Nikko Cagalanan

Nikko Cagalanan wasn’t much of a chef while growing up in the Philippines. His grandmother, Mansueta, was the only cook in the kitchen. But after moving to the United States to continue his nursing career, Nikko was disappointed to see the lack of authentic Filipino cuisine and was missing the flavors of home. So, he began watching YouTube videos and reading cookbooks devoted to Filipino cuisine. Seven years and numerous kitchen jobs later, Cagalanan settled in South Carolina and entered Charleston’s culinary scene. It was this same year that he launched a pop-up series named Mansueta’s Filipino Food where he serves new takes on his grandma’s old recipes. Very quickly Mansueta’s grew a massive following in the Charleston scene and Nikko began traveling to cities all over the country to share the love that was his grandmother’s cooking. This past year, Nikko’s pop ups took him all the way to Chopped’s Bizzare Foods Competition, and now, he can be known as Chef Nikko Cagalanan, Chopped Champion. What is coming next for the Chopped Champion? A new restaurant at 73 Spring Street in Charleston, and maybe participation in a few more food competition shows!