Obama's White House Chef: Rick Bayless Quashes Rumors (VIDEO)

Venerable Mexican chef and culinary icon Rick Bayless put the brakes on speculation that he is among the candidates to become White House chef under President Obama.

Bayless' restaurants Frontera Grill and Topolobampo are favorites of the Obamas, but the chef told CBS 2 that doesn't make him the right fit for the First Kitchen:

We cook this really wonderful Mexican food, I don't think that's what they want at every state dinner. Maybe every once in awhile we can be guest chefs at the White House.

Watch the report:

Comments

[ChefMikeCleve]

Mike Harrison from Cleveland should be the next White House Chef. He will want Rick Bayless and others to do guest chef stints. Mike has the proper talent and disposition to satisfy the family needs of the Obamas as well as prepare excellent State Dinners. He also makes a great organic dog food, the whole family will be happy

[BehindEnemyLinesinSC]

Obama should offer the job to Aaron "Big Daddy" McCargo -- the awesome chef who won "Next Food Network Star". He's a great cook, has institutional experience, and seems like a very nice guy to boot.

[BehindEnemyLinesinSC]

Just move his show to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue and change the name to "Big Daddy's WHITE House".

[mgayle]

Hey Rick, this is your long lost cousin Melanie in Alabama. I think it would be great if you could be a guest chef in the White House Kitchen. Good luck to you

[zest]

I'm a big fan of Rick Bayless. Maybe he could do a guest shot in the White House Kitchen.