Profile: Lucia Watson for White House Chef

By JULIETTE ROSSANT Lucia Watson, Chef/Owner of Lucia’s, was born and raised in Minneapolis. What is her earliest memory of food? " Wild blueberries at our summer cabin in Canada." Who are Lucia’s cooking mentors? Inspiration and early influences were Richard Olneyand Julia Child. Now it is cooks I work with and farmers and producers I work with. Does she enjoy catering? Yes, she enjoys cooking for large crowds. Where can we catch Lucia these days in the Media? She writes for In Fisherman Magazine. She was recently reviewed in The Minneapolis Star & Tribune. And of course she was just nominated for a 2005 James Beard Award (best chef Midwest). What are her favorite dishes? "Simple food. Roasts, mashed potatoes, ice cream and good wine." If she got a call from the White House asking her to be the new Executive Chef, what would be the first thing she’d say? "Wow! I am honored!" What would Lucia's mission be as White House Executive Chef? "To showcase the best of America. I would immediately put in a huge ethnic- American garden at the White House and seek out the best of American products: meats. cheeses, chickens and indigenous foods, too. I would cook these products in an accessible and delicious way for the White House." Why does she think this job is important? "Maybe if President Bush and everyone who eats with him were well nourished they would be happier and friendlier to each other." Why is it important that a woman be chosen as White House Executive Chef? "Women tamed fire. They have always done the nurturing /cooking." What would Lucia like to serve the President and First Lady on a "quiet evening"? "It depends on the season, but something like Organic roast chicken with a simple wine sauce, au gratin potatoes, a simple fresh green salad and a fruit tart for dessert." What would Lucia like to serve for a State Dinner? "Depends on who is coming and where they are from. Again, I would showcase American ingredients in an accessible way. This would give them something to talk about, too." What is Lucia’s favorite snack? "Popcorn." What would she pack for an airplane picnic? "Thick roast beef sandwiches on a potato bun, gaufrette potato chips, cole slaw and chocolate chip cookies." What's her favorite cookbook? Jeremiah Tower’s New American Classics. If she could choose careers again, what else might you choose? "I was born to cook. I had no choice!" Previous Profiles for White House Woman 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