Women of the Year – Alison Patt, Thomas Cuisine

By Heide Brandes

Under President and CEO Alison Patt’s leadership, Thomas Cuisine has grown, embracing a mission centered on providing real food — food that’s fresh, wholesome and made with integrity. She not only champions this mission in her professional role but also embodies it in her personal life.

Patt’s professional and personal journey have been deeply shaped by her family’s journey with autism. Her son Joey was diagnosed with nonverbal autism when he was 1 and the family had a difficult path in the years that followed.

“After trying numerous therapies without making progress, our family turned to food,” Patt said. “We got rid of processed food in our home and dove head-first into healthy, whole-food cooking and eating. Soon after that transition my son began making eye contact and he started playing with his brother. He said, ‘mama,’ and he potty trained. That personal experience fueled my desire to improve the world, one meal at a time. I now have the honor to lead a company on that same mission.”

A testament to her impactful leadership is the expansion of Thomas Cuisine’s reach. The company now provides over 25 million meals each year, many of which are served in the Treasure Valley.

This growth reflects Patt’s vision and commitment to making nourishing, high-quality meals accessible to more people.

“Under my leadership at Thomas Cuisine, we entered the education space, providing real, nourishing food to students across the country,” Patt said. “We also launched an impactful teaching kitchen program, educating hospital patients and community members about how to bring healthy food into their own kitchens with tools, techniques and culinary training.”

Patt is committed to serving her local community, demonstrating dedication to civic engagement and volunteerism. As a member of the College of Western Idaho Foundation Board, Patt works to ensure that Idaho students have access to resources and opportunities that can transform their futures. Additionally, her active participation on the Boise Chamber of Commerce Advisory Board highlights her commitment to fostering economic growth and supporting local businesses.

“Her wisdom contains a wonderful dose of strategy balanced with compassion and empathy towards others,” said Connie Miller, CEO for Credible Advantage. “She can bring out the best in people, while also leading a multi-state organization with hundreds of employees. Through her leadership and community involvement, Alison has made a significant impact on the lives of those around her.”