MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2020 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Representatives Zuber, Anthony, Arnold, Bailey, Bell (21st), Carpenter, Currie, Denton, Guice, Huddleston, Newman, Osborne, Read, Roberson, Taylor, Young
A RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING THE STELLAR CAREER AND CULINARY SUCCESS OF MISSISSIPPI CHEF EXTRAORDINAIRE NICK WALLACE.
WHEREAS, gifted, talented, and inspired by nature, are just a few adjectives used to describe Mississippi's resident chef and master culinary artiste, Chef Nick Wallace, whose modern Mississippi cuisine highlights his mission to remain focused on the beauty of food; and
WHEREAS, voted Jackson Free Press Best of Jackson 2020: Best Chef, featured on the list of "Best Chefs America" in 2013 and 2017, Nick has appeared in the pages of Southern Living and on "Comfort Nation" Season 2, was honored to be Mississippi's first Food Network's "Chopped" Champion, Alton's Challenge and featured on Food Network's Cut Throat Kitchen; and
WHEREAS, born and raised in Edwards, Mississippi, Wallace possesses the creativity, innovation, and drive to deliver exceptional cuisine of the highest quality, redefining the Southern food experience by blending his family-farm origins with sophisticated French techniques to create exceptional dining experiences, and crediting his grandmothers, Queen Morris and Lennel Donald, for nurturing his innate talent for culinary arts perfection; and
WHEREAS, with a desire to take on any challenge the culinary world has to offer, Wallace's drive to deliver exceptional cuisine of the highest quality reflects his culinary philosophy and passion, which trend towards a healthier lifestyle by working with local farmers to create unique farm-to-table dining experiences that are exceptionally pleasing to the palate; and
WHEREAS, having served as chef for some of the largest and most prominent museums and hotels in the State of Mississippi, including the Mississippi Museum of Art, Marriott, and the historic King Edward Hotel, Chef Wallace, through these positions, has been able to hone his leadership skills and push the limits for continuous and flourishing innovation; and
WHEREAS, currently Founder and Executive Chef of Nick Wallace
Culinary, Nick Wallace Catering and Creativity Kitchen, Chef Wallace has moved his culinary talent and innovative methods into Jackson Public Schools through his nonprofit organization, Creativity Kitchen, enabling him to work closely with the chefs in the Jackson Public Schools to provide better tasting and healthier food for scholars; and
WHEREAS, in November 2019, Creativity Kitchen partnered with Whole Foods 5% Community Giving Program and put the money back into the community by donating a certain percentage of it to one of the local elementary schools; and
WHEREAS, a five-time presenter for the James Beard Foundation, Nick's "Southern Hospitality" dinners hosted in New York demonstrate the expanse of his culinary knowledge of flavor and technique, which can be experienced in three restaurants in Natchez, Mississippi, and through Crooked Coffee retail branded coffee; and
WHEREAS, having participated in Flavored Nation's 2019 50 States – 50 Chefs in Chattanooga, Tennessee, Nick is a rare talent of exceptional caliber, whose gift can soon be witnessed on a Canadian food television show slated to air in 2020; and
WHEREAS, Chef Wallace, who has also formed a partnership with Mississippi's own first female Iron Chef Cat Cora, continues to perform community outreach, by forging partnerships with such organizations as: the American Cancer Society, which recognized him as one of the 2019 Real Men Wear Pink; Share the Gulf, which named him cochair; and the Partnership for a Healthy Mississippi; and
WHEREAS, it is the policy of the House of Representatives to recognize and commend excellence when demonstrated through the remarkable talent of Mississippi's native sons and daughters, especially those of Chef Wallace's caliber, whose mastery of his craft has bestowed renowned national acclaim upon himself and the State of Mississippi:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby commend and congratulate the stellar career and culinary success of Mississippi chef extraordinaire Nick Wallace, and extend best wishes for continued success in all his future endeavors.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to Chef Nick Wallace and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.