Cristeta Comerford
| Cristeta Comerford | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| White House Executive Chef | |
| Incumbent | |
| Assumed office August 14, 2005 |
|
| President | George W. Bush Barack Obama |
| Preceded by | Walter Scheib |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1962 (age 49–50) Sampaloc, Manila, Philippines |
| Alma mater | University of the Philippines, Diliman
Major in Food Technology. |
Cristeta Pasia Comerford (born 1962) is a Filipino American chef who has been the White House Executive Chef since 2005. She is the first woman to be selected for the post, and also the first of Asian American descent.
Contents |
[edit] Early life
Cristeta Comerford was born as Cristeta Pasia in the Philippines and grew up at Sampaloc, Manila. She completed her secondary education at the Manila Science High School. She attended the University of the Philippines, Diliman in Quezon City, majoring in food technology. However, she left school before completing the degree when she immigrated to the United States at the age of 23.
[edit] Career
Comerford's first job was at the Sheraton Hotel near O'Hare International Airport. She also worked at the Hyatt Regency hotel. After Chicago, she moved to Washington, D.C., and worked as a chef at two restaurants. She additionally spent six months in Vienna as a rotating chef. Comerford was recruited by White House executive chef Walter Scheib III in 1995 to work in the Clinton White House.
After Scheib resigned in February 2005, Comerford was appointed White House executive chef by First Lady Laura Bush on August 14, 2005. Comerford is the first female White House executive chef and the first person of ethnic minority origin to hold this position.[1]
She reportedly was appointed to this position due to her handling of a large dinner that was held in honor of Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.[2]
She was referred to when George Bush mentioned his "Philippine-American chef" to visiting Philippine president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in June 2008.
On January 9, 2009, the Obama transition team announced that Comerford would be retained as the administration's head chef.[3] Michelle Obama stated, "Also the mom of a young daughter, I appreciate our shared perspective on the importance of healthy eating and healthy families." [4]
Comerford appeared on a special two hour episode of Iron Chef America, originally broadcast on January 2, 2010. She was teamed up with Bobby Flay and competed against a team of Emeril Lagasse and Mario Batali.[5] Comerford and Flay were triumphant.
[edit] Personal life
She lives in Columbia, Maryland, with her husband, John, and their daughter, Danielle.
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ Office of the First Lady (2005-08-14). "Cristeta Comerford Named White House Executive Chef". Press Release. The White House. http://georgewbush-whitehouse.archives.gov/news/releases/2005/08/20050814-1.html. Retrieved 2008-04-30.
- ^ Candy Sagon (2005-08-15). "Toque of the Town: White House Names 1st Female Executive Chef". Washington Post. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/08/14/AR2005081400625.html. Retrieved 2008-04-30.
- ^ Stacy Finz (2009-01-17). "Bay Area foodies ask: What will the Obamas eat?". San Francisco Chronicle. http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2009/01/17/MN3J15BRTM.DTL&type=food.
- ^ Lisa Tolin (2009-01-09). "Obama mother-in-law to join family in White House". Associated Press. http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090109/ap_on_go_pr_wh/obama_mother_in_law;_ylt=AinbSGEyTPfeF6J9wraew0IGw_IE. Retrieved 2009-01-09.[dead link]
- ^ Reid, Tim (4 January 2010). "White House cuisine put to reality test with Iron Chef appearance". TimesOnline (London). http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/us_and_americas/article6974698.ece. Retrieved 4 January 2010.
[edit] Further reading
- Cris Comerford is Filipino And Proud, 25 August 2009
- "Cristeta Comerford Named White House Executive Chef". http://georgewbush-whitehouse.archives.gov/news/releases/2005/08/20050814-1.html. Retrieved August 15, 2005.
- "Hail to the Chef!". The Washington Post. August 22, 2005. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/08/21/AR2005082101106.html?sub=AR. Retrieved August 22, 2005.
- "Cristeta Comerford is White House Chef (Photos)". http://www.rightpundits.com/?p=2656. Retrieved January 10, 2009.
- Marek, Lynne (January 14, 2009). "Yes, she can (cook)". Chicago Sun-Times. http://www.suntimes.com/lifestyles/1375517,FOO-News-obama14.article. Retrieved January 14, 2009.
- "The White House's commander in chef". http://www.latimes.com/news/politics/inauguration/la-fo-inaugurationbox14-2009jan14,0,4468079.story. Retrieved January 14, 2009.[dead link]
- Newsweek: No White House Food Fight
- Cristeta Comerford Of Manila Philippines
[edit] External links
- "ABC NEWS VIDEO of First Lady Michelle Obama & her Executive Chef on Feb. 23, 2009". http://abcnews.go.com/Video/playerIndex?id=6939075.
| Government offices | ||
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| Preceded by Walter Scheib |
White House Executive Chef 2005–present |
Incumbent |
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