Chef Cristeta Comerford

Foodie's delight proudly presents Cristeta Comerford the Whitehouse Executive Chef since 2005, who has been featured on CNN's Talk Asia. For fifteen years she has been working her culinary artistry at this famous address, the first female Executive Chef in the Whitehouse of Filipino descent. During this time she has cooked for America's First Families, such as the Clinton, Bush and currently the Obama family.

In this episode, interviewed by Hala Gorani in the Whitehouse kitchen, the Sampaloc-born Ms. Comerford talked about her humble beginnings in the Philippines, thankfully her father noticed her talent in cooking and encouraged her to go to culinary school. In her early twenties she immigrated to the U.S., received her bacherlor's degree in food technology from the University of the Philippines, studied French cooking, worked in various restaurants and hotels before being recruited in the White House under the Clinton administration. Retained by the Obama's, Ms. Comerford is humbled by her position serving the First Family.

Her secret ingredient, using fresh vegestables grown from the organic vegetable garden on White House's south lawn.

Here's Cristeta Comerford's recipe for creamed spinach soup, one of Michelle Obama's  favorites:

No Cream Creamed Spinach
Serves 6

2 pounds baby spinach, washed and cleaned
2 tablespoons olive oil
4 shallots, minced
2 garlic cloves, minced
Salt and freshly ground pepper.

1. Blanch half a pound of spinach in salted, boiling water. Immediately, “shock” the blanched spinach in a bowl of iced water. Drain and squeeze out the excess water. Puree in a blender. Set aside.

2. In a large skillet, sweat the shallots and garlic until translucent. Add the rest of the spinach leaves. Toss and sauté until wilted. Fold in the spinach puree. Season with salt and pepper.

It doesn't sound that intricate, I will surely try this recipe and post photos. Do share your comments if you've tried this recipe as well...