Filipino-American Chef Cris Comerford Leaving White House After 29 Years

The 61-year-old chef from Sampaloc, Manila, has served 54 state dinners under five U.S. presidencies.

MANILA, Philippines – After nearly three decades of developing and executing menus for state dinners and official receptions, 61-year-old White House chef Cristeta “Cris” Comerford has retired.

A spokeswoman for First Lady Jill Biden said the latter issued a statement acknowledging Comerford’s “barrier-breaking career,” which spanned 29 years and included 54 state dinners. Her final day is Friday, Aug. 2 (U.S. time).

“I always say food is love. Throughout her groundbreaking career, Chef Cris has led her team with warmth and creativity, and fed our souls along the way,” said the First Lady.

“Joe and I are wholeheartedly grateful for her dedication and years of service,” she added.

According to Washington Post, Comerford stood out from 450 applicants when she skillfully hosted a state dinner for 134 guests, hosted in honour of then-Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

She began her White House career in 1995 as an assistant chef, and in 2005 was promoted to executive chef under George W. Bush. She worked under five US presidents: Bill Clinton, George Bush, Barack Obama, Donald Trump and Joe Biden.

The Filipino-American chef is the first woman and first person of color to serve as White House executive chef, and led a team of three sous chefs and Susie Morrison, the White House pastry chef.

Comerford grew up in Sampaloc, Manila. She graduated from the University of the Philippines with a degree in food technology and immigrated to the U.S. shortly after. At age 23, Comerford began her culinary career at the Sheraton Hotel and Le Ciel in Vienna, Austria, before joining the White House kitchen staff. She is known for combining her Filipino heritage with global culinary techniques.

James Beard Award-winning chef and humanitarian José Andrés shared his admiration for Comerford, calling her a “national treasure.”

“(She) is a culinary diplomat who showed the world how an immigrant can celebrate American cuisine and share it with world leaders,” Andrés wrote. – Rappler.com