Publix Chef Stage 2026
Showcasing culinary talent all day at Taste of Marietta!
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Kids Cooking Contest
The Kids Cooking Contest is a fun and interactive event for our youngest aspiring chefs. Young chefs (ages 9-13) will be challenged to create a fun and delicious dish using surprise ingredients, putting their creativity to the test. The contest begins at 12:00 PM at the Chef Stage. Participants can sign up in advance via email to gina@visitmariettaga.com or register on-site at the stage before noon. Come cheer them on and watch the competition unfold, it’s the perfect way to spark a love of cooking and get kids involved in the culinary excitement of the day.
Chef Raul Thomas (Host)
Owner, Marietta’s Theatre in the Square
Chef Raúl Thomas discovered his culinary identity at a young age, watching his mother cook the typical Puerto Rican dishes he is so passionate about. He is a graduate of the New York School of Food and Hotel Management and over the past 30 years has enjoyed working as a Chef at the Marriott Marquis in New York City, cooking for many celebrities, world leaders, performers and luminaries. His roots in Atlanta stemmed from an invitation to join Georgia State University as an Executive Chef and that was followed by the opening of his own restaurants.
Chef Nikki Hicks
Chef Owner of Nikki's Kitchen and Black Label Dinner Club
Chef Nicole "Nikki" Hicks is the Chef Owner of Nikki's Kitchen, Black Label Dinner Club and soon to be Owner of Nikki's Street Eatery set to open this Summer. She is a proud Le Cordon Bleu graduate, an accredited Culinarian through the American Culinary Federation and a 2021 Food Network Chopped Champion. It was her love of food as a child that to led to her pursuing a career in Culinary. As a Chef with Trinidadian roots, she loves to fuse traditional Caribbean dishes with Soulful and Asian cuisine for flavorful creations. She started her Catering and Private Chef Company in in 2017, after a friend asked her to cater a boutique pop-up. Later, in 2021, Nikki founded a Dinner Club in Atlanta, Georgia called Black Label which pays homage to African American Culture through food. Some of her childhood favorite chefs include Emeril Lagasse & Jacques Pépin. Her gift and passion for food fuels her endless pursuit of feeding the world with love. Taste the experience for yourself.
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“Food is my love language, if I cook for you, it means I love you.” -Chef Nikki
BENNY VEGA, CEC – EXECUTIVE CHEF
Dining Services Director - North Cobb Christian School
Benny Vega is a highly accomplished Certified Executive Chef with over 20 years of leadership in culinary operations, food service management, and business development. He currently serves as Dining Services Director at North Cobb Christian School in Kennesaw, Georgia (since June 2024), where he oversees daily dining operations, ensures nutritional excellence, and leads team development in a high-volume school environment. In addition, he is the Co-Owner of FoodE LLC, a personal chef and meal prep company he operates with his wife, Richelle, delivering customized culinary solutions to private clients.
Throughout his career, Benny has directed multimillion-dollar food service operations, managed large teams, and developed innovative menus across diverse cuisines including Latin, BBQ, Italian, Mediterranean, and contemporary American. His background includes senior leadership roles with Legends Hospitality and Flik Independent Schools, as well as culinary education and brand development experience. Known for his strength in turnaround management, cost control, and process optimization, he consistently drives operational efficiency, revenue growth, and elevated guest experiences. Bilingual in English and Spanish, Benny combines culinary artistry with strategic vision to lead high-performing teams and successful food service programs.