Sam Kass, Chef Will Follow Obamas To The White House

Sam Kass, the Obamas' personal chef from Chicago, will continue his culinary services for the First Family in the White House. However, Kass will not fill this role exclusively and will work alongside former-President Bush's chef Cristeta Comerford, presumably begging the question of whether there could be "too many cooks in the kitchen." But as the New York Times reported today, there won't likely be any Iron Chef-style drama:

A spokeswoman for Michelle Obama, Katie McCormick Lelyveld, said Mr. Kass will not be the only cook preparing the family's meals, but "he knows what they like and he happens to have a particular interest in healthy food and local food." He will work alongside the White House executive chef, Cristeta Comerford, who was promoted to that job by the Bushes and is being kept on in that role by the Obamas.

...

Mr. Kass's appointment signals changes at the White House that should please chefs like Alice Waters, who have lobbied the Obamas to set an example for the rest of the country by emphasizing food that is healthy, local and sustainable. It further suggests that a vegetable garden on the White House grounds, another of Ms. Waters' dreams, could be on the horizon.

Like many of Obama's appointments and decisions thus far, Kass carries a degree of symbolic weight that meshes well with the approach of the new administration: pragmatic change.

Chicagoist has compiled a nice background for the Obamas' favorite cook here. Here's an excerpt:

Kass graduated from the University of Chicago before studying in the kitchen of a Michelin-starred restaurant in Europe. He then went to work for Avec (according to the New York Times) or Blackbird (according to Time Out Chicago). He has been serving as executive chef for the Jane Addams Hull House in an effort to re-invent the soup kitchen by using quality produce and shunning empty calories. He founded Inevitable Table, a private chef service that prepares meals with the following in mind:

We aim to promote a healthy lifestyle that focuses on the quality and flavor of food to encourage good eating habits. This philosophy provides consistency and balance to ensure you thoroughly enjoy your food experience. We believe that people have a stake in each other's health. This link is what binds us together as families, communities and a nation. Nowhere are we more powerfully bound together than in the daily cultivation and preparation of food.

Comments

[SonnyListon]

Pragmatic change? right, because it makes so much sense to employ and pay the salary of two personal chefs in stead of just one. Oh the Obama's are just like the rest of us!

[goodtomeetyou]

The White House has multiple kitchens and four chefs that work under the executive chef. Mr. Kass will be filling an open position.

[obama rama]

OMG! I graduated high school with Sam ('98!!!) and it is awesome and KUH-RAZY to read about his success. Back in school he was a total sports jock with ambitions of being a pro baseball player. I NEVER would have imagined him as a chef, but I am INTENSELY proud (and jealous lol) of him just the same. Make U-High class of '98 proud Sam!

[PlayTOE]

We can expect some very well attended luncheons at the white house. There will be a lot of state dinners to cater.

(presumably) .. After former-President Bush's chef Cristeta Comerford, served the Republicans just cookies and soda, a feast that resulted in zero votes on their next bill ... the President decided it was time for a change up ...

[Adrienne Williams - Huffpost Blogger]

I don't know about this? I say stick with what you know..... I smell a fight coming! LOL

[Buddhabman]

I love Huffpost again, the wingnuts are back. Looks like some of the wounds have healed from the A$$-Whuping in November. I had come to miss their out of context, hypocrite, lack of facts - taste comments. Its almost refreshing to read the normal Repuke chatter of demeaning the Obamas, Democrats and Liberal Progressive ideas. Welcome back trolls. Enjoy how a real First Family lives.

[mamacat]

There is one thing about this family that I am not crazy about. They get a personal chef (more than one!), and I don't. The thought of having someone, or a crew, making whatever I want, whenever I want it, is almost unbearable.
I'm not saying that they don't deserve it or need it, only that I want one too!

[Lotus19]

LMAO

[Spitfire67]

OMG, I can't believe the lying. The Obamas said they wouldn't get rid of Cristeta Comerford, but it sounds like that's what they're doing.

Nice.

Ms. Comerford is very used to preparing healthy meals made from organic foods, because that's what she cooked for Gov. & Mrs. Bush.

I understand that most people here will refuse to believe it, but the Gov. & Mrs. Bush were into organic foods and clean eating. I'm sure most people here will refuse to believe it, but there was a time when the MSM were incredibly critical of Gov. Bush for working out every morning.

I know most people here thing that the OGreat Obama is the only busy man who finds time to take care of himself, but it's just not true.

[Principaldad]

I will try to resist the urge to tell you what I think of your post.

I will merely inform you that Comerford isn't going anywhere and that this is clearly stated in the story. Comerford is still the executive chef (that means she is still the main chef). Kass is merely filling an empty position. There are actually multiple chefs on staff at the White House (as there always are). You might want to read things a little more carefully.

[skippyB]

Ms. Comerford will still cook for 1,000 as she was trained to do.

[Carol Felsenthal - Huffpost Blogger]

I wrote a long profile of Michelle Obama, the cover story of the February issue of Chicago magazine.
You can read it at:
http://www.chicagomag.com/Chicago-Magazine/February-2009/The-Making-of-a-First-Lady/

The way that i understood the sam kass, personal chef business is that kass had a business in which he made dinners in peoples' homes--sort of like a private caterer might do--but he was not a full time employee; They did have a full-time housekeeper. In other words, as I understand it, he did not work exclusively for the Obamas.

[myub40]

Nice story Carol....I enjoyed reading the piece....gives clear picture of our first family....they are just like you and I. Sometime we tend to forget that we are all the beneath it all - we are all the same people......again thanks for writing Carol.

