Although there was much speculation over who the Obamas would appoint head chef at the White House, the President-elect and first lady-to-be have chosen to keep the current executive chef in the kitchen. Chef since 2005, Cristeta Comerford is the first woman to hold the coveted position. In a statement released last Friday, Michelle Obama praised the female chef:
Cristeta Comerford brings such incredible talent to the White House operation and came very highly regarded from the Bush family. Also the mom of a young daughter, I appreciate our shared perspective on the importance of healthy eating and healthy families. I look forward to working with her in the years to come.
Despite pressure from prominent foodies such as Alice Waters, Michael Pollan, and Ruth Reichl, the Obamas have shied away from using the executive chef position to make a political statement about the state of food and agriculture in America. What do you think about the news? Are you surprised they're keeping the Bush's chef? Should they have chosen a more well-known one?
Net-a-Porter
Urban Outfitters
Tod's
who cares if the chef is "high profile" or not? whats important is that they have a good relationship, and the priorities (health, etc) are in order. and how great is it for malia and sasha to have this woman as a role model (not that they arent surrounded by role models, but still!) - the first woman to hold the chef position? thats awesome.
1i agree with cassedy! plus if the food is good, who cares who the name is!
2I agree, cassedy. Who cares if the chef is well-known? And, while Bush and Obama seem to have different culinary tastes, both seem focused on personal health and wellness, so I'm sure it will be a smooth transition for chef Comerford.
3I'd hire Anthony Bourdain, but just so I could look at him.
4I think that it is really awesome that they are going to keep the same chef I am proud that it is a woman of course but also I think that it is nice that they are keeping it in perspective good food is good food not good politics! I also think that it is wise to keep with a chef who knows the workings of the white house and already knows her way around its kitchen.
5Eeek, apostrophe mayhem going on in this post.
6I think they made a good choice. They have so many decisions to make that are a departure from how the Bush administration did things that it is nice to let them ride this one out. George and Laura seem like they eat a healthy diet, so why deviate from that? If the situation is not favorable they can always change their mind later. It isn't complex like choosing a cabinet position with vetting and confirmations.
7The year before I entered college in 2000, the chef at our cafeteria left to work at the White House! I never got to taste his food, and apparently it went downhill, according to older students who got ample helpings of his creations in the past.
Anyway, this chef sounds very good. And I'll bet the Obamas got to sample her food. I don't the position necessarily requires a famous chef; just a talented one.
8Don't get me wrong, I fully support the food revolution that is happening right now in the United States, but with the state of the economy, human rights violations and two wars, I hope that the chef at the White House is the last thing on President Obama's mind. We can change the food industry with our dollar bills, but we can't stop wars, the catastrophic failure of our economy and infrastructure or put an end to torture and false imprisonment. Locavore eatng or innocents being brutalized by our own government? The choice is clear. Why don't we work on the food and leave Mr. Obama to clean up Bush's mess.
9well i think that it's a good move that they have kept on someone - and well - it's a chef - it's not a foreign position. i think that they will be pleased, and you're 100% - it's not a political choice and they aren't supposed to use their own personal eating habits to be the lead in for what America should do. we don't see what they have at home all the time anyway.
10Who cares whether or not the chef is "well-known" or not? If she's a good cook and the Obamas like what she makes, then it's all good. Like others have said, hopefully the White House chef is low on the priority list for them. I know they're a pretty health-conscious family and so were the Bushes, so she's probably a pretty good choice.
11Why would the president-elect and his family change the current White House chef? I'm sure the food has been well above par for the past 8 yrs.
12I guess she'll have to learn how to cook broccoli.
13I heard she cooks really well..Good food is good food. I would keep her too
14Filipino represent!!
15i can see her cooking adobo (pork or chicken marinated with spices and soy sauce) or sinigang (fish or pork soup spiced with vinegar and other spices) for the Obamas *yum!*
Filipino represent!!
16i can see her cooking adobo (pork or chicken marinated with spices and soy sauce) or sinigang (fish or pork soup spiced with vinegar and other spices) for the Obamas *yum!*
Post New Comment
Please share your opinion with our community, but make sure it is on topic and follows our Community Rules. We moderate comments and prohibit personal attacks, threats, spam, lewd images, or the promotion of your personal website.