Ris Lacoste is the chef/owner of RIS, a Washington, DC, restaurant with a seasonal American menu. Prior to RIS, she was the executive chef of Georgetown’s celebrated 1789 Restaurant.

1. One thing you don’t know about me is that I love superheroes.

2. If I could trade places with one chef it would be Anthony Bourdain because he travels, gets to experience the world and the people of the world, and not only their food, but their lives. I really like his new show on CNN.

3. One of my most memorable meals was at Au Bon Accueil in Beaune, France, with Julia and Paul Child.

4. If there were no scallops, I’d have no reason to live. I love to cook them. Sea scallops or amazing Nantucket scallops, it doesn’t matter.

5. My go-to drink is Tanqueray gin on the rocks, no fruit.

6. If I were on death row my last meal would be the above-mentioned gin to start, the cheeseburger we serve at RIS with provolone, fries and catsup with a glass of Turley Zinfandel, finished with a hot fudge sundae with coffee almond fudge ice cream, whipped cream and a maraschino cherry . . . or maybe birthday cake.

7. My worst culinary creation was trying to recreate Frank Ruta’s description of Yannick Cam’s boudin blanc for a tasting menu my first New Year’s Eve at 1789.

8. If I could change one thing about me it would be: Well, this is easy, I’d be thin and gorgeous. I have the rest going for me.

9. My favorite junk food is Fritos.

10. If I wasn’t a restaurant operator, I’d love to be a singer, an athlete, a football coach or a writer.