Nick Wallace is a professional chef based in Jackson, Mississippi. https://www.nickwallaceculinary.com/
Chef Nick is founder and executive chef of Nick Wallace Culinary, Nick Wallace Catering, and Nissan Cafe by Nick Wallace.
In addition to his successes as an executive chef, Nick has competed on eight national food shows throughout his entertainment career. Including but not limited to Top Chef, Chopped, and Cutthroat Kitchen.
Episode Time Stamps
Edwards, Mississippi and upbringing (1:30)
Chef Nick's pool capabilities (3:45)
Chef Nick's basketball history (5:15)
Did JPS prepare Nick for life? (7:30)
How Nick got started in the food service industry (9:00)
When did Nick begin taking a food career seriously? (10:30)
Is it difficult to become a chef in Mississippi? (13:30)
James Beard award pursuit (15:00)
Robert St. John (17:15)
Nick's Alaskan experience (20:00)
How did Nick lead people older than him? (22:00)
Leadership becomes second nature (25:00)
Nick's experience as an ambassador and activist (30:00)
Fake vs Real (31:00)
The Hard Way (31:30)
Nick's family history and influence (33:30)
Importance of having meaningful work (38:30)
How Nick found himself on Food Network (42:45)
Cutthroat Kitchen (45:25)
"That boy can only cook catfish and comeback sauce!" (47:00)
Importance of losing and using that as motivation (49:00)
Impacts of appearing on 8 national cooking shows (51:00)
"I am a superman!" (52:40)
How does a restaurant achieve a Michelin Star? (53:30)
Nick's belief Mississippi has the best hospitality in the world (55:30)
Mississippi vs everywhere else (58:00)
How did Nick incorporate French technique into overall approach? (59:30)
What type of cooking techniques are Mississippians known for? (1:00:30)
Slow food movement (1:01:45)
Chef Nick's relationship with New Orleans (1:04:30)
Mississippi food should be celebrated like New Orleans' (1:05:15)
Mississippi Gumbo (1:06:30)
How can we elevate our status as a "food state?" (1:07:45)
Competition is important (1:09:00)
Nick's birthday trip to New Orleans (1:11:45)
Did the pandemic cause a hospitality setback? (1:13:30)
Who's to blame for bad service in a restaurant? (1:15:30)
"It's all about the people!" (1:19:30)
What music is on Chef Nick's cooking playlist? (1:20:00)
Blues vs Southern Soul (1:22:45)
King George is great! (1:24:00)
Chef Nick's outlook and opinion on current state of Jackson, MS (1:26:00)
Why does Jackson continue to elect subpar leadership? (1:35:00)
Visit The County Line
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