Cultural mix the best ingredient in White House kitchen – Pinay top chef

To illustrate the benefits of cultural diversity, the first Filipina executive chef of the White House – Cristeta Pasia Comerford – did not look farther than her own kitchen staff. Interacting with Filipinos via video chat at a recently-concluded US Embassy event, Comerford underscored the importance of tapping “different people from different backgrounds offering different things." The three-day program held from March 18 to 20 – “America in 3-D" – highlighted the diplomatic relations between the United States and the Philippines, among other things. Comerford, who was born in Manila’s Sampaloc district, said the multiculturalism within her staff allows them to offer a range of cultural traditions in the White House dining halls. "So every nation, every community offers something good. For me, as a chef, you want to really be open to that. You want to make it like an equal opportunity for everything to be on the table," she said.
Comerford has worked in the White House since the term of former President Bill Clinton. (See: Cristeta Comerford: Cooking for the chief in the White House) When the Obama administration reinstated Comerford as White House executive chef in 2009, First Lady Michelle Obama said she and Comerford have a "shared perspective on the importance of healthy eating and healthy families." (See: Obamas to retain Fil-Am as White House chef)—Paterno Esmaquel II/JV, GMA News