Filipina White House Chef will stay

President Barack Obama will not replace the White House Chef. Cristeta Comerford will stay on for the Obamas. Michelle Obama, the First Lady said, "Cristeta Comerford brings such incredible talent to the White House operation and came very highly regarded from the Bush family. Also the mom of a young daughter, I appreciate our shared perspective on the importance of healthy eating and healthy families. I look forward to working with her in the years to come."

Cristeta was named White House Executive Chef in August of 2005. She is the first woman and minority member to serve in the position. She will be responsible for designing and executing menus for state dinners, social events, holiday functions, receptions and official luncheons by the First Family.

She is the first Filipina White House Chef and was born as Cristeta Pasia in the Philippines. She grew up in Sampaloc Manila and earned her secondary education at the Manila Science High School. She did not finished her studies, majored in food technology in University of the Philippines, Diliman in Quezon City because she immigrated to the United States.

Her first job was at the Sheraton Hotel near O'Hare International Airport. She also worked at the Hyatt Regency hotel. After Chicago, she moved to Washington, D.C., and worked as a chef at two restaurants: Chef at Le Grande Bistro at The Westin Hotel in Washington, D.C.; and Chef at The Colonnade at the ANA Hotel in Washington, D.C., where she implemented the "Culinary Arts Gallery" which showcased the best of American fine cuisine.She additionally spent six months in Vienna as a rotating chef at Le Ciel. Comerford was recruited by executive chef Walter Scheib III in 1995 to work in the Clinton White House.

She trained in French classical techniques and in ethnic and American cuisine. She has helped develop inventive menus that showcased American foods and wines for special White House events including the State Dinner in honor of Her Excellency, Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, President of the Philippines; the Official Dinner in honor of His Excellency, Dr. Manmohan Singh, Prime Minister of the Republic of India; and a social dinner in celebration of William Shakespeare's birthday.

She lives in Columbia, Maryland, with her husband, John, and their daughter, Danielle.