated you for a Liebster Award! If you’re interested, check out my blog for the rules/details: https://cookingatsabrinas.com/about-2/2016-liebster-award-nominations/
Hey Sabrina! Wow – thank you! I’m so honored! I’ll definitely check out the rules. I’d love to participate. 🙂
Hi Coley,
I’m Michael with Protein Goalz. We came across your page and love your style. We’re looking for amazing influencers/brand ambassadors like you to rep Protein Goalz. If you’re interested we’d love to send you some samples to try out. In addition, we’ll also give you a unique promo code and you’ll get 15% of each sale you generate.
You can take a look at some of our channels and see our website here:
Website: https://proteingoalz.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/proteingoalz/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/proteingoalz/
I know you’re busy working on your amazing content and we’d love to be a part of it! Please let me know if you’re interested in working with us and I’d be happy to provide you with more details and next steps.
I look forward to hearing from you!
Best,
Michael
Hi,
My name is Andy and I am the Founder of Dragon Acupuncture.
My partner and I have a very active presence on Pinterest. We have boards with over 1 million followers.
I was researching “Gua Sha” posts and came across your article “Coley’s Favorite Things: My 2018 Holiday Gift Guide | Coley Cooks…. ”
Would it be possible to edit the article “https://coleycooks.com/2018-holiday-gift-guide/” and add the line “You can also check Gua Sha Tools for Face” and at the text “Gua Sha Tools for Face” add a link to my article “https://www.amazon.com/Dragon-Acupuncture-Anti-Aging-Scraping-Acupressure/dp/B078RL86LJ”? If you are an amazon affiliate, you can add your code at the end so that you can get referral commission.
In return I would be happy to promote the blog post on our Pinterest boards. I will drip feed the post across our 40 boards (over 1 million followers) over the next one month so you get consistent and regular traffic.
I’ll share it about 100 times over the month on Pinterest. As you may know, Pinterest links too are counted by Google as a ranking factor and it will help the page get Google traffic too.
If it works well i.e. you see a significant increase in traffic, we can start working on a regular basis on blog posts and social media promotion in the future.
Looking forward to your reply.
Regards
Andy
“Producing a TV cooking show with you”
I’m a producer for several major networks across the USA airing cooking shows. I’m interested in having a conversation with you to learn more about your food and your experience. I think there could be a good fit to go to a network that is looking for something like this. Please let me know if you have time to speak this week.
Thanks
Richard Wayne
Producer