Odessa Piper facts for kids

Odessa Piper is a famous American chef and restaurant owner. She was born Karen Odessa Piper on October 15, 1952. She is well-known for starting a special restaurant called L'Etoile. This restaurant focuses on using fresh, local food.

Early Life and Food Journey

Odessa Piper was born in Pearl City, Territory of Hawaii. She grew up in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. Her love for food began when she worked on a farm in Canaan. This farm focused on sustainable agriculture. That means growing food in a way that protects the environment.

In 1969, Piper moved to Madison, Wisconsin. There, she worked with a mentor named JoAnna Guthrie. Guthrie owned a restaurant called Ovens of Brittany. JoAnna Guthrie taught Odessa about using organic and local ingredients. This experience greatly influenced Odessa's cooking style.

Building a Local Food Restaurant

In 1976, Odessa Piper and a partner opened a restaurant called L'Etoile in Madison. Odessa later became the full owner of the restaurant. Like her mentor's place, L'Etoile used local ingredients. They bought meat and produce from nearby farmers.

Fresh Food from Local Farms

L'Etoile often featured foods from the famous Dane County Farmers' Market. This market is right next to the restaurant. L'Etoile was part of a movement to create "local cuisine." This means making dishes using only food grown or produced nearby. Other famous restaurants, like Chez Panisse, also followed this idea.

Awards and Recognition

Odessa Piper's hard work paid off. In 2001, she won a James Beard Award. This award is like an Oscar for chefs. She was named "Best Chef: Midwest." L'Etoile was also listed as one of America's 50 Best Restaurants by Gourmet magazine.

In 2005, Odessa sold L'Etoile to her head chef, Tory Miller. Her cooking has been featured in many magazines. These include Fine Cooking and Food & Wine. She has also been on NPR and Wisconsin Public Radio. Her amazing food has even been served at the White House.

Odessa's Personal Life

Odessa Piper is married to Terry Theise. He is a person who imports wine from other countries. They live in Roslindale, Boston.