Jxn Visionary: Chef Nick Wallace

A childhood spent at the feet of his grandmothers, Chef Nick Wallace came by his love and respect of food honesty.

Chef Nick Wallace
Credit: Drew Dempsey

Raised by many strong women, he entered adulthood with a talent for baking biscuits, frying chicken, cooking from scratch and recognizing quality ingredients.

“I credit my grandmothers Queen Morris and Lennel Donald with my love of food,” explains Wallace, who focuses on fresh, local ingredients prepared in a cultivated French method, elevating his Mississippi fixings.

The Jackson native has served as Executive Chef for some of the country’s most prominent museums and hotels.

Currently, Wallace owns and operates his own culinary and catering business and operates the Nissan Café by Nick Wallace at the Two Mississippi Museums downtown and, longtime private dining venue, the Capital Club. Nick’s talent has also been on full display on Food Network’s Comfort Nation, Chopped, and Cutthroat Kitchen.

Wallace believes in giving back and partnering with other members of the culinary community.

“There’s no more generous community than the one we have right here in Jackson,” he says.

Partnering with local farmers, Wallace has formed Creativity Kitchen, a non-profit organization bringing healthy, fresh food to Jackson Public Schools.

“You would have a hard time finding better food than what we have here in Jackson,” says Wallace. “The talent and the ingredients we have on hand, everything from fresh produce to Gulf seafood, are the best you’ll find anywhere.”