From Her Father's Kitchen to Her Own: How Sasha Nicholas is Blending Heritage and Ambition at NOCHI

For Sasha Nicholas, food has always been more than just nourishment. It’s been a bridge between generations, cultures, and dreams. A young mother with roots in both Black and Dominican heritage, Sasha draws deep inspiration from her father’s cooking and the rich traditions that shaped her upbringing. Now, with the support of Jefferson Parish funding and a determination to build a better future, she’s turning that lifelong passion into a professional path through the New Orleans Culinary & Hospitality Institute (NOCHI).

“My mom actually found the program,” Sasha shares with a smile. “I was looking for something that could help me grow my skills and not take years to complete. NOCHI was the perfect fit.”

The six-month certificate program has been an intense but rewarding journey. Balancing motherhood, classes, and the sheer time commitment wasn’t easy. “Getting to class on time every day was a real challenge,” she admits. “And coming up with recipes on the fly -just from the dome - that pushed me.”

But it’s in those challenges that Sasha found growth. Her favorite part of the program? The student pop-up restaurant experience. “It was everything,” she says. “I got to learn both back of house and front of house. It expanded my skill set and gave me confidence.”

What’s next for Sasha? She dreams of opening a small restaurant of her own and working as a private chef. Thanks to NOCHI, she’s already building the foundation to make that vision a reality. “I’ve learned the standards I want to set in my own kitchen,” she says. “And I’ve been exposed to so many different cuisines. I want to bring that variety to my future guests.”

Sasha’s journey is a testament to the power of intergenerational inspiration, cultural heritage, and the determination to create something lasting. With NOCHI as her launchpad she’s not just cooking meals, she’s crafting a legacy.