Ris Lacoste
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| Ris Lacoste | |
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| Born | New Bedford, Massachusetts |
| Education | University of Rochester in New York
University of California at Berkeley Anne Willan's La Varenne Écôle de Cuisine |
Doris (Ris) Lacoste is one of the top chefs in Washington D.C.
Lacoste has been a fixture in the District's culinary world for nearly two decades. Following her studies at Anne Willan's famous La Varenne Ecole de Cuisine in Paris, Lacoste traveled back to her native New England. There she joined Chef Bob Kinkead at the Harvest Restaurant in Cambridge, MA - Harvard Square. After that, Lacoste assisted Kinkead with opening 21 Federal in Nantucket and later in D.C. In 1992, they were named Restaurantuers of the Year by Washingtonian magazine. In 1993, Lacoste opened the renowned Kinkead's - An American Brasserie- which has become a D.C. dining institution.
In 1995, Lacoste went forward to become Executive Chef for Georgetown's landmark restaurant 1789. During her time as Executive Chef, she earned the title of "Chef of the Year" and 1789 received the honor of "Restaurant of the Year" by The Capital Restaurant & Hospitality Awards. 1789 was continuously recognized as one of the nation's finest restaurants while under the creative control of Lacoste. Her innovative, regional American cuisine earned her awards from The Washington Post and Wine Spectator magazine, as well as recognition by the James Beard Foundation. Her work brought an unprecedented level of acclaim to this restaurant.
Lacoste left 1789 in the beginning of 2007 and has been working to open her own restaurant. She has publicly stated her desire to fashion the food and the atmosphere of her new restaurant around her personality, which she describes as warm and unpretentious. She has stated her intention to make the restaurant rustic, affordable, and full of heart.
Lacoste is also very active in the community, participating in annual fundraising efforts for the Ovarian Cancer Alliance, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, and D.C. Central Kitchen, to name a few. She sits on the board of the Restaurant Association of Metropolitan Washington and is a trustee for the non-profit organization Hospitality High School of Washington D.C. Lacoste is also a regular contributor to Fine Cooking magazine and Food Service Monthly.
