In honor of Women’s History Month, we continue to recognize the economic, cultural, political, and social contributions of influential immigrant and refugee women who’ve helped shape America’s vibrant tapestry. Today, we spotlight Filipino American Cristeta Comerford, the White House’s first female executive chef and its first executive chef of Asian descent.
Cristeta Comerford was born in Sampaloc, Philippines, in 1962. Her father was a public school assistant principal, and her mother, known as “Nanay,” is said to have inspired her passion for cooking. Cristeta attended the University of the Philippines, majoring in food technology, but left before completing her degree when she immigrated to the United States at 23.
Her early culinary career included working as a chef in various restaurants in Chicago and Washington, D.C., and a six-month stint as a rotating chef at Le Ciel in Vienna, Austria. During Bill Clinton’s administration, Executive Chef Walter Scheib III hired her as an assistant chef. In 2005, after preparing an important state dinner for Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, she was personally selected by First Lady Laura Bush to become the White House executive chef. She quickly became known for her creativity, mastery of international cuisines, and ability to craft menus reflecting tradition and innovation.
Comerford made history as the first woman, the first person of Asian descent, and the first person of color to serve as the White House executive chef. She was also the first chef promoted to the role from within the White House kitchen. Over the years, she worked with multiple administrations, adapting menus to fit the preferences and cultural traditions of different First Families.
As the personal chef to a head of state, Comerford was a member of Le Club des Chefs des Chefs, an exclusive international culinary association. She dedicated 30 years to her craft before retiring from the White House in July 2024.
Others we are celebrating in honor of Women’s History Month:
2025
Marlene Dietrich, renowned entertainer and activist
Indra Nooyi, Forbes list business executive and trailblazer
Azar Nafisi, critically acclaimed author and English Literature Professor
2024
Cecelia Payne-Gaposchkin, astronomer, educator, and trailblazer
Mother Cabrini, canonized Catholic sister and the patron saint of immigrants
Elisabeth Kübler-Ross, Psychiatrist and trailblazer for the acceptance of palliative care
Hinke Boot, former 20-year IIB Executive Director and advocate for New Americans
2023
Gloria Estefan, award-winning singer
Iman, supermodel and human rights activist
Isabel Allende, international best-selling author
Madeleine Albright, 64th U.S. Secretary of State, first woman to hold position
Martina Navratilova, tennis superstar and civil rights advocate
Mila Kunis, award-winning actress and humanitarian
Lidia Bastianich, Emmy award-winning celebrity chef
Hedy Lamarr, Hollywood “Golden Age” actress and modern tech luminary