White House executive chef Cristeta Pasia Comerford was feted at a special weekend reception at the Ambassador’s residence, receiving another award for culinary excellence.
“Let me just pour my heart out a little bit,” she told her audience, “Every time I come to the Filipino community, how they’ve really honored me and just celebrated this biggest thing in my life, which is such an endearing thing for me.”
Comerford had the night off as President Obama and his wife Michelle celebrated their 17th wedding anniversary with a quiet dinner under a full moon at the Blue Duck Tavern on M Street, just a few blocks away from the Philippine Ambassador’s residence on R Street. Even before she arrived, Comerford had asked the Philippine Embassy staff to tell reporters she will not be answering any questions.
As a member of the President’s personal staff, White House gag orders are reportedly stricter on them.
We tried to get some words instead from her husband, John, who is himself a chef. We asked him what among his own signature dishes Cris liked the most? “I have to get her permission,” he replied, but not before revealing he too stirs out a mean adobo.
But Comerfold obviously relished being with her compatriots. “In our community, no matter where we are, we’re always like one big family,” she declared.
She received the Mama Sita Award for Culinary Excellence, which is named after the Reyes matriarch Teresita Reyes.
Mama Sita has become synonymous with Filipino cuisine. A host of food products bear her name – from sinigang mix to siling labuyo hot sauce, which Comerford acknowledged by saying she grew up with their sauces.
The Reyes family also established the popular Aristocrat restaurant chain.
Comerford was born in the Philippines and grew up in Sampaloc, Manila. She studied at the University of the Philippines but her food technology education was cut short when she had to fly to the US, settling in the Obamas’ hometown of Chicago. She was recruited in 1995 by White House executive chef Walter Schieb III but got her big break in 2005 when he resigned and First Lady Laura Bush promoted her to executive chef. When the Obamas moved into the White House in January, Michelle asked her to stay on.
At least one of her dishes earned a line in Mrs. Obama’s kitchen tour for the National Association of Governors dinner recently when she pointed out Comerford’s recipe for creamed spinach without cream. Comerford is the first woman, first member of the minority and first Filipino to hold the position.
Ambassador Willy Gaa, leading a toast, said Filipinos owe a debt of gratitude to people like Comerford for the honor they bring to all Filipinos.
Concluding her short acceptance speech, she reminded the audience about the plight of disaster victims back home. “Just keep the Filipinos back home in your thoughts and your prayers because no matter how resilient and strong Filipinos are, they still need our help.”
Source: PinoyHerald
Photo credit: Feliz Navidad
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