Profile: Allison Vines-Rushing for White House Chef

By JULIETTE ROSSANT Born in West Monroe, Louisiana, and raised there and in Florida, Allison Vines-Rushing is co-chef of Jack’s Luxury Oyster Bar. Last year, 2004, the James Beard Foundation named her "Rising Star Chef." What were Allison's earliest food memories? "My father bringing home sacks of crawfish and sticks of sugarcane for us kids. Also, salted watermelon in the summertime -- and we always had homemade ice cream at family get-togethers." Who is her cooking mentor? "My husband is my cooking mentor, he never ceases to amaze me!" (Allison’s husband, Slade Rushing, is her co-chef at Jack’s Luxury Oyster Bar. Does she like cooking for large crowds? "I prefer cooking in restaurants that are smaller in scale. I love the intimacy and taking more time on each person. I currently cook in one restaurant, Jack's Luxury Oyster Bar, but am opening one in New Orleans in the near future." What are Allison’s favorite foods? "Really my favorite dish is two eggs over easy with bacon and whole wheat toast." What would Allison’s mission be as White House Chef? "To have updated American classic dishes, have fun with them. The White House Chef job is important because it is an opportunity to promote and influence American cuisine." Why is it important for a woman to be White House chef? "I love seeing firsts for women, the first White House chef included." What are Allison’s favorite snacks? "My favorite snack is hummus and olives" What would she pack for an airplane picnic? "On an airplane I may bring pickles, smoked fish and Triscuits." What are her favorite cookbooks? "My favorite cookbooks are Antoine's Restaurant Cookbook, Since 1840 and Alain Ducasse's Le Grande Livre De Cuisine." What would she be if not a chef? "If I could choose careers again I would be an Interior Decorator or Florist." Previous Profiles for White House Woman Chef: Profile: Lucia Watson for White House Chef Profile: Barbara Lynch for White House Chef Profile: Suzanne Goin for White House Chef Profile: Louise Lamensdorf for White House Chef Profile: Anita Jaisinghani for White House Chef Profile: Julie Francis for White House Chef Profile: Mary Sue Milliken & Susan Feniger for White House Chef Profile: Traci Des Jardins for White House Chef Profile: Anita Lo for White House Chef Profile: Sara Moulton for White House Chef Profile: Nora Pouillon for White House Chef Profile: Scooter Kanfer for White House Chef Profile: Cat Cora for White House Chef Profile: Diane Forley for White House Chef Previous articles: Shortlisting White House Chefs? Times-Picayune: Spicer for President(ial chef) NAMC Newswire: A Woman in the White House Before 2008? Ventura, CA, Gets Into White House Chef Search Dallas-Ft. Worth Notes Chef Louise's White House Nomination Roland Mesnier's Dessert University Congratulations: James Beard Awards Nominees Ojai Valley News: Diane Forley for White House Chef Denver Supports Jennifer Jasinski for White House Chef James Beard Awards: Dearth of Top Women Chefs? Today Show Emulates Iron Chef America Wireless Flash: White House Woman Chef Fortune Smiles on superchefblog's White House Chef Poll Cat Cora Wins on Iron Chef America Anita Lo Defeats Mario Batali on Iron Chef America Atlantic Monthly: White House Chefs Cat Cora, Anita Lo: Sexing Up Iron Chef America Joe Guzzardi: If Not Governor, White House Chef Reminder 1: Vote for White House Woman Chef Vote For White House Woman Chef Superchefblog: Catalyst for White House Woman Chef? --> back to superchefblog