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White House executive chef Cristeta Comerford in July 2002, photo by Tina Hager.

Top 10 Facts About Cristeta Comerford

Cristeta Pasia Comerford is a Filipino-American chef who has been the White House executive chef since 2005. She was born on October 27, 1962. She has gone into history books as the first woman and first person of Asian origin to ever hold the White House executive post and was named the first woman and minority Executive Chef.

The chef attended the Manila Science High School and later majored in food and technology at the University of the Philippines, Diliman in Quezon City. Before completion, she immigrated to the United States at the age of 23.

Her position meant a lot for all the young culinarians in the world, especially the minority. She did work like preparing food for the first family and guests if any. She worked at the Sheraton Hotel near O’Hare International Airport, Hyatt Regency hotel and spent six months in Vienna as a rotating chef.

To learn more about her, here are the top 10 facts about Cristeta Comerford. Read more about the 10 most famous Filipinos here.

1. Cristeta grew up in a family of 10 children

The chef was born and raised in Manila, Philippines with six half-brothers, one half-sister and three full sisters. There are other sources that indicate they are twelve but what is certain is that she is the second youngest of them all. With such an upbringing, she witnessed her mother cook and prepare meals for everyone in the family

Her mom was quite fast and good in the kitchen. Her meals were quite delicious and well prepared. She would once in a while help her mother help in the kitchen. She then realised that she is talented in the kitchen and to date, she credits her mother for her career choice.

2. She was reappointed by First Lady Michele Obama

President Barack Obama at the White House Executive, photo by Pete Souza.

Comerford was first enlisted by White House executive chef Walter Scheib III in 1995 to work in the Clinton White House as an assistant chef. The chef worked just as hard as anyone and worked well under pressure with extraordinary skills.

With time, the chef was officially appointed by Mrs. Laura Bush in  August 2005 as the executive chef. Her appointment came with a lot of firsts such as being the first female, the first person of colour and the first minority to hold the position. Mrs. Michelle Obama saw her talent, passion, and strong belief in family and community and reappointed Cris Comerford.

3. She had a lot of responsibilities in the White House

Cooks prepare a meal at the White House, photo by (Shealah Craighead).

While Cristeta held the executive chef role she had the primary job of taking care of the First Family. She would prepare their meals and it would also depend if the first family has any guests.

In addition to her work, she would also take care of and organise the staff whenever there are events such as social gatherings and official meetings. She would also take care of different groups from an intimate dinner for two to a state dinner for the monarchy.

She also plans and designs the menus for official dinners, social events or family entertainment. In an interview, she states that her biggest chore was when she did the Governor’s Dinner. This was memorable as she has to work with culinary students in a mentorship program.

4. Cristeta was not aware that the state dinner was part of her interview

Cristeta was not aware that she was being watched or tested. She was at the time preparing and planning a state dinner for the prime minister of India and competing with other chefs’  tasting menus. The chef was so busy that she had no time to figure out what she would do for her menu tasting.

The First Lady,Laura Bush was observing her and watched how she handled herself while she was under pressure. Cristeta was brave and handled the guests very well. She was competing against the final 3 for the position of executive sous chef which was previously held by chef Cris.

5. The Chef was born into a culinary talented family

White House staff on preparations for the State Dinner honouring Mexico, photo by Samantha Appleton.

Starting with her mother, although she did not study culinary, was an amazing cook. She enjoyed cooking and would gladly let her daughter help out. In addition, she credits her mother for her skills to combine food exceptionally. Cristeta’s daughter who is 8 years old, Danielle, can prepare a four-course meal.

 Daniel’s first tasting dinner of 16 courses was done in New York where she managed to do a total of 8 well done courses. On mother’s day she prepared a menu for all the things she would love to prepare for her mother. Her husband John is also a talented executive chef) decided to step back in his career.

6. Her husband took a step back in his career for her

 Her husband John is also a talented executive chef and when an opportunity came for her wife to grow her career, he took a step back and let her flourish. Some may call it an act of love but it was all in all a great sacrifice.

Cristeta is always grateful for what her husband did for her and the daughter they have. He sacrifices a lot for them. She still gets time to spend with her family while enjoying a successful career as a family is one of her strongholds.

7. There were 450 applications for the Executive Chef position

Photo by Louis Hansel on

At the very beginning, the Executive Chef position was applied for by  450 individuals who were then shortlisted to the top 10 and the 3 finalists. The final 3 were then required to prepare a tasting menu.

Cristeta managed to be part of the final 3 contestants. She was at the time working in the White House and had taken the role ontng  a preliminary basis. She was also told to help the two finalists prepare their tasting menu.

8. Cristeta used her fear to fuel her passion

When it was officially announced that she would be the executive chef of the White House, the chef made history by being the first female, a person of colour, Asian to hold that position. She was under a lot of pressure and fear.

She never let her fear get a hold of her, instead, she used it to further fuel herself to achieve more in her career. With a kitchen full of  7 full-time staff with additional staff, if needed, it is a tough kitchen to run and requires the toughest to uphold its reputation.

9. She puts touches of Filipino food in some of the meals she serves

Photo by Eiliv Aceron on

In an interview, she expressly stated that she would put touches of Filipino food in some of the meals that she prepared. She derives her origin of cooking from her family’s home-cooked meals such as fried rice, tocino, longganisa, Tapa and corned beef.

She incorporates Filipino cuisine once in a while which takes her back to her home-town and her mother’s most loved dishes in a discrete yet delicious taste.

10. Cristeta is proud of her origin

Just like every person of colour and a minority, she is extremely proud of her origin and her upbringing. Without her stay in Manila and growing up there, she would not have gotten where she is now in her career. Her talent and origin made her unique and stand out.

She believes in the community and family. She remains to be an inspiration to minority persons who aspire to be great chefs.

Cristeta is truly an amazing chef with great culinary skills to offer. She is also a member of the Club Chefs du Chef, an association of chefs of heads of state. She is great in the kitchen and it is visible from her successful career.