Page 88 - South Mississippi Living - April, 2018

DINING yummy
MEET OUR
Chef
Canada native Chef Jean-Paul Lavalle considers the Mississippi Gulf Coast home. “I fell in love with the Coast the first time I saw the beach and would not consider raising my daughter anywhere, but Mississippi,” he said. Lavallee has been a chef for 30 years and has worked in the restaurant industry since 1984. He has been
with Oak Crest Mansion Inn
in Pass Christian for the
past two years.
Lavallee, like many
chefs, got his cooking
inspiration from his
mother, by helping in
the kitchen to prepare
family meals, but his love
of creativity in the culinary arts is what drives his passion. “I get great satisfaction out of taking raw, fresh ingredients and creating dishes,” he said. “One fresh ingredient, and my brain goes crazy with how I may use it to prepare a dish.”
Shrimp and Grits is his favorite
dish to prepare, because of all of the variations and possibilities of prep,
but as for his favorite dish to eat, it’s
a toss-up between a good brick oven pizza and Poutine — a dish from Quebec consisting of French fries and cheese curds topped with brown gravy.
For anyone wanting to pursue a career
as a chef, Lavallee
says to stay humble, love and respect
the products used in preparing a dish,
and respect your staff. “Everyone has
an important role in the kitchen, from the dishwasher to
the chef,” he said. “Be passionate, and always cook like it’s your last supper.”
Oak Crest Mansion Inn is a member of the Coast Restaurant Association and is located at 5267 Menge Avenue in Pass Christian.
BAYOUBLUFF Tennis and Recreational Club
story and photo courtesy of
Mississippi Coast Restaurant & Beverage Association
INCREDIBLE VIEW WITH FULLY COVERED OUTSIDE DECK
WATCH TORTILLAS BEING MADE FRESH DAILY
GREAT MARGARITAS WITH OVER 30 DIFFERENT TEQUILLAS
UNIQUE TWIST WITH TEX-MEX CUISINE
CALL FOR
PRIVATE BUENA VISTA PARTY ROOM WITH A BEACH VIEW
88 SOUTH MISSISSIPPI Living • April 2018
FOR MORE REFLECTIONS OF THE GULF COAST >> www.smliving.net
JOIN THIS ONE-OF-A-KIND CLUB
• Clubhouse
• Pool
• Pavilion
• Rentals
• Overlooking Beautiful Bayou Bernard
• Special Event Accommodations • Weddings
• Receptions
• Business Meetings
• Birthday Parties • Reunions
On-Site & Off-Site Catering
TOURNAMENTS
April 13-15
BBTC Spring JR Open
May 25-27
Mayfield Memorial Day NTRP
June 22-24
MMcDonald’s MS Junior Open
UPCOMING
ENTREES TO GO
SWIM TEAM
begins May 7
SERVING LUNCH Tues - Sun, 11AM - 2PM SERVING DINNER Wed - Fri, 5PM - 9PM (228)896-9166 • (228)669-7149 • LisaMetz@cableone.net
11553 W. TAYLOR RD. • GULFPORT
• MTA MEMBER ORGANIZATION OF THE YEAR
• USTA Southern Region Member Organization of the Year