Her Lola’s Legacy -- Chef Cris Comerford’s Secret Sauce
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Dr. Cristeta Comerford with UP President Danilo L. Concepcion, UP Board of Regents, Mr. John Comerford (Dr. Comerford’s husband) and Opel Pasia Aguila (sister)
Comerford addressed dignitaries, past university presidents, regents, faculty, and students in early November, attributing her success to her roots in the Philippines. She was being conferred an honorary degree by the University of the Philippines (UP) or the honor she was bringing the country and the university in her position as top chef of the White House.
Comerford received the degree of Doctor of Humane Letters, honoris causa, at the Bahay ng Alumni at UP Diliman. She took subjects toward Bachelor of Science in Food Technology at the College of Home Economics at the state university.
She has been the top chef at the White House since the term of President George W. Bush. Recognizing her remarkable talent, creativity, and experience, first lady Laura Bush appointed her in August 2005. Her leadership qualities continued to be recognized by the US presidents following President Bush --- President Bill Clinton (whom she served as assistant chef), President Barack Obama, and President Donald Trump.
Comerford, White House Executive Chef since President George W. Bush’s term.
Comerford in 2014 received the Presidential Pamanang Pilipino Award for people who "have brought the country honor and recognition through excellence and distinction in the pursuit of their work or profession.”
In her position as WH Executive Chef, Comerford plans state and formal dinners and holiday parties hosted by the First Family, feeding presidents, heads of states, royalty and celebrities. It’s culinary diplomacy to connect Americans, countries, and cultures. The White House showcases the best of American food and, in many special events, incorporates cuisines from other nations.
The state dinner is the highest and most formal entertaining the United States hosts in honor of a foreign head of state. Comerford, along with the first lady and White House staff, devotes at least three months of planning, research, and mapping logistics for these special diplomatic events.
Her talent and mastery show in all the work that does, and that is why she has received so many accolades not just from the first family and their guests, but also from her peers in the culinary world.
“Her passion for cooking can be tasted in every bite of her delicious creation,” first lady Laura Bush said.
First lady Michelle Obama echoed the compliment: ““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.”
As the United States’ top chef, Comerford represents America in Le Club des Chefs des Chefs, the world’s most exclusive gastronomic society, consisting of chefs of heads of states. The society promotes major culinary traditions and protects the origins of national cuisines develops friendship and cooperation among its members.
Comerford has earned numerous prestigious awards. She was a recipient of the coveted Patrick O’Connell’s Culinary Pioneer Award, the diplome d'honneur for Lyonnaise Cuisine, the 2007 Readers Digest 100 Most Influential Americans, March of Dimes Chef of the Year Award, Washington Post’s Top Ten Women Who Broke the Glass Ceiling along with Marie Curie and Justice Sandra Day O’Connor, and La Commanderie des Cordons Bleus de France.
Every December Cris Comerford and family go to Bulacan and Batangas for their charitable mission
In 2010, she won the special Food Network’s Iron Chef Competition. Along with “Iron Chef” Bobby Flay, Comerford won the cooking contest that kicked off the show's new season. They competed against celebrity chefs Emeril Lagasse and Mario Batali.
Sonia Delen
Sonia Delen is president of the University of the Philippines Alumni Association of San Francisco; and is a Senior Vice President at Bank of America - Global Leasing. In 2018, then California Governor Jerry Brown appointed Sonia as a non-lawyer, public member to the Board of Trustees of The State Bar of California, the regulatory, disciplinary and admissions agency of the Supreme Court of California. Sonia is a community leader in the San Francisco Bay Area, and lives with her husband Christopher Fitzsimmons in San Francisco; they have 3 children David, Justin and Matthew.