Meet Chef Nini

Chef Nini’s culinary journey began in her family’s kitchen, where her grandmother, mother, and sisters, all skilled cooks and culinary school graduates, inspired her passion for food. Growing up, she learned that food is love and enjoyed creating dishes that brought people together. Her curiosity to craft signature meals led her to formal culinary training, further honing her skills.

Chef Nini began teaching culinary skills to kids, teens, and adults in Calgary, driven by her love for food and a desire to educate her community about nutrition. In 2010, Chef Nini turned her passion for food and teaching into reality by founding Nini’s Cooking Academy in Calgary. Her vision was to create a space where children could explore the joy of cooking while learning essential life skills. Drawing inspiration from her experiences teaching in group homes, where she saw the impact of teaching practical cooking skills, and her volunteer efforts in her community, Chef Nini developed a program focused on fostering confidence, independence, and a love for global cuisine.

Even before launching Nini’s Cooking Academy, Chef Nini was passionate about education and support. While helping children with their homework, she noticed the importance of ensuring they had eaten a healthy meal first. This naturally evolved into teaching them how to cook and bake, providing them with essential life skills while reinforcing the value of good nutrition. Her commitment to nurturing young minds extended beyond academics, as she sought to empower children to be self-sufficient and confident in the kitchen.

With degrees in social work and computer science, Chef Nini’s dedication to helping others is at the heart of her work. Her experience teaching cooking in group homes allowed her to connect with individuals from diverse backgrounds, and her volunteer teaching fueled her passion for educating families about nutrition. These experiences, combined with her lifelong love of food, shaped her dream of opening a children’s cooking school—and Nini’s Cooking Academy was born.

Through Nini’s Cooking Academy, Chef Nini creates opportunities for kids to explore global cuisines, develop confidence in the kitchen, and have fun cooking and baking. Her happiest moments are seeing the pride and excitement on her students’ faces as they master new skills.