Profile: Anita Jaisinghani for White House Chef

By JULIETTE ROSSANT Anita Jaisinghani was born in Kutch, India and raised in Gujarat State. She is the chef/owner of Indika in Houston, Texas. [EDITOR'S NOTE: Ms. Jaisinghani trained in the kitchens of Houston-based chef Robert Del Grande.] What is Anita’s earliest "Taste Memory"? "Indian street food – chaat." Who were her cooking mentors? "My mother and Julia Child." Does she enjoy catering? Yes, she enjoys cooking for large numbers of people and does a fair amount of catering. What are her favorite dishes? "Spinach/Paneer and Corn Roti. Corn Chaat Salad, Patra Fish." What would her mission be as White House Executive Chef? "Diversity in cuisine." Why does Anita think it is important that a woman be chosen as White House Executive Chef? "Because there had never been one!" What would Anita like to serve the President and First Lady on a "quiet evening"? "Seafood Biryani, apple Raita and tapioca saffron pudding." What does Anita like to do outside the kitchen? She spends her time doing yoga, reading, and gardening. She likes to travel to India and Europe. What would she pack for an airplane picnic? "Naan sandwich with sliced Tandoori chicken, mango chutney and goat cheese." Her favorite cookbook? Julia Child’s Baking by Julia. Alternative career, if not a chef? Interior designer. --- If you have not done so yet, be sure to "Vote For White House Woman Chef"! --- Other online bios: Houston Press Previous Profiles for White House Woman 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