Nicolette “Nikki” Dinki (born May 11, 1983) is an American cook, cookbook author and blogger. She came to prominence as a contestant on the ninth season of the Food Network series Food Network Star, and she served as co-host of the Cooking Channel series Junk Food Flip, which aired from 2014 to 2016.
Dinki was born in Clarence, New York. She attended Clarence High School and graduated in 2001.
In 2006, Dinki appeared in The Sopranos sixth season episode “Johnny Cakes” as A.J. Sopranos girlfriend Bibi.
In May 2013, it was announced that Dinki had been selected as a contestant on the ninth season of the Food Network series Food Network Star. During the course of the series, she emphasized her semi-vegetarian lifestyle, which she often referred to as her “meat-on-the-side” ideology. Dinki was eliminated from the show on July 28, 2013, finishing in fifth place.
In August 2014, Dinki filmed a pilot for a potential series for Cooking Channel called Junk Food Flip. In April 2015, it was announced that the pilot would be picked up for a full series; and that fellow chef Bobby Deen would serve as co-host. The series officially premiered on June 2, 2015.
Dinkis husband, Evan, is a lawyer; they married in 2010. When she returned to Food Network Star for the ninth season finale, she announced that she was pregnant with a girl; however, she later suffered a stillbirth at 40 weeks. Her daughter was named Willa; and Dinki created a recipe called Willas Lemonade Cheesecakes in her honor.
In January 2016, it was reported that Dinki was pregnant with her second child, who was due to be born in April 2016. In March 2016, she announced that the child would be a girl. Dinki announced the arrival of her daughter, Ivy, in May 2016.
Well, it actually started with an online cooking show on youtube…You see, ever since I existed I have been performing. It started with plays in my living room, than in my community, my school and eventually at 15 I started commuting 8 hours to NYC for auditions. All I wanted to do was perform and be creative. And a few (many!) years later I am still in NYC pursuing my childhood dream.
It wasn’t easy but I just started trying things, and I discovered that if I tried a new food 5 times, I didn’t hate it anymore…15 times and I almost liked it…25 times and I started craving it! And at that moment the whole world opened up to me. Flavor after new flavor deliciously assaulted my deprived and pathetic taste buds showing me just what I was missing. I tasted the subtleties in food and began creating these flavors at home. I immersed myself into cooking, finding it a fascinating, empowering, creative outlet where I got to play, experiment and create. Before I knew it food took over my life.
I grew up in a big family where the only way to be heard was to be louder than the person next to you. Thus my sometimes overzealous way of speaking 😉 I grew up being called “Picky Nikki”, though “picky” was a kind word to describe my horrendous and dramatic eating habits. After years of all out tantrums and sneaking my plate to the bathroom to slide my dinner down the air vent (It really never occurred to be to put it in the toilet) my parents finally gave up, and at the age of 9 I was allowed to eat whatever I wanted…but they would not make it for me. Sooooooo…a healthy childhood diet of ramen noodles, cereal, and bagels later I found myself living in NYC still eating less variety than a 2 year old.
Most recently food has continued to take me on many amazing adventures including appearing on Food Network Star Season 9, writing two cookbooks, Meat On The Side and More Veggies Please! Appearing in my own Food Network Series Junk Food Flip. and cooking on countless other TV shows. And the best part is that the adventure is only begining…
Nikki Dinki is a chef, author, mom, TV host, comedy writer and picky-eater-turned-veggie-lover who is spreading the delicious veggie word! You can flip through her award-winning first book, Meat On The Side, follow her food-driven adventures and unique creations on multiple Food Network and Cooking Channel series, and watch her share recipes and tips regularly on the Wendy Williams, Dr. Oz, Nick Cannon and Today show. Her newest cookbook More Veggies Please! has recently hit the marketplace with a bang helping bring even more veggies to favorite family recipes.
Dinki was born in Clarence, New York. She attended Clarence High School and graduated in 2001.
In May 2013, it was announced that Dinki had been selected as a contestant on the ninth season of the Food Network series Food Network Star. During the course of the series, she emphasized her semi-vegetarian lifestyle, which she often referred to as her “meat-on-the-side” ideology. Dinki was eliminated from the show on July 28, 2013, finishing in fifth place.
In January 2016, it was reported that Dinki was pregnant with her second child, who was due to be born in April 2016. In March 2016, she announced that the child would be a girl. Dinki announced the arrival of her daughter, Ivy, in May 2016.
Nicolette “Nikki” Dinki (born May 11, 1983) is an American cook, cookbook author and blogger. She came to prominence as a contestant on the ninth season of the Food Network series Food Network Star, and she served as co-host of the Cooking Channel series Junk Food Flip, which aired from 2014 to 2016.
In 2006, Dinki appeared in The Sopranos sixth season episode “Johnny Cakes” as A.J. Sopranos girlfriend Bibi.
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FAQ
Where is Nikki Dinki from?
Who is Dinki’s husband on Food Network Star?
Dinki’s husband, Evan, is a lawyer; they married in 2010. When she returned to Food Network Star for the ninth season finale, she announced that she was pregnant with a girl; however, she later suffered a stillbirth at 40 weeks.
Who is Nikki Dinki?
More Veggies Please!: Personalized by Nikki Dinki Official website of Nikki Dinki, chef, TV host, and cookbook author. Discover delicious vegetable-focused recipes for every day.
When did Dinki & Evan get married?
In April 2015, it was announced that the pilot would be picked up for a full series; and that fellow chef Bobby Deen would serve as co-host. The series officially premiered on June 2, 2015. Dinki’s husband, Evan, is a lawyer; they married in 2010.
Who is ‘Junk Food Flip’ co-host Nikki Dinki?
Meet the co-host of Junk Food Flip . Nikki Dinki, a finalist on Season 9 of Food Network Star, created an online cooking show to highlight her semi-vegetarian culinary style and to share her newfound joy of cooking.