…Catskills. Nick walked up to the ceremony with his mom in a pair of checkered Vans. Just eight months later, he would head up the opening of The Four Horsemen in Brooklyn as the big kahuna in the kitchen.
Eleven years have passed, and he is still the head chef, still happily married, has a beautiful daughter, and gained a Michelin star in 2019. The accolades have just continued to come year after year, and to top it off, he released his first cookbook in collaboration with the cookbook whisperer Gabe Ulla. He is a man who still finds time to play a little tennis and wishes for more golf. Ladies and gents, Nick Curtoro!
Name: Nick Curtola
City: Brooklyn, NY
Occupation: Chef
What do you do for Recreation?
I like photography and making little videos. I also love tennis and try to play when I can.
If you were to do something other than what you do for a living today what would that be?
I would have loved to do something in the film world. Cinematography maybe. I’ve always loved movies and I really like to dig into how things were shot and lit. I also have a bit of gear acquisition syndrome, so I love learning about cameras and equipment both for cinema and photography.
What was the last gift you got for yourself?
I love watches and recently picked up a little vintage omega from the 1950’s while traveling in Italy.
What was the last gift somebody gave you?
My friend Dylan (and CDC of The Four Horsemen) went to South Korea recently and brought me back this beautiful wicker trivet. I though that was really nice.
What is your biggest vice and how do you deal with it?
I’d probably say being on a phone too much. I’m pretty conscious of my screen time these days and try not to doom scroll or aimlessly pull out my phone. It’s tough, though.
Photo: 2015 opening year of The Four Horsemen. Nick, His Mom
Connie, Wife Sara, Aunties Jackie & Judith & Jonathan
How do you navigate through difficult situations?
I think back on failures and past mistakes and I know that I’ve only grown stronger because of them. Any difficult situation usually leads to growth and strength. I often remind myself of that when faced with anxiety or stress or when I’m out of my comfort zone.
Name one of your favourite people in the world and why this person is one of them?
My wife, Sara. She’s an inspiration to me and just a really good human being with a big heart. She’s compassionate, patient and honest and just really fun to be around. 
If you had to call somebody right now that you haven’t talked to in ages who would that be?
Probably my old friend Ryley. We were high school buddies and kind of fell out of touch over the years. It’s now been about a decade since we’ve talked. I often think about great memories with him and would like to give him a call to catch up.
What was your proudest moment and why?
Earning a Michelin star at our restaurant. It was just an incredible honor and a day I’ll never forget. I was proud of all of the work I had put in to my craft and finally felt recognized, but I was even more proud of my team and all of the people that made it happen. It was such a special moment for me.
Which city is cooking you the best meal and where?
So tough. Barcelona is one of my favorite food cities. So for that, I’ll say Ultramarinos Marin. I love that place and it’s the exact kind of food that inspires me. Simple in its aesthetic, but there’s an obvious level of quality and an attention to sourcing that I think chefs can really see when they go there
Photo: 2024 Nick released his first cookbook made in collaboration with Gabe Ulla, James Murphy & Justin Chearno.