After serving royalty and presidents, this chef found a home with Rutgers football

PISCATAWAY – Not too long ago, George Nikola was designing menus and cooking meals for royalty, United States presidents and dignitaries.

But for the last two years, he’s been keeping Rutgers football players well-fed as the program’s head chef inside the Hale Center.

Nikola wouldn’t have it any other way.

“I came to the right place,” Nikola said. “These guys have a lot of love. I feel like I’m family.”

It’s been quite a culinary journey for Nikola, who prides himself on maintaining close relationships with players, coaches and staff members to hear their opinions on the menus he’s creating and what they might like in the future.

While the Scarlet Knights have been on upward trajectory under coach Greg Schiano on the field, Nikola has played a major role behind the scenes.

How did George Nikola, the head chef for the Rutgers football team, find his way to Piscataway?

The Scarlet Knights eat well.

Nikola, whose day begins at 4 a.m. to be at the Hale Center early to begin cooking up breakfast, builds and designs meals that can range from seafood to steak to taco and pasta bars.

“He cares," said Aaron Lewis, the Scarlet Knights' 6-foot-5, 266-pound defensive end. "He wants to know what you like. He wants you to try other things.”

Nikola has had a unique road to Piscataway.

Born in Rome, he later moved to Egypt where he attended culinary school. He later was hired by the Four Seasons hotel chain, where he spent 12 years at locations in both Egypt and Qatar (as well as brief stops in several other locations to help out when needed), serving high-profile customers from politicians to world-class athletes.

Nikola later emigrated to the United States, where he worked for a stint in Manhattan and later at the Hilton Short Hills for three years before joining the kitchen staff at the Busch Dining Hall at Rutgers.

He eventually was asked to move to the Hale Center to work with the football team.

It’s a role Nikola relishes.

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“When I’m on vacation, I’m thinking about the team,” Nikola said. “Last week I was in Aruba. I kept every day messaging the guys, ‘How’s everything? How’s the food?’ Even when I’m sleeping, I’m thinking about them.”

Nikola said he starts to know players when they visit campus as recruits, interacting with their families and explaining the types of meals they’ll be eating on a regular basis after they join the program.

He doesn’t take that role lightly.

“I feel like they’re my sons,” Nikola said. “When I have the recruits and I meet with the parents, they’re giving me more responsibilities. Coach Schiano introduces me to all the parents. It’s giving me a big responsibility. This is my son now. I have to take care of them.”

Nikola said it’s a collaborative effort behind the scenes.

Rutgers football coach Greg Schiano regularly checks in with the team's head chef. 'Even when he's on vacation, he's texting me.'

It all starts, he said, with Schiano, who regularly checks in with Nikola and his staff.

“Coach Schiano has a big heart,” Nikola said. “As I say, he’s the father of the family. Even when he’s on vacation, he’s texting me.”

Nikola also works extensively with Will Gilkison, the associate athletic director of football, as well as head dietician Hannah O’Brien and director of recovery science Daniel Tocci to create meals that fulfill the players’ nutritional and dietary requirements.

“We all are grateful for him,” Lewis said. “We all thank him every day. I don’t what we would do without Chef George.”

Nikola’s dedication to the team runs so deep that during a recent trip to China, he and his wife took photos wearing traditional Chinese dress – but Nikola refused to remove the black rubber “Chop” bracelet that he wears on his left wrist.

“She kept telling my you have to move this,” Nikola said. “I told her no.”

As far as other opportunities?

Nikola has received offers at a higher salary – but each time has refused.

After serving presidents and royalty, Nikola has found the right fit with the Scarlet Knights.

“It’s all about love,” Nikola said. “It’s all about family. I love these guys.”

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Rutgers football team chef George Nikola served royalty, presidents