‘Top Chef’ Season 5: Jamie Lauren

Current post: Executive chef at Absinthe Brasserie & Bar in San Francisco

Pedigree: An honors graduate of the Culinary Institute of America, Lauren has worked with Anita Lo (Annisa, in New York.) and Lance Dean Velasquez (Bendean, in California.), as well as Jean Michel-Bouvier (of L’Essentiel, in France).

The dish: Lauren grew up in Manhattan. After culinary school, she moved to France to sharpen her skills, and came back to a post at Annisa with Anita Lo. After 9/11 brought life into sharper focus, Lauren decided to seek a sunnier lifestyle on the West Coast. Back then she was known, says Lo, as Jamie Sinsheimer. Lo still bumps into the young chef’s mom at Whole Foods sometimes.

The buzz: “She was very talented,” remembers Lo. “But I haven’t seen her in the greater part of a decade. She was so young but she had a good head on her shoulders and, uh, she could cook.” Lo adds, “She was a little fiery, I think, but that might be a good thing for television.”

Life loves: Indian food and Madonna (Lauren has been to 15 of Her Madgesty’s shows, and openly admits to lip-synching “Like a Prayer” into her hairbrush).

The verdict: While Lo says she can’t predict for sure because “I don’t know who the other contestants are,” she thinks Lauren could be in with a shot. “I hope she wins,” says Lo. “It would be great if she did. I think she’s done a lot for herself, so I am proud of her.”


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