I’m a professionally trained chef, recipe developer, food writer, and tv personality best known for being second runner up on the 10th season of Food Network Star. From 2010 through 2015, I owned and operated a personal chef and catering service called The Dinner Belle. I have a degree in Communications from Louisiana State University and studied both hot foods and pastry at the Academy of Culinary Arts. I have over 15 years of experience working in the food and beverage industries.
I’m a brand ambassador for Australis Barramundi also host a syndicated TV show called The Chef’s Kitchen. In 2017, I opened a little shop in my hometown of Brigantine, NJ, called Soulberri. We sell smoothies, smoothie bowls, and amazing locally roasted coffee. We’re closed for the winter and will be reopening May 4th, 2019!
In April 2019, I’m releasing my very first cookbook, called the Art of the Smoothie Bowl. It details a lot of the methods I used to develop our signature recipes at Soulberri, and also includes many of them.
To learn more about my professional experience and explore the ways we can work together, please visit the Work with Coley page.
I mostly post recipes, but I’ll occasionally pop in to take you on a tour of my garden or tell you about my experiences traveling to new and exciting places. Whether you’re a novice or a pro, there’s a little something here for everyone. I tackle everything from making a basic tomato sauce to curing and smoking your own bacon.
My style of cooking is dictated mostly by the seasons since I’m lucky enough to experience all four of them where I live. You’ll find lots of garden-inspired, veggie-centric recipes, plus plenty of sweet treats, as I have a mouth full of sweet teeth. You’ll also find lots of seafood, a little bit of meat, plenty of pasta, some breakfast, the occasional beverage and even a few homemade beauty products. Oh! And tomatoes. Sooo many tomatoes. It’s a major obsession.
I was lucky enough to marry a handsome fella named Chaser. He’s a unique guy with a unique name and I like it that way. One day we’re going to live in an amazing house on the water that he designs just for us.
We live on the southern Jersey coast and spend as much time with our feet in the sand and sea as possible. We love gardening, surfing, sailing, fishing, traveling, seeing live music / comedy shows and playing with our chocolate labradoodle, Phoebe. We also love eating, but isn’t that a given?
I have a big sense of humor and always write this blog with a smile, so please, always read it with one. 🙂
For inquiries about content, sponsorship, advertisements, appearances or just to say “hey!” drop me a line at ColeyCooks at gmail dot com (I have to write it that way to fool the spambots).
I love reading your comments and do my best to reply to every single one. I hope you’ll subscribe, and please stay in touch via Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, Pinterest and Facebook!
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