Who is White House Executive Chef Cristeta Comerford?

Filipina-American chef to prepare elaborate meal for presidents Joe Biden and Emmanuel Macron

Cristeta Comerford was the White House assistant chef in 2002 and was quickly promoted to executive chef. Photo: George W Bush Presidential Library and Museum

Ms Comerford presents calotte of beef, which will be served to President Joe Biden and French President Emmanuel Macron at the White House. EPA

Ms Comerford shows off her butter-poached Maine lobster and other dishes during a preview of a White House state dinner. EPA

The White House menu features elaborate dishes including a creme fraiche ice cream. AFP

Ms Comerford will also present a trio of American cheeses in the red, white and blue-themed dinner at the White House. AFP

Ms Comerford, second right, with White House executive pastry chef Susie Morrison. AP

A trio of American cheeses and other dishes are displayed. AP

The White House state dinner will include a butter-poached Maine lobster. AP

US first lady Jill Biden is accompanied by Ms Comerford before the White House state dinner. AP

Ms Comerford, second left, works with staff in the Old Family Dining Room of the White House to plate a course in 2011. Photo: Official White House Photo / Pete Souza

Barack Obama fist-bumps executive pastry chef Susie Morrison after sampling pies with his wife Michelle Obama, ABC anchor Robin Roberts and Ms Comerford during an interview about Thanksgiving in the White House kitchen in 2014. Photo: Official White House Photo / Pete Souza

Ms Comerford, foreground, briefs staff on preparations for a state dinner honouring Mexico in 2010. Photo: Official White House Photo / Samantha Appleton

Michelle Obama, who was first lady at the time, laughs with Ms Comerford, right, as she gives a kitchen preview for a dinner at the White House in 2009. Reuters

Ms Obama is joined by Ms Comerford, right, and children of military families for a craft project during the 2012 holiday decorations press preview. Photo: Official White House Photo / Chuck Kennedy

Barack Obama, who was president at the time, and former German chancellor Angela Merkel tour the White House kitchen garden in 2014. Photo: Official White House Photo / Pete Souza

Ms Obama and Rachael Ray, back right, watch Ms Comerford and children preparing a meal in 2016. Photo: Official White House Photo / Amanda Lucidon

Ms Comerford and Laura Bush, the first lady at the time, discuss holiday food in the State Dining Room. Photo: National Archives

Ms Comerford in the kitchen with then-first lady Michelle Obama. Photo: Obama White House Archives

Ms Comerford hosts a media preview of an official dinner in honour of the Japanese prime minister, hosted by George W and Laura Bush. Photo: National Archives

The menu created by Ms Comerford for the prime minister of Japan. Photo: National Archives

Guillaume Gomez, Special Representative of the President of France for Gastronomy, gives the insignia of Officier du Merite Agricole to Ms Comerford in 2022. AFP

Ms Comerford, the first woman in charge of the White House kitchen, was inducted into France's Order of Agricultural Merit at the rank of officer. AFP

Ms Comerford holds dishes that will be served at Thursday evening's State Dinner. Reuters

Comerford and staff work in the Kitchen of the White House in 2009. Official White House Photo / Joyce N Boghosian

US President Joe Biden and French President Emmanuel Macron will dine on an elaborate feast at the White House on Thursday night.

On the menu will be butter-poached lobster, beef with shallot marmalade and an American cheese trio that will feature in the red, white and blue-themed state dinner.

Orange chiffon cake, roasted pears and creme fraiche ice cream will make up the dessert offerings.

Thursday's meal will be cooked by White House Executive Chef Cristeta Comerford.

Here are some things to know about the White House's Filipina-American culinary master who has served up countless plates to four presidents.

Life before her big role

Born in Manila in 1962, Ms Comerford studied food technology before immigrating to the US at age 23.

She began her career overseeing a salad bar at a hotel near Chicago's O'Hare International Airport and later went on to become a chef at Le Grande Bistro at the Westin Hotel, followed by the Collonade in Washington.

Ms Comerford first came to the White House in 1995 as an assistant chef during former president Bill Clinton's administration.

Former first lady Laura Bush, wife of George W Bush, selected Ms Comerford as the next executive chef when she and her husband entered the White House.

She remained as White House executive chef under former presidents Barack Obama and Donald Trump, and has continued in her role under Mr Biden.

What does a White House chef do?

Ms Comerford oversees five other chefs and other staff members in the White House kitchen.

She prepares a range of meals, from the president's snacks to elaborate state dinners, such as the one Mr Biden and Mr Macron will attend on Thursday night.

The White House modifies its menu for religious occasions to ensure food is properly prepared.

She does not use measurements while cooking, instead relying on taste and her kitchen experience.

Ms Comerford said she cooks for her audience's preferences, but said her mother's recipes continue to inspire her dishes.

A long lists of firsts

Ms Comerford's hire as White House executive chef was a historic one.

She was the first woman to be named to the role, the first person of Asian descent and first person of colour to hold the title.

She was also the first executive chef to be promoted from within the White House.