Reuters Aug. 14, 2005 - U.S. First Lady Laura Bush, on a quest for the last six months to give the White House menus a lighter, more American flair, has hired a Filipino-American Cristeta Comerford as the mansion's new head chef, the first woman to hold the job.
"He also suggested that the White House consider hiring from within -- meaning, from among the assistant chefs currently cooking for the first family.
Cristeta Comerford, a White House assistant chef for several years, is one such candidate. A naturalized Filipino, she helped current chef Scheib create the menu for the state dinner for Philippine President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in 2003.
Mesnier calls her creative and "very hardworking" -- his highest accolade. She also would be a top choice of the board of Women Chefs and Restaurateurs, who sent the first lady a letter in March asking her to consider the historic move of naming a woman to be head chef."
Originally posted by kd: I thank you for your support! I'm flattered that you would vote for me. I truly appreciate all you do for me. However, I don't think I'd be the best person for the White House job. I have no idea how I got into that talent pool. I was just curious as to your thoughts on the subject.
In that case I think of the others offered, Cat Cora or Alice Waters would be good choices. Apparently you can vote for more than one, you just can't vote for the same one twice.
I saw a program about the White House Chef. it indicated that they do cook what the Presidential Family wants if they request it but they also plan their own menus and then get them approved. I don't think they just make something without the family knowing in advance what is being served.
"Live your life so that you are not afraid to sell the family parrot to the town gossip."
Posts: 4044 | Location: NE Atlanta (Chamblee, Doraville, Norcross, Duluth) | Registered: March 15, 2004
Sara Moulton was one of my other favorites on FN -- she has a nice persona and her recipes seem realistic and look delicious. I didn't personally notice any fumbling but it would be expected that on a live show sometimes things would go wrong.
----------- Jen
Posts: 2868 | Location: Ohio | Registered: March 11, 2004
I didn't know Paula Dean was a Chef. Can you imagine the President's waistline after eating her cooking for a few weeks -- don't get me wrong, I think her stuff all looks delicious, but I can't imagine eating all that butter! Lisa
More on the campaign to get a female chef in the White House from the woman behind the push, author of Super Chef, Juliette Rossant:
Here is some of what I'm doing to "get out the vote": - Contacting blogs - Contacting the chefs' PR firms (see below) - Contacting other PR firms representing other women chefs - Contacting Media - Contacting women-related, women-advocating NGOs to form a Voter Partnership to get out the vote
Nominated chefs can do a lot to help get votes for themselves as they get out the vote. Several have already sent out emails to their various lists. Nancy Silverton's daughter mentioned the vote yesterday on Air America Radio -- and Nancy received scores of votes in just minutes. Other recommendations are mentioned in my previous messages, below.
To further help get out the vote from superchefblog, I would like to profile each chef -- probably 3-5 profiles per day during early April, so all the chefs get a good, clean shot at publicizing and personalizing themselves to garner votes. I am preparing a short, fun questionnaire (described below) which I will get out to you and the others shortly. Also, separately, I would like to publish an article about how each chef feels about the position of White House Executive Chef and why having a woman in the job is important. Of course, each chef can use the profile as desired. Further suggestions are welcome.
FYI, Bullfrog & Baum, which represents two nominees (Sara Moulton and Patricia Yeo) is preparing a release for its Media list today which announces the poll. I drafted a press release for them yesterday, which I'd be happy to forward if you're interested.
While this poll is great fun in itself, we might garner enough votes to compel the White House to seriously consider a woman for White House Executive Chef. Such a popular election could only help pave the way for a woman president in 2008!
[QUOTE]Originally posted by kd: There's a non-official campaign to get a female chef in the White House. What do you guys think?
KD, Do you want the job or was your name thrown their way? If you want the job, I'll vote for you as you are my inspiration and teach me a lot. However, I'll miss you big time if we can't see/hear from you anymore. SInce security is so tight around there, I'm not sure we'd hear from you. What is your take on this? Have a great day!!
I thank you for your support! I'm flattered that you would vote for me. I truly appreciate all you do for me. However, I don't think I'd be the best person for the White House job. I have no idea how I got into that talent pool. I was just curious as to your thoughts on the subject.
My passion is showing people they have the power within to make the changes they seek. We do not have to be the most obese nation in the world. Giving the lifelong gift of health to our children by teaching them the importance of regular physical activity and how to choose and prepare healthy food is perhaps the single most important after school activity we can engage them in. Choosing health is a privilege we are blessed to be able to freely exercise. We must demand, work for and facilitate change in our schools and in our homes. Together we can.
Would you be able to continue with your style of cooking in there or would they dictate what you made? I guess what I am asking is would they be open to a low-fat food life style or would you be trying to swim against the current. Is this where you want to go? Mnm
I voted for Kd, too. But, I felt the same as cobismom - I'd miss kd here if she worked there! I actually have a relative that works with a part of the government in DC that deals with the executive branch - I sent her this link - maybe she'll get something going!!
Me
The miracle isn't that I finished, the miracle is that I had the courage to start. - John "the Penguin" Bingham [/I]
Posts: 591 | Location: Nashville | Registered: April 05, 2004
KD it was a tough decision. If I voted for you, we'd miss you here. Because you'd be so busy at the WH, we'd never get you back....if I don't vote for you....I'd be voting for the wrong person. So....I did the right thing for our country, and voted for you....was there ever a question. Then you can tell me is Ms Beasley and Barney get to eat left overs from the kitchen!
It's never too late to get it right.
Posts: 3473 | Location: Central USA | Registered: March 11, 2004
