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Gulf Today
03-07-2025
- Politics
- Gulf Today
Former White House chef reveals US presidents' favourite comfort foods
Cristeta Comerford, a longtime White House executive chef who recently retired after nearly three decades of preparing meals for five presidents and their guests, says first families are 'just regular people' when they're at home in the private living areas of the executive mansion. 'It's not what you see on the news,' she told The Associated Press in an interview. Preparing the first families' meals was among Comerford's many culinary responsibilities. Meals mostly would be prepared in the main kitchen, then finished off in the residence kitchen on the second floor. 'At the end of the day, when you do the family meals upstairs, they're just regular people at home. They just want a good meal. They want to sit down with their family,' she said. 'If they have children, they eat together. And just to see that on a daily basis, it's not what you see on the news. 'It's the other side of them that we get to see,' she said. Comerford, who hung up her apron and chef's toque in July 2024 after nearly 20 years as top chef and nearly three decades on the kitchen staff, is the longest-serving chef in White House history. Her tenure spanned the presidencies of Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, Barack Obama, Donald Trump and Joe Biden. Each of the five families she served approached food differently, Comerford said at a recent White House Historical Association symposium on food and drinks. She was asked whether she'd describe any of the presidents as 'real foodies.' Tables are decorated during a press preview at the White House in Washington, on April 9, 2024, for the State Dinner for Japan's Prime Minister Fumio Kishida. File/Associated Press The Clintons liked healthier meals, Comerford said. Then-first lady Hillary Clinton hired the first American executive chef, Walter Scheib, and had the kitchen avoid serving heavy sauces and creams. She said, 'I learned so much' about Southwestern cuisine from Bush, the former Texas governor who liked Tex-Mex food. 'We made thousands of tamales for Christmas,' she said of the popular Mexican meal of stuffed corn dough wrapped in a corn husk and steamed until cooked. Comerford got ideas from the vegetable garden Michelle Obama started when she was promoting healthy eating, primarily for children. 'We used the garden as kind of like our backbone for our menu development,' she said. Trump and first lady Melania Trump are 'very, very classic eaters,' she said. Mrs. Trump 'loved Italian food, so we tend to do the pastas, but light ones.' Comerford didn't comment on President Trump's food choices, but he is known to like a well-done steak served with ketchup and fast food. Jill Biden was the first Italian American first lady, and the kitchen did 'a lot of Italian food, as well, because she loved Italian food.' Overall, 'it's different for each family,' said Comerford, 'but my job as the chef is to execute their style, their likes and their preferences.' A black-tie state dinner is the highest diplomatic honour the US reserves for its close allies. Comerford presided over 54 of these opulent affairs, including for France and Australia during Trump's first term. Sometimes, guest chefs were brought in to help. State dinners give presidents the opportunity to bring together hundreds of guests from the worlds of government, politics and other industries for an evening in which the three-course meal, decor and entertainment are designed to help foster relations by dazzling the visiting foreign leader. The first lady's staff and the social secretary typically have about two months to pull one together. Comerford said her team started by researching the visiting leader's likes and dislikes, then she used the information to create a menu using the best of American food while incorporating nuances from the country being recognized. She'd develop at least three different menus. Then came tastings for the first lady to make a final decision. Comerford, 62, started her career tending a salad bar at a Chicago airport hotel before working as a chef at restaurants in Austria and Washington. Scheib, then the White House executive chef, hired her in 1994 for a temporary gig preparing a state dinner for Nelson Mandela, South Africa's newly elected president. Cristeta Comerford shows the main course during a preview in the State Dining Room of White House in Washington, on Sept. 24, 2015, for the state dinner of the visiting Chinese President Xi Jinping. File/Associated Press Scheib then hired her as an assistant chef in 1995, and she succeeded him a decade later, becoming the first woman and first person of color to permanently hold the executive chef's position. Comerford is a naturalized US citizen who was born in the Philippines. Her husband, John Comerford, is a chef, too, and she credits him with sacrificing his career to be present for their daughter so she could thrive in hers. Their daughter is a pastry chef. When Comerford retired, assistant chef Tommy Kurpradit, whose parents are from Thailand, was named interim executive chef. Melania Trump, who worked with Comerford in the first Trump administration, has not named a successor. Comerford said she managed everything with 'a lot of prayers,' often said during her hourlong, early morning drive into the White House, but also by being versatile, humble, able to handle chaos and having faith in herself and her team. 