Chef Biography
Kathy Ruiz was born and raised in Houston. Her father was an eye surgeon in Houston, so she decided on medicine and graduated with a degree in biology from Manhattanville College in New York. While in school, she worked in a few restaurant kitchens before moving back to Houston for a job in a geology library. But after a year’s flirtation with science, she talked her way into a job at Hilltop Herb Farm as chef. As Chef Ruiz says, “I taught myself the ropes and found what I wanted to do”. She then was offered a job at Café Luxeford, located in a new hotel near the Astrodome.
Great Chefs caught up with Chef Ruiz in 1986 where she was the executive chef at the Bistro Garden in Houston. She was featured in their Great Chefs of the West series for PBS.
Eight years later in 1994, she was approached to join the Landry’s Restaurant Group in Houston as executive chef. Today in 2016, she is the Vice President of Culinary Development for all of the Landry’s Restaurants.
Recipes
Two-Salmon Pasta
Serving: 6 Print Two-Salmon Pasta By Great Chefs November 10, 2015 Salmon in a dill-cream sauce is a classic combination. What makes this dish exciting is the contrasting spicy pasta and the intense taste of smoked salmon paired with fresh salmon. The pasta can be made a few days in advance and allowed to dry. […]
Chocolate Cream Pie with Meringue Crust
Serving: 6 Print Chocolate Cream Pie with Meringue Crust By Great Chefs November 10, 2015 Looking like a classic chocolate cream pie, Kathy Ruiz’ version is anything but. The crust is made of pecan meringue; the silky filling is flavored with chocolate and espresso. The combination is delicious. Ingredients Crust Egg Whites – 3 Pinch […]