[Adrienne Williams - Huffpost Blogger]

Perhaps they will call him for more smaller gatherings, say the Superbowl! :-)

[Toohey]

The headline is misleading. Clearly Mrs. O wants to start eating healthy...but look at her onion and her hips...she has not been eating healthy until now. As for the ko-ol-ai-d comments about how alturistic Mrs. O. is....how come no one has ever explained how her salary went from 100K to almost 400K in the same job a few weeks after Obama became a senator? as for finances, it is well documented that both Mrs. O and President O. had massive student loans which they didn't finish paying until he wrote his second book. They had (and should still have if everything is kosher) a huge mortgage on the house in Chicago (even though the mortgage doesn't reflect the value of the house (which is much more) thanks to Tony Rezko's 'contribution'). Come on guys, take off the sunnies.

[2008FedUP]

Rush, I knew u liked HuffPost. By the way, real men love dat onion women possess!!

[Spitfire67]

Psst, they don't like it when you point out the obvious.

[CitizenKane16]

Hey, you and Toohey need to hurry back to Redstate - they're missing you loads!

[Horus]

I agree with CK16, we don't question the administration here. Get on outta here boy! Or we'll rendition your butt halfway to A-rabia!

[IR55]

According to her bio, current White House chef, Cristeta Comerford is the first female and first Filipino executive chef at the White House. Born in Manila, Philippines, Cristeta Comerford became the first female and Filipino White House Executive Chef in August of 2005. Her many responsibilities include designing and executing menus for state dinners, social events, holiday functions, receptions and official luncheons. Trained in French classical techniques and specializing in ethnic and American cuisine, she has worked as an Assistant Chef in the White House kitchen since 1995. She has helped develop inventive menus that showcased American foods and wines for special White House events. Ms. Comerford received her bachelor's degree in Food Technology from the University of the Philippines and gained culinary experience serving as Chef Tournant at Le Ciel in Vienna, Austria; Chef at Le Grande Bistro at The Westin Hotel in Washington, D.C.; and Chef at The Colonnade at the ANA Hotel in Washington, D.C., where she implemented the "Culinary Arts Gallery" which showcased the best of American fine cuisine. Ms. Comerford melds training received from institutions such as The Education Institute, American Hotel and Motel Association with experiences with some of the nation's most innovative chefs in the California wine country and San Francisco restaurants to produce original dishes with American flavor.

I find it hard to believe she couldn't manage to put a meal on the table for the Obamas.

[Principaldad]

Correct me if I am wrong, but I would think that the White House kitchen would serve the employee cafeteria as well as the executive residence. There are hundreds of full time employees in the White House. There are also numerous meetings held that include visitors. All of these people need to eat. Add to that all of the state dinners, meals for visiting dignitaries, and other official functions.

I think 4 chefs isn't totally out of line.

[Spitfire67]

Gov. & Mrs. Bush also ate organic meals prepared by Ms. Comerford.

The Obamas didn't invent healthy living or eating.

[JoanneToole]

and theBush's also had more than one chef. The head chef is still the head chef.

[skippyB]

Ms. Comerford melds training received from institutions such as The Education Institute, American Hotel and Motel Association with experiences with some of the nation's most innovative chefs in the California wine country and San Francisco restaurants to produce original dishes with American flavor.

American Hotel and Motel Association says VOLUMES. Sterno.

[chulanow]

They must be making this up.......we never head Obama had a personal chef until now.

He told us himself he could barely afford to pay for his school loans......so there is no way he was hiding a personal chef......why would they need one, when Michelle is the MOM in Chief who is just like the rest of America who cook their own meals every day?

Who's lying the Obamas or the Media?

[spartanmom]

"could" indicates the past tense.
Beyond that your post is too silly for comment

[Archivist1000]

chunalow???? ever consider taking a remedial reading class ??? It would cover 'comprehension' as well as Run Spot Run

[zest]

Different from the Kennedys and the Reagans, huh?

[anghiari]

I think this is a guy who had a business that prepares dinners and brings them to your house and puts them in the refrigerater for use all week. I also suspect the Obama's probably used him if they gave dinner parties. I don't think he was a guy who worked in their private home on a daily basis. But one who was on call if they needed someone for special events.

There are loads of businesses like this for busy working parents, who want to eat well, but don't have the time or perhaps even the inclination to cook. So they contract with the company to prepare their meals weekly or monthly. The company has a wide ranging menu and families simply select a weekly, monthly menu and the food is delivered for those periods of time.

[tressie22]

A White House organic garden would be WONDERFUL! You know, food doesn't have to come from a bucket at the supermarket. LOL We could all stand to learn how to be self-sufficient in this area. It would be a wonderful precedent.

[spartanmom]

I am a long time organic gardener and I heartily second your opinion. I'll come and weed!

This is a favorite link and could be useful to anyone interested in growing some of your own food

http://www.tumbledownfarm.com/drupal/

[skippyB]

Fresh Basil. Washington DC tomatoes! Cherries!!!!

[solarian]

must be nice to have your own cook. been coking since I was 16 now 50+ only time someone cooks for
me is when I go out doesn't happen to often because I can cook better than I can buy when you president you should be able to eat the way you want

[jimrs6]

There's no way the 2 chef situation lasts. Get the reality TV cameras in that kitchen ASAP.

[CitizenKane16]

There has ALWAYS been more than 2 chefs.

[suec03]

Please! Ms. Comerford is the Executive Chef (the boss). She can't be there 24/7. She does need some time off each week. It makes sense that she has a staff that can cover the rest of the hours of the week.