'One thing with cooking at the White House, you don't just do fine dining meals,' she said. 'You have to know how to cook eggs and breakfast. You have to know to cook a smashburger.' It also helps to remember that the job is about the family. 'There's no ego in it,' Comerford said. White House culinary history includes chefs from China, Japan, the Philippines, South Korea and Thailand, as far back as the 19th century, according to Adrian Miller and Deborah Chang, co-authors of a new book, 'Cooking to the President's Taste: Asian Heritage Chefs in White House History.' Most sharpened their skills through service in the US military. Before Comerford, Pedro Udo, a Filipino trained in the US military, was the first Asian heritage chef to run the White House kitchen after he was promoted from meat chef to head chef in June 1957, according to the book. He prepared meals for Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip later that year, and for Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev in September 1959 during the Cold War. But his stint ended after less than four years when the new first lady, Jacqueline Kennedy, hired acclaimed French chef René Verdon in early 1961. Miller said the book offers a 'unique window' on the presidency. 'We get a look at the presidents, but also the presidents got a look at Asian American life in maybe ways that they hadn't before,' he told the AP in an interview. 'And I think, you know, for the presidents that decided to open that window and find out more about the people who were providing, comforting them through amazing food, I think our nation is better for them.' Associated Press
Business Wire
02-07-2025
- Business
- Business Wire
Datavault AI Bridges Civic Memory and Digital Identity Across National Platforms
BEAVERTON, Ore.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Datavault AI Inc. (NASDAQ: DVLT), a leader in AI data experience, valuation and monetization, today announced continued expansion and commercial progress through key appointments and participation in high-profile industry events across key sectors including government, education, sports, and culture. Driving National Impact with White House Experience Advisory Council Datavault AI was recently appointed to the White House Experience Advisory Council, a group established by the White House Historical Association to modernize how the Executive Mansion shares and preserves American history. This appointment positions Datavault AI alongside key leaders engaged in preserving and sharing national heritage through innovative technology. At the Council's inaugural meeting in Washington, D.C., Datavault AI joined leaders across government, education, and technology alongside members of Congress, the Corporate Leaders Council, and institutional partners. The company was represented by CFO Brett Moyer and CMO Sonia Choi, reflecting its commitment to building strategic relationships that support long-term adoption of its digital identity and technologies. "The White House Experience Advisory Council helps ensure The People's House dynamically and comprehensively tells our nation's evolving story in a way that resonates with visitors," said Stewart McLaurin, President of the White House Historical Association. "We appreciate Datavault AI's collaboration in supporting cutting-edge technology to continue sharing the rich history of the Executive Mansion." 'As a company rooted in technology, we're proud to contribute cutting-edge AI infrastructure that enhances both access and preservation for generations to come. We're deeply humbled to be asked to contribute to something so fundamentally American,' said Sonia Choi, Chief Marketing officer of Datavault AI and White House Experience Advisory Founding Member representative. 'To be in the room where national memory is shaped is a responsibility we as an organization will strive to live up to.' Expanding VerifyU™ Applications in Sports and Preventative Health VerifyU™ is part of Datavault AI's expanding portfolio of proprietary, AI-integrated technologies that support identity ownership, digital licensing, and data monetization. The company's platform delivers advanced infrastructure solutions that span credentialing, NIL compliance, immersive acoustic delivery, and high-performance computing—enabling vertical expansion across sports, government, education, and healthcare. The company's recent activation at the 4th Annual Cowboys Gathering in Addison, Texas, hosted in partnership with LifeGenix Institution, showcased VerifyU™, Datavault AI's blockchain-powered credentialing solution that enables lifelong, tamper-proof academic and professional credentials. The exclusive, invitation-only event brought together Hall of Famers and Super Bowl champions including Drew Pearson, Darren Woodson, Tony Dorsett, Larry Brown, Jay Novacek, Leon Lett, Mark Stepnoski, and Nate Newton. 'It was a special event that reminded us just how strong the bond and lifelong friendship is that we all share as players,' said Larry Brown, Super Bowl XXX MVP. During the event, Datavault AI and LifeGenix Institute, a leader in preventative health, explored opportunities to integrate Datavault AI's digital twin and NIL technologies with LifeGenix's diagnostic imaging platform. The collaboration aims to explore the potential to create a unified system called the "Twinstitute" that combines diagnostics, credentialing, and digital identity into a single secure solution. 