Cristeta Comerford

Filipino-American chef (born 1962)

Cristeta Comerford

Born	Cristeta Gomez Pasia (1962-10-27) October 27, 1962 (age 61) Sampaloc, Manila, Philippines
Education	University of the Philippines Diliman (dropped out)
Spouse	John Comerford
Children	1
Culinary career
Cooking style	French

Cristeta Pasia Comerford (née Gomez Pasia; born October 27, 1962) is a Filipino-American chef who served as the White House executive chef from 2005 until her retirement in 2024. She is the first woman and first person of Asian origin to hold the post.

Early life

Cristeta Comerford was born as Cristeta Gomez Pasia in Sampaloc, Manila, the Philippines to Honesto Pasia, a public school assistant principal, and Erlinda Gomez.^[1] She grew up on Cataluña Street (now G. Tolentino) in 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.

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 as an assistant chef.^[2]

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 woman to hold this position.^[3] 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.^[4]

On January 9, 2009, the Obama transition team announced that Comerford would be retained as the administration's head chef.^[5] Michelle Obama stated, "She is also the mom of a young daughter, and I appreciate our shared perspective on the importance of healthy eating and healthy families."^[6]

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.^[7]

As chef to a head of state, Comerford is a member of Le Club des Chefs des Chefs.^[8]^[9]

Comerford retired from the White House in July 2024.^[10]

Personal life

She lives in Columbia, Maryland, with her husband, John, and their daughter Danielle.^[9]

References

^ Romero, Paolo (November 19, 2006). "Pinay chef gives Bush a paunch". The Philippine Star. Retrieved February 14, 2017.
^ "Cristeta Comerford: Enduring White House Executive Chef". ELYSIAN Magazine. July 8, 2020. Retrieved May 14, 2021.
^ Office of the First Lady (August 14, 2005). "Cristeta Comerford Named White House Executive Chef". Press Release. The White House. Retrieved April 30, 2008.
^ Candy Sagon (August 15, 2005). "Toque of the Town: White House Names 1st Female Executive Chef". The Washington Post. Retrieved April 30, 2008.
^ Stacy Finz (January 17, 2009). "Bay Area foodies ask: What will the Obamas eat?". San Francisco Chronicle.
^ Lisa Tolin (January 9, 2009). "Obama mother-in-law to join family in White House". New York Post. Associated Press.
^ Reid, Tim (January 4, 2010). "White House cuisine put to reality test with Iron Chef appearance". The Times. London. Retrieved January 4, 2010.
^ Buffery, Vicky (July 24, 2012). "Presidential chefs swap recipes for world diplomacy". Reuters. Retrieved October 6, 2013.
^ ^a ^b "Chef Cristeta Comerford". Food Network.
^ "White House's Fil-Am executive chef Cris Comerford retires after 29 years". GMA News. July 31, 2024. Retrieved July 31, 2024.