White House Pinay Chef one of ‘100 Most Influential Fil-Am Women’ in US

White House’s first female executive chef, Filipino-American Cristeta “Cris” Pasia Comerford, will be recognized as one of the 100 most Influential Filipina American Women in the United States, the new site AsianWeek reported.  

 

AsianWeek  said the Philippine-born chef was appointed by former First Lady Laura Bush as the White house’s head chef in August 2005. She continues to serve President Barrack Obama and his family.

 

The 50-year -old Comerford was the first female and first Asian-American to assume the executive chef position in the White House.

 

Her responsibilities include designing and executing menus for state dinners, social events, holiday functions, receptions and official luncheons, the news site said.

 

Comerford is likewise set to deliver a keynote speech on behalf of the 2012 Awardees at the gala celebration of the 9th Annual Filipina leadership Summit on August 31 at Standard Court Hotel, AsiaWeek said. www.FilipinaWomensNetwork.org/events

 

Comerford, who had 26 years of culinary experience, graduated with a degree in Food Technology from the University of the Philippines.

 

She grew up in Sampaloc, Manila and emigrated in the United States in 1983. She currently lives in Columbia, Maryland with her 11-year old daughter named Danielle.

 

Two years ago, Cris received the “Chef of the Year 2010” recognition award from March of Dimes Chicago. 

 

She said her dressmaker mom, Erlinda, was the person who had the biggest influence in pursuing her career. - with Rouchelle Dinglasan, VVP, GMA News