'Partnering with Datavault AI opens new doors,' said Michael Swayden, CEO of LifeGenix Institute. 'Together, we're exploring a 'Twinstitute' that combines diagnostics, credentialing, and digital identity into a single, secure system that empowers lifelong wellness and ownership.' 'From advising on national memory to helping athletes and institutions monetize identity and history, Datavault AI is building a trusted foundation for secure digital futures,' said Nathaniel Bradley, CEO of Datavault AI. Demonstrating Scalable AI Infrastructure at Major Industry Conferences This past weekend, Datavault AI and CompuSystems participated together at the American Library Association (ALA) Annual Conference in Philadelphia, which included upwards of 10,000 library professionals and over 650 exhibitors, as well as the Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA) International Conference in Boston, MA, which included over 300 exhibitors and more than 1,800 commercial property professionals with tremendous authority and buying power (Exhibit - BOMA 2025): 86% of attendees manage multiple buildings, and of that total, 56% manage more than 10 buildings each. 64% of attendees spend more than $1 million annually on building products and services. 96% of attendees are responsible for more than 100,000 square feet of commercial space - and 50 % are responsible for more than one million square feet. Of that 50%, 60% are responsible for at least twice that amount. Through these types of events, Datavault AI is furthering industry engagement and ongoing collaboration with a shared commitment to delivering innovative data-driven solutions to diverse industries. With momentum building across multiple sectors, Datavault AI is well-positioned to lead the convergence of data ownership, AI infrastructure, and digital credentialing. Through partnerships with government, health, education, and sports organizations, the company continues to open scalable, revenue-generating opportunities while reinforcing its role as a backbone of trusted digital innovation. About Datavault AI Inc. Datavault AI (Nasdaq: DVLT) is leading the way in AI experience, valuation and monetization of assets in the Web 3.0 environment. The company's cloud-based platform provides comprehensive solutions with a collaborative focus in its Acoustic Science and Data Science Divisions. Datavault AI's Acoustic Science Division features WiSA®, ADIO® and Sumerian® patented technologies and industry-first foundational spatial and multichannel wireless HD sound transmission technologies with IP covering audio timing, synchronization and multichannel interference cancellation. The Data Science Division leverages the power of Web 3.0 and high-performance computing to provide solutions for experiential data perception, valuation and secure monetization. Datavault AI's agentic platform serves multiple industries through patented DataValue®, DataScore® and Data Vault Bank®, including HPC software licensing for sports & entertainment, events & venues, biotech, education, fintech, real estate, healthcare, energy and more. The Information Data Exchange® (IDE) enables Digital Twins, licensing of name, image and likeness (NIL) by securely attaching physical, real-world objects to immutable metadata objects, fostering responsible AI with integrity. Datavault AI's technology suite is completely customizable and offers AI and Machine Learning (ML) automation, third-party integration, detailed analytics and data, marketing automation and advertising monitoring. The company is headquartered in Beaverton, OR. Learn more about Datavault AI at View published White House Historical Association press release by About the White House Historical Association First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy envisioned a restored White House that conveyed a sense of history through its decorative and fine arts. She sought to inspire Americans, especially children, to explore and engage with American history and its presidents. In 1961, the nonprofit, nonpartisan White House Historical Association was established to support her vision to preserve and share the Executive Mansion's legacy for generations to come. Supported entirely by private resources, the Association's mission is to assist in the preservation of the state and public rooms, fund acquisitions for the White House permanent collection, and educate the public on the history of the White House. Since its founding, the Association has given more than $115 million to the White House in fulfillment of its mission. About LifeGenix Institute At LifeGenix Institute, we believe that your health shouldn't be a guessing game. Whether it's early stage disease detection through advanced imaging, the revolutionary non-surgical back procedure or joint/injury pain relief, their mission is to provide direct access to cutting-edge care—without insurance barriers, unnecessary delays, or referrals. Their specialists are dedicated to ensuring you have everything you need to take charge of your health with confidence. For more information, visit: About LifeGenix | Our Approach to Preventive Health About The American Library Association The American Library Association (ALA) is the only non-partisan, nonprofit organization dedicated entirely to America's libraries and library professionals. For almost 150 years, ALA has