It's In The Sauce - Chef Nikki Knox

By Terry L. Watson

Photos Provided by Still Shots Photography

There is no secret in her sauce; nothing but savoring deliciousness. Chef Angela (Nikki) Knox is known as “The Saucy Chick”. She is also the owner and founder of The Vine Catering.

She is a native of Cleveland, NC, a small town that neighbors Salisbury. At the age of seven, her family moved to Greensboro, NC. There, she attended Peeler Elementary School before graduating from Ben L. Smith High School. After attending Guilford Technical Community College and Guilford College, Nikki thought her career path would be accounting. However, while preparing for her own wedding, she found herself in need of a caterer. She also learned how expensive the cost of catering services was. Little did she know that her interest in food would open the doors to greater opportunities.

As a child, the structure of Nikki’s family consisted of her mother, father, and stepmother. Nikki’s grandmothers’ she says, had a significant influence on her. “As a small child, I would stand in the kitchen and watch my great-grandmother and watch her cook. I would join in when she allowed me to. I would snap the beans, shook the corn, and even clean the chitterlings.” That exposure helped shape Nikki’s mind, and her love for food and serving others was conceived.

Nikki’s interest in culinary grew from the ground level. She shares, “I got my degree in culinary from the school of hard knocks. I received the title of chef from Executive Chef Femi Frazier.” After marriage, Nikki started selling plates from her home. She also took some to her job, and a coworker recognized her gift and asked Nikki if she offered catering services. At that time, she had never catered anything, but her answer was still “yes”. Her coworker offered Nikki the job, and her journey as a caterer began.

That was in 1997, and Nikki only charged five dollars a person. The name of her first catering company was Genesis Catering. She would also open a restaurant in Asheboro, NC, called Angela’s Chicken & Ribs. After closing that business, The Vine Catering came to life in 2003.

In 2020, during the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, Nikki began to find new ways to sustain her business. She launched a YouTube show called Xtra Sugar Cooking In The Kitchen With Nikki. She also wrote a book that complimented the show. She shares the book was not only a cookbook but a story about her entrepreneurial journey. Today, besides her personal chef services, Nikki focuses on Xtra Sugar and Saucy Chick Gourmet Sauces.

Nikki has a heart to serve and is dedicated to giving back to her community. “I love life and God’s people. My desire is to see people come to the knowledge of the love of Christ, not being judged by who they are or what they do, but to know God loves us unconditionally and sent His son, Jesus, so that we may have eternal life,” she says. Nikki has partnered with Cone Health and other non-profit organizations to prepare and serve weekly meals to those in need. Nikki is a mentor to inspiring chefs and offers internships to culinary students.

“With my personal chef services, my goal is to create experiences,” she says. Some of the gourmet sauces Nikki produces are “She Makin Me Krazee, Sweet Thang, She Hot, She Bossy, and Triple Berry Bourbon”. Nikki says my favorite is Triple Berry Bourbon, which is marinade. My customer’s favorite is Sweet Thang.

Nikki says what she loves most about her company is the ability to go back and train and mentor others. She also appreciates the opportunity to provide her children with a sound and stable example to look up to. “My journey has come with many challenges and obstacles and hasn’t been easy. I have built my brand from scratch. I have lost some things, but I have learned to trust God. Amazingly, I still feel like I am just beginning, and everything I have accomplished has come by faith.”

The life of an entrepreneur can often be a trying and risky experience for some. If allowed to change how things have happened in her business, Nikki says she wished she had acquired more financial education initially. She also advises others who may follow in her footsteps to study their craft and learn from watching others doing something similar.

Moving forward, Nikki plans to continue producing material to air on her YouTube channel. She also hopes to see her line of gourmet sauces on grocery store shelves nationwide. She also plans to be a guest on the Sherri Shepherd Show. One thing is obvious: Nikki can get the job done if anyone is looking for professional catering services. And by the way, her sauces are also great for personal use and make great gifts.

To learn more about Nikki Knox, please visit her website.

www.xtrasugar.com