A Brief History of the White House Kitchen

history of white house kitchen Cristeta Comerford Sam Kass meal prep facilities
executive chef presidential
Tina Hager / White House / Getty

The First Chef
White House executive chef and Philippines native Cristeta Comerford was promoted to the position in 2005 after working in the kitchen for ten years. She will stay on to head up the kitchen for the Obamas. Comerford has roots in Chicago, having worked in several hotel kitchens there shortly after moving to the U.S.

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