Chef Nikko Cagalanan cooks with memory, heart, and deep cultural pride — a love letter to the Philippines and to the women who raised him. Born and raised in the Philippines, Nikko draws inspiration from his grandmother, Lola Mansueta, whose cooking, generosity, and warmth shaped his earliest memories of food and family.

Nikko began cooking in 2017 while still working as a nurse, discovering that the kitchen offered the same purpose — to nurture, care, and bring comfort to others. In 2019, he moved to Charleston to fully pursue his passion for cooking and storytelling through food.

In 2023, Nikko and his wife and partner, Paula Kramer, opened Kultura, a restaurant created to honor both Lola Mansueta and Paula’s grandmother, who instilled in her a deep love for hospitality and making people feel at home. Kultura quickly became a beloved gathering place, earning multiple Best New Restaurant awards and recognition for its commitment to heritage, community, and creative Filipino cooking. In October 2025, they expanded Kultura into a larger home in the same neighborhood to welcome even more guests to their table.

Nikko’s journey has been marked by national recognition, including being named a James Beard Award Finalist for Emerging Chef (2024), winning Food Network’s Chopped, all while helping introduce Filipino cuisine to wider audiences in the American South. From intimate kamayan feasts to thoughtfully modern interpretations of classic dishes, his cooking creates connection, nostalgia, and a sense of belonging.

Nikko and Paula believe food is community — a way to share stories, bridge cultures, and make every guest feel like family. His work celebrates the richness and diversity of the Filipino table and proves that food tastes better when it’s rooted in love, history, and home.