My name is Cris Comerford; I’m the White House Executive Chef.
My main responsibility as the Executive Chef of the White House is taking care of the First
Family, foremost and all. Just their daily meals, and of course if they have any social
functions or state dinners or any kind of entertaining, we take care of everything in
the kitchen.
Definitely it’s high pressure, because first and foremost, it’s for the President of
the United States, so and also, of course, the visiting countries and the visiting Heads
of State because you want to respect their traditions, you want to respect their protocol
dietary restrictions. So there is a lot of things to learn.
We have harvested so much in that little garden, and in a span of 2 ½ years, there are 300 at
least pounds of produce that we have harvested throughout the years.
These are actual Italian eggplant that came from the garden. Eggplant is such a wonderful
staple. And then, what I did earlier is just grilled this until it is charred; and what
it does is, it’s easy to peel, but then at the same time it gives it a wonderful flavor.
I didn’t know that I wanted to be a chef growing up. It’s definitely not on my top
list. I wanted to be a scientist. I went to the University of the Philippines, I took
up food technology. But I think the more I worked with food and I always helped my mom
cook for a family of 11, it’s a huge family, so everyday it’s like a banquet in our house.
But not thinking that’s what I’m really gearing up for.
So when I was going to college, my dad actually asked me “Why don’t you go to Le Cordon Bleu?”
If you really make food yourself, you could control the taste, you could control the fat
that’s in there, you could control the salt, you could control the sugar. And at the end
of the day, it’s very rewarding because it’s your own hand that made it.
Be hands on, work really hard, and then really listen to your parents because they really
know you more than you think. So in my experience, like what my dad was saying; at the time I
just laughed at him. But actually he was very, very right, so listen to your parents and
help out your mom and dad cooking in the kitchen. That's all.
To learn more about the White House and take an interactive tour, visit WhiteHouse.gov.
For more information about other government careers, go to kids.gov.