As the vision for these new Pittsburgh urban restaurant concepts evolved from owner Nikki Heckman’s original dream in 2006, so did the culinary team who shared the same love of food and community spirit.

Today our 46 full and part time Bistro and Company staff work together like a ‘family.’  Here are a few of our leaders…

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Nikki Heckman—Owner

Nikki comes from a large Italian family, learning the Old World traditions of cooking from her grandmother, and fondly remembers their big, traditional meals eaten on long tables in the basement.

After college she focused on a food service career, gaining culinary skill and management experience from corporate and individually owned restaurants including TGI Fridays, The Brass Rail and Bewley’s in Ireland.  Nikki also opened and operated multiple Wendy’s in Pittsburgh, receiving honors as Manager of the Year for customer service and excellence in quality.

Before launching Bistro To Go, for 15 years Nikki provided food service for nearby Allegheny Center Alliance Church and other non-profits.

 

Chef Alfredo

Originally from the Bahamas, Alfredo Russell arrived in Cocoa Beach, Fla., in 1959 and played keyboards and bass in a band before he became a full-time chef.

In Florida, he cooked for NASA astronauts Neil Armstrong and John Glenn, moved to Pittsburgh in 1975, and cooked for such sports celebrities as Willie Stargell, Dave Parker and Louis Lipps.

Chef’s cuisine, reputation and kind heart are much loved by people from communities in and around the city of Pittsburgh.

 

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Madeline Jones—Matty 

A Deutschtown neighbor, Madeline worked at Bistro To Go from the first days. In 2008 she became a chef after graduating from Bill Strickland’s respected Bidwell Training Center in the neighboring Manchester community.

more Bistro & Company people to come soon…

 

 

 

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