Profile: Cat Cora for White House Chef

By JULIETTE ROSSANT Jackson, Mississippi, native Cat Cora is the newest team member on the Food Network's Iron Chef America and co-host of Kitchen Accomplished. Cat has strong early food memories, "churning homemade peach ice cream in our old wooden ice cream maker." Cat was inspired by Julia Child, Barbara Tropp, and M. F. K. Fisher. Her cuisine is a blend of her Greek and Southern roots like her favorite dish Kota Kapama (Greek cinnamon chicken), and slow-cooked lamb shanks with feta salsa verde. What would she serve for a state dinner? "Meze would be Smoked Salmon wrapped grape leaves. Then Rack of lamb with fruited mustard, Chopped Greek salad with feta creme fraiche, and 'Milk Pie'." For an airplane picnic she would bring "Herb roasted chicken, Savory currant, pistachio and feta brown rice, Grilled vegetables, Fresh fruit, Cheese and almonds and chocolate truffle for a little sweet." Cat has cooked for large numbers of people and finds catering challenging and rewarding. What would her mission be as White House Executive Chef? "To elevate the exposure of the position, make it sexier. From the insider's I have heard that it is a at this point treated as a glorified cooks position with little recognition. That would definitely change." Why is it important that a woman be chosen as White House Executive Chef? "It is time for women to rise up in the ranks of every profession in America. Women should be recognized for what they have always possessed, the ability to do the job a man can do. It is our human and professional right." Why is this job itself important? "Jacques Pepin once told me that a good cook is a good nurturer. Chefs are nurturers. As White House chef you are responsible for feeding and nurturing the leader of our country and other world leaders. That is an important job." Cat’s hobbies range from fire to ice, from "learning fire-eating and other circus-like feats" to snow-ski/boarding. When she gets time out of the kitchen, Cat loves to spend time with her family and cook and drink great wines with friends. Alternative career? "A rock star or novelist." Other online bios: Food Network The Daily Mississippian (AP) Millsaps College Previous articles: Fortune Smiles on superchefblog's White House Chef Poll Profile: Diane Forley for White House Chef 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