Introduction
Nikki Martin (also known as Nikki Heaps or Nikki Heaps-Martin) is an American chef, food and beverage consultant, and actress currently based in Brooklyn, New York. She is perhaps best known as a contestant on the eighth season of the Food Network series Food Network Star.
Early life
Martin was born in West Hollywood, California. She has had no formal culinary training; she was inspired to learn to cook from her mother, Brenda, a food distributor in Orange County. Martin graduated from Aliso Niguel High School in 1998.
Early media roles and Food Network
Martin has appeared on numerous television shows, including Titus, Scrubs and Birds of Prey; as well as films like Sorority Boys and Looney Tunes: Back in Action. She appeared on the Food Network series 24 Hour Restaurant Battle in July 2011, competing with her best friend, Dana Chaney.
Food Network Star
In May 2012, Martin was chosen as a contestant on another Food Network series, Food Network Star; she was mentored by Bobby Flay. She originally used the tagline “girl-on-grill”, but because Food Network president Bob Tuschman found the double entendre to be too risqué, she subsequently started calling herself “the grill next door”. Martin was eliminated from the show on July 15.
Filmography
Film
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 | Sorority Boys | Tri Pi | |
| 2003 | Cradle 2 the Grave | Ring Girl | |
| Looney Tunes: Back in Action | Wooden Nickel Waitress | ||
| 2006 | Diamondz n da Ruff | Mercedez | |
| 2012 | DisOrientation | Jenny |
Television
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | Scrubs | Nurse | 1 episode |
| Titus | Cheerleader | 1 episode | |
| 2003 | Birds of Prey | Marryann Travis | 1 episode |
| 2011 | 24 Hour Restaurant Battle | Self | |
| 2012 | Food Network Star | Self | 10 episodes |
| 2013 | Food Saver Infomercial | Self | 1 episode |
| 2016 | MasterChef Junior | Self | 1 episode |