Honoring Nicholas and Company

When Chefs for Kids gathers later this month to celebrate leaders who are making a meaningful difference in Southern Nevada, our 2026 honoree stands out not only for its business success, but for its enduring commitment to community: Nicholas and Company.

The story of Nicholas and Company begins in 1939, when 17-year-old Nicholas Mouskondis arrived in America from Crete, Greece. He didn’t speak English. He had little more than grit, determination, and a belief in opportunity. After working in Utah’s copper mines, he found his way into food distribution by salvaging dented cans from railcars, relabeling them, and selling them at a discount to local bakeries. It was humble work, but it laid the foundation for something extraordinary.

Today, Nicholas and Company is a third-generation, family-owned broadline foodservice distributor serving the Intermountain West, with the fourth generation preparing to carry the legacy forward. While the company has grown dramatically over the decades, its values have remained remarkably consistent.

At the heart of the Mouskondis family’s philosophy is a Greek principle called philotimo. There is no perfect English translation, but it embodies honor, integrity, generosity, and a deep sense of responsibility to others. Within Nicholas and Company, it’s often described as the company’s “secret ingredient.”

That ingredient shows up in how they do business by prioritizing long-term relationships over short-term gains. It shows up in who they serve by proudly supporting independent restaurants and family-owned establishments throughout the region. And it shows up in how they give back.

Their partnership with Chefs for Kids reflects a shared belief: that access to nutritious food and early education about healthy eating can change the trajectory of a child’s life. In Southern Nevada, where food insecurity and food deserts impact too many families, that belief carries real urgency.

For Nicholas and Company, supporting Chefs for Kids is not simply corporate philanthropy. It is an extension of who they are. The company understands that strong communities sustain strong local businesses. By investing in children today, teaching them about nutrition, supporting access to healthy meals, and empowering families, they are helping build a healthier, more resilient future for Southern Nevada.

As the Mouskondis family often shares, being in a position to give back is both a blessing and a responsibility. Gratitude is not passive. It requires action.

As Chefs for Kids honors Nicholas and Company at this year’s gala, we celebrate more than a successful foodservice distributor. We celebrate a legacy rooted in perseverance, strengthened by family, and guided by philotimo – a commitment to doing what is right, uplifting others, and ensuring that opportunity continues for generations to come.

Join us in celebrating Nicholas and Company at The Raiders of the Lost Spork gala on Saturday, March 28 at Luxor.