Fast Chat: Home Cooking

Newsweek, April, 2006 by Richard Wolffe

Cris Comerford is the first woman to become executive chef at the White House since the Kennedys turned the job into a high-profile statement of personal style. She's also the first Filipino-American to hold the position, becoming a star in Manila and introducing, ever so gently, some new ethnic flavors to the Executive Mansion. Having worked in the White House for 11 years, Comerford is no stranger to the huge range of orders placed on the modest kitchen close to the North Portico--from a light lunch for the First Family to rare state dinners for world leaders, and the more frequent themed events like last week's celebration of Benjamin Franklin's 300th birthday. She spoke with Richard Wolffe.

WOLFFE: You got your start at the White House as temporary help. What was it...