Profile: Louise Lamensdorf for White House Chef

By JULIETTE ROSSANT Louise Lamensdorf, chef-owner of Bistro Louise, was born and raised in Monroe, LA, and lived extensively in New Orleans. What is Louise's earliest food memory? Her French grandmother’s home cooking and gatherings for afternoon coffee and sweets with her European friends. Who are Louise’s mentors? Charles Finance (a Hall of Fame Master Chef) and Andre Daguin at the Hotel De France in Auch, France. Does she enjoy catering? Catering (buffet and seated) has been a career constant, including large weddings and recently the opening of Radio Shack Executive Offices for 450 guests. What is her next project? She plans to open a boutique bakery in 2005. What are Louise’s favorite dishes? Seafood Paella, wild salmon with herbed risotto, fresh green salads with various cheeses finished with chocolate and fruit desserts. Were the White House to call, what would be the first thing that would she say? Thank you for the highest honor bestowed upon a chef. What would be her mission in the White House? She would continue to cook as she does at Bistro Louise: produce creative, healthy, enjoyable cuisine with full-bodied flavors and artistic executions. Why is this an important job? To be chef at the White House should set the standards for American Cuisine and the face of American dining to the world. Why is it important to choose a woman? To encourage young, struggling female chefs to strive for a lofty goal in a profession that has always been dominated by males. What would Louise serve the President and First Lady for a quiet evening meal? A salad of mixed greens, avocados, cucumbers, Texas Ruby grapefruit, Rio Grande melon tossed lightly with classic French vinaigrette. Main course would include double-cut smoked pork chop with vegetable risotto in candied mushroom sauce/ Texas Parker County Peach pie for dessert. What would she serve for a State Dinner? Hors d’oeuvres: smoked trout on sweet potato chips with American black caviar, Artichoke galettes and Curried jumbo lump Gulf crabmeat on a grilled apple. First Course: Duo of bisques with white asparagus and Maine Lobster soups topped with lobster and corn salsa. Main Course: Colorado lamb with sautéed polenta, caramelized cippolini onions and Cassis and cranberry sauce. A petite green salad with a Vermont white cheddar tossed in a Florida orange vinaigrette. Dessert: (a Bistro Louise signature of) Napoleon of almond florentine cookies stacked with a coffee pastry cream and rum scented strawberries surrounded with a fresh strawberry sauce. What is her favorite snack? Black olive toast with peppered goat cheese. What would she pack for an airplane picnic? Muffalatta sandwiches, chilled soup, fresh fruit, variety of cookies and a chilled glass of white wine. What is her favorite cookbook? Thomas Keller’s The French Laundry Cookbook. Were she not a chef, what career would Louise choose? As a Tulane University graduate in Account, she would be a Wall Street executive. --- If you have not done so yet, be sure to "Vote For White House Woman Chef"! --- Other online bios: LaCombe en Perigord D Magazine Dallas Business Journal Ft. Worth Weekly: Best Chef 2000 Previous Profiles for White House Woman 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: 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