Profile: Traci Des Jardins for White House Chef

By JULIETTE ROSSANT Raised in Firebaugh, California, Traci Des Jardins is chef and co-owner of Jardiniere, chef/owner of Mijita, and consultant for ACME Chophouse. What are Traci’s most important early memories about food? "I can remember dozens, I think. Smells, flavors -- our lives’ rituals were all around food and cooking when I was growing up: my grandfather's shrimp Creole, my grandmother's freshly baked breads and cookies, my maternal grandmother's fresh tortillas and delicious beans." Does Traci enjoy catering and cooking for large numbers of people? "That is what we do." Her restaurant, Jardiniere, seats 200 and feeds 400 on a busy Saturday. What is her favorite snack? "Tacos." What are her favorite cookbooks? The Joy of Cooking and The Zuni Cafe Cookbook by fellow nominee Judy Rogers. What does Traci like to do on her time off? "Skiing and hanging out with my son" and for longer holidays she likes to travel to Mexico and France. What would she pack for a picnic on the airplane? "Charcuterie and cheese" What profession would she choose, if other than a chef? Veterinarian. Other online bios: PBS Chefs 'A Field Best of California TV Vail Daily Seafood Choices Alliance James Beard Foundation StarChefs Previous Profiles: 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: 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