On Thursday evening, the grand halls of the White House will once again come alive with the vibrant spirit of diplomacy and celebration. President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden are set to host a state dinner in honor of Kenya’s President William Ruto and First Lady Rachel Ruto. While the evening will undoubtedly be marked by profound political conversations and cultural exchanges, the spotlight will also shine brightly on two exceptional women. The culinary mastery behind this state dinner will be Cris Comerford, White House Executive Chef, and Susie Morrison, the Executive Pastry Chef—a dynamic female chef duo of the White House.

Cris Comerford

Comerford, a naturalized U.S. citizen and Filipino native, is the first woman and first person of Asian origin to hold the post at White House. She sharpened her culinary skills while working at hotels in Chicago and restaurants in Washington before the White House brought her on in 1995 as an assistant chef and rising to her current position.

Susie Morrison

Susie Morrison was named White House Executive Pastry Chef in 2012, becoming the seventh person and the first woman to serve in this role. According to White House records, Morrison is responsible for the day-to-day operation of the pastry kitchen, overseeing the creation and execution of dessert menus for all social events, including receptions, luncheons, and state dinners.

At the media preview this week for the upcoming state dinner, Comerford explained that the diets of the Bidens, the visiting dignitaries, and other guests are carefully considered in the preparations. “When we formulate and create the state dinner menu, we take into consideration all the principals and most of our guests,” she said. “We also consider the season because it’s the perfect time for some beautiful bounties, especially with spring coming up. We have all the morels, mushrooms, and Susie’s cherries and other delightful ingredients she’s prepared.”

Together, Comerford and Morrison will create a dining experience that is not just a feast for the palate but also a celebration of their remarkable contributions to the culinary world. This evening promises to be a harmonious blend of flavors and diplomacy, highlighting the importance of cultural connections and the extraordinary talents of women in the culinary arts.

(Images courtesy)