White House chef retires after cooking for first families for nearly three decades

First lady Jill Biden on Wednesday announced the retirement of long-time White House chef Cristeta Comerford, who has cooked for over five administrations.

Comerford, who was born and raised in Manila in the Philippines, was first invited to work in the White House kitchen as an assistant chef in 1995. A decade later, she was promoted to the role of executive chef in 2005, according to CNN.

The chef, who is the first woman and person of color to hold the position, has cooked for the Clintons, Bushes, Obamas, Trumps, and the Bidens. Her job included overseeing three sous chefs, and an executive pastry chef, and she has designed the menus for many major White House events, including state dinners.

“I always say, food is love," Jill Biden said in a statement. "Through her barrier-breaking career, Chef Cris has led her team with warmth and creativity, and nourished our souls along the way. With all our hearts, Joe and I are filled with gratitude for her dedication and years of service."

Prior to her work in the White House, Comerford worked as a "salad girl" at Chicago hotels, and later worked as a chef at two Washington, D.C., hotels. She has also been trained in French culinary techniques while in Vienna, Austria.

Comerford's last day in the White House was on Friday, and no replacement has been named so far.

Misty Severi is an evening news reporter for Just The News. You can follow her on X for more coverage.