Nicole Renard, who recently turned 30, has always had a love for food, particularly sweets. “My favorite food is definitely ice cream. It has been since day one. When I was a kid, my dad and I used to have a bowl of ice cream every night before bed, and that’s just something I’ve stuck to growing up,” she shares. “I love trying ice cream when I travel, finding different little ice cream shops and different brands of ice cream that I love.”
Currently, Renard is exploring new culinary territories. “Right now I am knee deep in my sourdough journey, and so I’m loving learning how to make different kinds of breads. I’ve recently tried making croissants, which if you’ve tried making croissants before, it’s really difficult.”
When she is not trying out ice cream flavors or whipping up her new found sourdough, she is using her kitchen as her personal flight to a new destination. From smoothie bowls, to salads and sweet treats, Nicole is constantly challenging herself in the kitchen.
Before becoming known for her culinary skills, Renard became a travel blogger who documented her adventures around the world.
“I started a blog called the Do Stuff Blog where I would write about the adventure or whatever it was. Anytime I did these goals and dreams I had put on this list and it turned into a movement that people started following and reading along and it inspired other people to get up and go do stuff,” she explains.
Her senior year of college, she rebranded to “Nicole the Nomad” to focus on travel content. “I was a travel blogger from the start and had a background in photography, so I paired those two things together and wrote travel guides and itineraries of the places around the world.” She has taken her millions of followers to destinations like Egypt, Paris and Disney World.
Now settled in Nashville with her husband and new baby, her passion for travel remains. “I love travel. I love the experiences I’ve had and everything I’ve learned. And I think Nashville’s home unless the Lord calls us somewhere else, but I still want to travel the world.”
Travel is not the only thing on her “list.” Nicole even recalls a time where she hoped to have tea with the late Queen Elizabeth in England. Although it never happened, Nicole received a sweet letter from Buckingham Palace that she cherishes forever.
Stories like this are why Nicole is continuing to seek other fun and unique ways to live life to the fullest.
One of Renard’s most unexpected adventures was competing on Gordon Ramsay’s Next Level Chef. The opportunity came through her management team, though she never expected to be selected.
“I didn’t think anything would come from it because I’m not really a chef. I mean, I have no formal training. I didn’t go to culinary school and most people know me for smoothie bowls and baked goods like my edible cookie dough,” she admits.
When she got the call that she was selected, she had little time to prepare. “I was out of the country for 10 days and then I found out that they wanted me in Dublin where they were filming the show the next day after I got home. I really didn’t have time to prepare. I think it’s the most terrified I’ve ever been for anything in my whole life.”
Despite her fears, Renard surprised herself by making it to the top seven. “I genuinely thought I was going to get cut on the first episode, but as I kept advancing through the competition and making it past episode after episode during the challenge, I’m doing things that my hands have never done.”
Contrary to his television persona, Renard found Gordon Ramsay to be supportive and encouraging. “He is wonderful. He is brilliant. He’s a genius. He really knows what he’s doing. And one thing I appreciated so much about him was how much he cared for the other chefs.”
She recalls a particularly meaningful moment during her elimination: “At the end, they didn’t show this part on TV, but when I got eliminated, he said, ‘Man, Nicole, after seeing you cook in that last round, I wish I would’ve picked you.’ So that meant a lot.”
Renard even won “best dish” multiple times during the competition, including for her lamb curry, Turkey thigh gyros, and most impressively, a lamb tongue pizza.
Now settled in Nashville, Renard balances content creation with motherhood. She welcomes connections with the local community: “I’m a friend. I feel like sometimes it can be intimidating, especially moving to a new city, feeling like you don’t know anybody. But one thing Nashville has given me is a really great community. And so if anyone ever does see me out in public, I love when people say hi. I love to chat. I love making new friends.” Her favorite Nashville eatery is currently Lockland Table.Â
For those looking to improve their cooking skills, Renard recommends diving in and learning through practice. “YouTube is your friend. When I was in Dublin doing Next Level Chef, I stayed up for hours watching YouTube tutorials and watching how different chefs did things.”
She also suggests reading cookbooks “like textbooks” and studying how recipes are constructed. “Once you learn the basics of seasoning and cooking proteins and sauces, you really can make anything because it’s just different combinations of different ingredients and flavor profiles that you’re combining to make said meal.”
As for her favorite fall drink recipe? “It’s half ginger beer and half apple juice, and it’s like a fun little mocktail that literally tastes like fall. You can jazz it up with some cinnamon or some cranberries in the cup,” she shares.
With her diverse experiences and infectious enthusiasm, Nicole Renard continues to inspire others to explore new cuisines, travel adventures, and life experiences—truly embodying her original “do stuff” philosophy.
As temperatures rise and the sun blazes high, there’s one thing guaranteed to deliver a chill and a thrill: the Pitaya Punch Smoothie Bowl. With its electric pink color, tropical flavor, and nutrient-packed punch, this refreshing treat is redefining what it means to eat with your eyes and your tastebuds.
Whether you’re starting your day, recovering from a sweaty workout, or just craving a healthy treat, this smoothie bowl is summer in a spoon—bright, bold, and bursting with benefits.
At the heart of the bowl is pitaya, also known as dragon fruit, a tropical superfruit celebrated for its high antioxidant content, immune-boosting vitamin C, and stunning magenta color. Its subtle sweetness and hydrating properties make it the perfect base for a smoothie bowl that feels indulgent without the sugar crash.
When paired with frozen banana, mango, and strawberries, this bowl becomes a dreamy, creamy fusion of fruity goodness. And thanks to a scoop of vanilla protein powder, it also packs the staying power to keep you full and fueled.
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