Nicole was born and raised in the Philippines. She grew up in Cagayan de Oro in Northern Mindanao. She moved to New York in 2001 to attend the French Culinary Institute in Soho. Her culinary career began with Danny Meyer and Union Square Hospitality Group cooking at both Eleven Madison Park and the Modern at MOMA.  She worked as a tournant in Atelier in the Ritz Carlton Central Park and later with Chef Dan Kluger at the Core Club.  After New York, Nicole moved to Los Angeles to work at the Thompson Beverly Hills. She also spent a few years back home developing a restaurant concept before eventually settling in New Orleans.  

She joined the opening team at Peche in 2013.  Nicole became the Chef de Cuisine at Peche in 2019. Last year, Food and Wine named Nicole in the 2024 class of Best New Chefs. In 2025, Nicole received a semi finalist nomination for James Beard: Best Chef South. In the same year, Peche made the recommended list for the Michelin guide American South.