provided resources to inspire library and information professionals to transform their communities through essential programs and services. The ALA serves academic, public, school, government, and special libraries, advocating for the profession and the library's role in enhancing learning and ensuring access to information for all. For more information, visit Forward Looking Statements Disclaimer This press release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, as amended, and other securities laws. Words such as "expect," "will," "anticipates," "continues" and variations of such words and similar future or conditional expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements, including statements herein regarding our business opportunities and prospects, strategy, future revenue expectations, licensing initiatives, patent initiatives as well as the successful implementation of the patented technologies, are necessarily based upon estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable by us and our management, are inherently uncertain. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. Actual results may differ materially from those indicated by these forward-looking statements as a result of various risks and uncertainties including, but not limited to, the following: our ability to successfully utilize all intellectual property that has been issued and granted Notices of Allowance; risks regarding our ability to utilize the assets we acquire to successfully grow our market share; risks regarding our ability to open up new revenue streams as a result of the various patents mentioned in this press release; our current liquidity position and the need to obtain additional financing to support ongoing operations; general market, economic and other conditions; our ability to continue as a going concern; our ability to maintain the listing of our common stock on Nasdaq; our ability to manage costs and execute on our operational and budget plans; our ability to achieve our financial goals; the degree to which our licensees implement our technologies into their products, if at all; the timeline to any such implementation; risks related to technology innovation and intellectual property, and other risks as more fully described in our filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. The information in this press release is provided only as of the date of this press release, and we undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statements contained in this communication based on new information, future events, or otherwise, except as required by law.
Epoch Times
14-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Epoch Times
Authors Tell the Unknown Stories of Asian Chefs in the White House
By Sono Motoyama Pittsburgh Post-Gazette 'Cooking to the President's Taste' (White House Historical Association, $45) was inspired by a fortuitous discovery.
Yahoo
10-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
NEW Episode: The White House 1600 Sessions Podcast "The Tradition of First Lady Forever Stamps: Barbara Bush"
White House Historical Association President Stewart McLaurin Celebrates First Lady Barbara Bush's Centennial Birthday with Grandson Pierce Bush, Artist Chas Fagan, and Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy President Andrew Roberts WASHINGTON, June 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The White House Historical Association released a new episode of The White House 1600 Sessions podcast today honoring First Lady Barbara Bush to commemorate what would have been her 100th birthday. The United States Postal Service celebrated this occasion by releasing the new Forever Stamp featuring Mrs. Bush's official White House portrait. The design was unveiled during a ceremony in the White House East Room last month, and the stamp goes on sale today. In the episode, Stewart is joined by Pierce Bush, grandson of President George H.W. Bush and Mrs. Bush, Chas Fagan, painter of Mrs. Bush's official White House portrait, and Andrew Roberts, president of the Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy, to explore Mrs. Bush's legacy and the significance of the stamp's special tribute. In these conversations, First Lady Barbara Bush is remembered for her strength, devotion to family, quick wit, and steadfast commitment to literacy. "Thousands of people will have increased their reading skills, maybe even learned to read, as a result of her initiative," said McLaurin. "She continues to be a role model." Pierce Bush, grandson to President George H.W. Bush and First Lady Barbara Bush, and CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters Lone Star, shares his earliest memories from when visiting his grandparents and uncle meant taking a trip to the White House with his cousins. He fondly remembers his grandmother's attention to their passion for reading, which continues to inspire him in his work. "She believed that knowledge is the key to advance yourself and make the world a better place," said Pierce Bush. "She practiced what she preached by doing it herself but also making sure that her kids and her grandkids had a love for reading—and thankfully, it has been passed on." Painter, sculptor, and White House artist Chas Fagan recounts the story of creating this iconic portrait that is set to appear on the new Forever Stamp today. He recalls visiting her in Kennebunkport, Maine, the location of the family's