Profile: Josie Le Balch for White House Chef

By JULIETTE ROSSANT Born in New York City and raised in France and Southern California, Josie Le Balch is chef/owner of Josie Restaurant, in Los Angeles. What is her earliest food memory? "Ripe apples at the town’s apple press in Brittany when I was three." Who are Josie's cooking mentors? "My father (Chef Gregoire Le Balch). Escoffier." Does she enjoy cooking for crowds and catering? Yes. What would Josie’s mission be as White House Executive Chef? "To bring back the grandeur and elegance of entertaining at the White House, while incorporating current healthy dining trends, unique ingredients, and local, seasonal products." Why does she think this job is important? "As White House Executive Chef, I would be representing the nation culinarily as a whole... and besides, since we're going to have a woman president in the near future, it would be important to lay the groundwork." What's her favorite snack? "It's a tie -- between popcorn and French fries." What would you recommend as an airplane picnic? "A fantastic assorted antipasto platter... and wine." What's her favorite cookbook? A Treasury of Great Recipes by Vincent Price and Mary Price -- "Vincent Price might have been scary on camera, but this is one of the best collections of recipes out there." What would she be if not a chef? "A singer." This is the final week, so be sure to Vote for White House Woman Chef Previous Profiles for White House Woman Chef: Profile: Melissa Perello for White House Chef Profile: Alice Waters for White House Chef Profile: Jody Adams for White House Chef Profile: Tamara Murphy for White House Chef Profile: Allison Vines-Rushing for White House 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: Media on Vote for White House Woman Chef Gabby Hayes: White House Chef? Chef John Bubala Votes Sarah Stegner Paula Deen & Friends Sante Magazine Recognizes Jody Adams 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