Cheering Through Life: A Deep Dive into Culinary Arts and Personal Journeys

Episode Title: wake + bake | dope kitchen
Release Date: April 14, 2025
Host: Avery Woods
Guest: Nicole from Dope Kitchen

Introduction

In this engaging episode of CHEERS! with Avery Woods, host Avery sits down with Nicole from Dope Kitchen to explore the intersections of culinary creativity, personal growth, and lifestyle choices. Over a casual yet insightful conversation, they delve into Nicole's journey as a content creator, her personal experiences with sexuality and sobriety, and share a delightful cooking session featuring Eggs Benedict with a unique twist.

Nicole’s Journey into Content Creation

Nicole opens up about her path to becoming a full-time content creator, highlighting the challenges and triumphs along the way.

Nicole [06:10]: "I started because I was bored at the beginning of the pandemic. I was depressed and crashing out like everyone else. So I decided to bake my grandma's homemade ricotta pie... I filmed myself and put it on my personal Instagram story."

She recounts how a spontaneous TikTok post led to a surge in followers, eventually propelling her to take her passion seriously once she reached 100k followers.

Nicole [07:02]: "My friends all encouraged me to post it to TikTok... I started making content consistently, and once I hit like 100k followers, I decided to take it seriously."

Personal Life and Coming Out Story

A significant portion of the conversation focuses on Nicole's personal journey, particularly her experiences with her sexuality and relationships.

Nicole [11:19]: "I started exploring in my mid to late twenties... I had a threesome with a hot Italian man and a 6 foot 3 Dutch woman. And that confirmed it for me. I am gay."

Nicole shares the emotional and psychological challenges she faced while coming to terms with her sexuality later in life, emphasizing the impact of her trip to Europe as a catalyst for self-discovery.

Nicole [14:36]: "I was in a new country, I was just gonna have fun and explore and just try new things. So I had a threesome... And that confirmed it for me."

Her relationship journey is equally compelling, detailing the rapid progression from meeting her girlfriend on a camping trip in Alaska to moving in together within months.

Nicole [16:01]: "We moved in together pretty quickly, like four and a half months after dating."

Sobriety from Alcohol and Embracing Cannabis

Nicole and Scott discuss their experiences with alcohol and cannabis, highlighting the benefits of choosing sobriety.

Nicole [20:38]: "I decided to quit alcohol one day and never looked back... Cannabis started to take a bigger role in my life too."

She elaborates on her reasons for cutting back on alcohol during the pandemic and how cannabis became a healthier alternative for social comfort and personal well-being.

Nicole [22:03]: "I took my weed pen to every bar I went to, and it was still my way of feeling a little less than normal, but fitting in in a way that didn’t make people uncomfortable around me."

Nicole also acknowledges her girlfriend's journey to sobriety, expressing pride in her partner's achievements.

Nicole [22:49]: "She was an alcoholic, so she had to quit just to save her own life... She’s been sober now for over four years."

Scott mirrors these sentiments, sharing his own transition from alcohol to cannabis and the positive effects it has had on his life.

Scott [23:42]: "I went to three months without alcohol... When I discovered weed, I was like, why am I doing this?"

Cooking Segment: Eggs Benedict with a Twist

The heart of the episode features a hands-on cooking session where Nicole guides Scott through making a gourmet version of Eggs Benedict, complete with homemade English muffins and a Hot Sauce Hollandaise.

Making Homemade English Muffins

Nicole showcases her culinary skills by preparing homemade English muffins, emphasizing the satisfaction of creating something from scratch.

Nicole [05:14]: "I made those. Aren’t they beautiful?"

Despite initial doubts, the muffins turn out beautifully, adding a personal touch to the breakfast dish.

Nicole [05:22]: "It was my first time making them. I thought I was doing it wrong until they came out."

Hot Sauce Hollandaise

Taking a creative spin on the traditional hollandaise sauce, Nicole introduces her Hot Sauce Hollandaise, enhancing the flavor profile of the dish.

Nicole [05:54]: "We’re going to make the hollandaise. It’s a creamy sauce, perfect over eggs Benedict."

Scott expresses his enthusiasm for the creamy sauce, appreciating the added kick it brings.

Scott [05:05]: "Oh, I love creamy sauce."

Poaching Perfect Eggs

The duo demonstrates the art of poaching eggs, with Nicole sharing tips to achieve the perfect texture.

Nicole [11:49]: "Crack one into there and that’s what we’re going to use to lower it into the boiling water."

Scott’s attempts add a humorous touch, highlighting the challenges of cooking while high.

Scott [12:09]: "I don't know why my egg cracked like that. That's so embarrassing."

Plating and Presentation

The cooking session culminates in beautifully plated Eggs Benedict, blending culinary expertise with personal flair.

Nicole [35:38]: "We’re going to put this back on to the English muffins. This is our Canadian bacon."

Scott marvels at the final presentation, eager to taste the culmination of their efforts.

Scott [35:03]: "Whoa. Stunning. Oh, my God."

Favorite Recipes and Cooking Tips

Beyond the Eggs Benedict, Nicole shares her favorite recipes and cooking experiences, offering listeners valuable insights into her culinary passion.

Nicole [31:58]: "My favorite thing to cook for myself is homemade pasta. I love homemade pasta with pomodoro sauce."

She discusses the intricacies of Italian cooking and her affection for creating dishes from scratch, inspiring listeners to explore their own culinary journeys.

Stoner Snacks and Healthy Eating

The conversation shifts to the topic of snacking while enjoying cannabis, with both sharing their preferred healthy options.

Nicole [24:19]: "A really simple one that doesn’t involve much cooking is just a yogurt bowl. The textures and the crunch and the fruitiness and the creaminess of the yogurt."

Scott adds his favorites, blending sweet and savory for the perfect munchies.

Scott [24:37]: "I love popcorn when I’m high... I do kettle corn and ranch seasoning. It’s the elite combo."

Their exchange highlights the balance between indulgence and health-conscious choices, catering to diverse taste preferences.

Balancing Athleticism and Lifestyle Changes

Nicole reflects on her transition from being a competitive athlete to embracing a more relaxed lifestyle, discussing the mental and physical adjustments involved.

Nicole [30:02]: "I competed in weightlifting for like two years, and then I switched over to powerlifting... It’s been a bit of a mental struggle going from being competitive and training really hard to just training to take care of myself."

She acknowledges the loss of discipline and community that came with stepping away from intense training, yet finds peace in her current routine.

Nicole [31:08]: "I sometimes feel like such a loser by not going to these big fun events anymore, but I’m ready to be comfortable in my own home."

Conclusion

This episode of CHEERS! with Avery Woods offers a multifaceted exploration of personal growth, culinary passion, and lifestyle choices. Through candid conversations and a shared cooking experience, Avery and Nicole provide listeners with inspiration to pursue their passions, embrace their true selves, and make mindful choices that enhance their well-being.

Notable Quotes

• Nicole [06:10]: "I got so stoned while doing [my grandma's ricotta pie], and I filmed myself and put it on my personal Instagram story."

• Nicole [11:19]: "I am gay. Whoa. Yeah."

• Nicole [20:38]: "I decided to quit alcohol one day and never looked back. Cannabis started to take a bigger role in my life too."

• Nicole [31:58]: "My favorite thing to cook for myself is homemade pasta."

• Scott [35:03]: "Whoa. Stunning. Oh, my God."

Connect with Nicole

For more of Nicole’s delicious recipes and travel guides, visit her blog at dopekitchen.com or follow her on Instagram @Dope_Kitchen.

Thank you for tuning into CHEERS! with Avery Woods. Until next time, cheers to living your best life!