OUR TEAM

Nico Romo | Chef/Owner

Born in Lyon, France, Chef Nico Romo is the youngest-ever US member of The French Culinary Academy (l’Académie Culinaire de France) and Master Chefs of France (Maîtres Cuisiniers de France), one of just 66 French Master Chefs in the country, and the only recipient in South Carolina. Both elite organizations represent and comprise the most highly skilled chefs in the techniques and traditions of the French culinary art.
Chef Romo graduated from the Helene Boucher Culinary Art School in Vénissieux at age 19 and perfected his skill under French Master Chef Patrick Henriroux at the dual-Michelin Starred restaurant La Pyramide in Vienne, France.

Chef Romo spent a decade directing Patrick Properties Hospitality Group’s culinary programs and helmed the kitchen at Fish Restaurant. During that time, he was named a Monterey Bay Aquarium Sustainable Seafood Ambassador and member of the Seafood Watch Blue Ribbon Task Force recognizing his commitment to ocean-friendly seafood and Lowcountry fishermen.

In 2017, Chef Romo opened his first concept, NICO, bringing his European training and appreciation for locally sourced ingredients, particularly seafood and oysters. In 2020, he opened Bistronomy by Nico in a quaint spot in downtown Charleston. Bistronomy by Nico is an approachable French Bistro that highlights innovative techniques and ingredients. His third concept, Laura, opened in Spring 2022 in Charleston’s neighboring, Summerville, serving rustic Italian food as an ode to his Italian Heritage. Most recently, Romo opened up the fourth property in the group, event venue, and French Bistro, Kersey House right across the street from Laura in Summerville!

Jay Flatley | Executive Chef

Executive Chef Jay Flatley was born and raised in New Orleans, LA where his love for food and cooking began at a very young age. His family always seemed to be entertaining with dinners and parties for family and friends. During this time he spent a lot of time in the kitchen with his mom and sister.

Like most chefs, Jay began his career washing dishes in a neighborhood restaurant, then eventually moved to cooking. In 1997, Jay moved to Dallas, Texas with his family and began cooking at Outback Steak House. After learning all aspects of the kitchen Jay left to work at Mondos of Dallas. He was there for a short time before attending The Culinary Institute of America in 2000 on a scholarship given to students that have been in the industry for a period of time. Jay graduated from CIA in 2003 with a Bachelors's Degree in Hospitality Management.

After graduation, Jay returned to Texas for a short time before starting as Sous Chef at Crescent City Brewhouse in New Orleans. After the devastation of Hurricane Katrina, Jay was displaced from his job for some time. After the dust settled, Jay returned to reopen the Brewhouse where he spent a short time before working at Cochon, where he spent the next two years as a line cook. In 2007, Jay moved to Santa Rosa Beach, FL, where he helped open Fire, a fresh seafood-driven concept on the beach in Florida. After two years at Fire, Jay moved to Nashville, TN to open a new restaurant just outside the city. The restaurant never came to fruition and Jay began working for Mstreet entertainment group, working his way up from line cook to Sous Chef to Executive Chef of the company's midtown concept, Tavern, where he spent the next seven years as Executive Chef.

Jay moved to Charleston in 2020 with his wife Nicole and son Cooper. After a small stint at Stars, Jay has found a home at NICO on Shem Creek. With respect and understanding, Jay hopes to be a part of NICO Oysters + Seafood's success for years to come.

Deena Versanszki | General Manager

Originally from Upstate New York, Deena Versanszki brings a wealth of talent, knowledge, and international experience to NICO as its General Manager. Versanszki began her impressive career in Florida at Azul, a five-star restaurant in the Mandarin Oriental Miami. From 2006 to 2009 she worked as the General Manager for several restaurants in the Westin Diplomat Hotel and Resort.

In 2012, Deena and her husband relocated to London, where she worked in the hospitality business for the next five years. During that time she worked at Jackson & Rye as Assistant General Manager and Pennethorne’s at Somerset House as General Manager, where she played an integral role in the successful rebranding of the iconic historical venue from café to wine and cocktail bar, winning a spot on World’s Best Bars 2016 within six months.

Deena and her husband moved to Charleston in April 2017 to be closer to family, where she enjoys anything and everything outdoors, especially near the ocean with her menagerie of furbabies.

Carey Love | Assistant General Manager

Introducing our Assistant General Manager, Carey Love! Born in Pequannock, New Jersey, in 1974, Carey brings a lifetime of hospitality experience and resilience to their role as AGM at NICO. A graduate of Boonton High School in Boonton, NJ, she has a varied background in industries ranging from Hospitality to Finance.

Her career in hospitality began at an early age, starting at just five years old, and has spanned nearly every position in the industry. From bussing tables and working the dish station by age eight, to serving by fourteen and bartending by sixteen, she spent over two decades behind the bar before transitioning into management. This well-rounded experience provides a deep understanding of both front- and back-of-house operations. Carey’s journey into hospitality was shaped by both necessity and determination. Growing up during challenging times, including periods of living in a car with their family in the parking lot of the diner where their mother worked, instilled a strong work ethic and lasting resilience. What began as a means of survival evolved into a genuine passion for the industry, centered around creating memorable experiences and bringing joy to guests.

As a leader, Carey is firm but flexible, leading with empathy, respect, and a hands-on approach. Having worked every role, she understands the day-to-day challenges the team faces and strives to lead by example. She is committed to fostering growth, coaching staff, and treating the business as if it were their own. What makes her especially suited for this role is a combination of experience and understanding. Carey’s ability to connect with team members and guide them through challenges with both grace and practical insight is central to her leadership style. The focus remains on supporting, developing, and elevating those around them.

When Carey isn’t at work, she enjoys spending time with her four feline kiddos, Bandit, Jynx, Princess Luna, and Charli (who joined her clan by jumping through her window during a snowstorm).