Walker Point Estate, instantly finding inspiration for his painting from her hospitality and disarming wit. The portrait, unveiled in 2005, still hangs in the East Wing of the White House today. "The absolute joy of this particular project was spending time with her," said Fagan. "That wonderful feeling of warmth and humor was very much part of her. I wanted to make sure that would be reflected." The portrait features Mrs. Bush's classic multi-pearl necklace and cheerful yet driven expression—traits she was always admired for as a strong matriarch and devoted advocate. McLaurin is joined by Andrew Roberts, president of the Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy, a nonprofit she established in 1989. The pair discuss Mrs. Bush's legacy and passion living on through its mission, changing lives of millions of Americans through philanthropy and community engagement. The foundation has provided over $130 million of grant funding to support reading and writing skills for all ages. "We have mentoring programs where we pair high school students with struggling early readers. That's not only helping early readers—that's providing leadership skills to those high school students," said Roberts. "I think the impact of her work really spans far beyond just numbers you can count." The White House 1600 Sessions podcast is available on Apple Podcasts and Spotify in both audio and video formats. The full video of this podcast episode is also available on the White House Historical Association's YouTube channel here. The White House 1600 Sessions The White House Historical Association's President Stewart McLaurin is the host of The White House 1600 Sessions, the Association's official audio and video podcast devoted to exploring the history, cultural impact, untold stories, and personal accounts of America's most iconic residence and highest office. About the White House Historical Association The White House Historical Association was founded in 1961 by First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy to support her vision to restore and preserve the Executive Mansion and its legacy for generations to come. Mrs. Kennedy sought to inspire Americans, especially children, to explore and engage with American history and its presidents. Supported entirely by private resources, the Association is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that has contributed more than $115 million to the White House in fulfillment of its mission. To learn more about the White House Historical Association, please visit | X | Instagram | X | Instagram View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE The White House Historical Association Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
This Fall: The White House Historical Association to Offer Official Ornament of America 250 celebration, marking Anniversary of America's Independence
Special Edition Ornament is also the Official 2026 White House Christmas Ornament, revealed earlier than ever before! WASHINGTON, May 19, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The White House Historical Association will offer the Official America 250 Ornament as part of a nationwide celebration marking the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. The Official America 250 Ornament will represent the White House's connection to America's independence and will be revealed and available for presale this fall. The Official America 250 Ornament will also serve as the Association's Official 2026 White House Christmas Ornament. America 250 is the national, nonpartisan organization charged by Congress to lead this once-in-a-lifetime commemoration. Its mission is to create the largest, most inspiring, and unifying commemoration in the nation's history, providing an opportunity for all Americans to come together and reflect on our shared heritage and future as a nation. This fall, the Official America 250 Ornament can be purchased alongside the Official 2025 White House Christmas Ornament which celebrates 150 years of White House State Dinners and social diplomacy. The Official America 250 Ornament will be made in America, and proceeds will further the Association's mission to promote a deeper understanding of the Executive Mansion — not just as the home of each president, but as a cornerstone of the American story. The Association's acquisitions, preservation, research, and education efforts continue through generous private donations and the sale of its published books, products, and the Official White House Christmas Ornament. This fall, the Official America 250 Ornament can be purchased online, in stores, and select locations where official licensed America 250 products are sold. This fall, purchase online at or at these Washington, D.C. retail locations: The People's House: A White House Experience, 1700 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, D.C. 20006 The White House Visitor Center, 1450 Pennsylvania Ave., NW, Washington, D.C. 20006 Mayflower Hotel Pop-Up Shop, 1127 Connecticut Ave., NW, Washington, D.C. 20036 For wholesale inquiries on how to become an official reseller of this ornament with exclusive discounts, please visit: For inquiries on how to utilize this ornament for fundraising with exclusive discounts, please visit: Global Icons is the exclusive licensing agency authorized to represent the official America250 trademarks, logos, and assets. All products and partners are reviewed and approved by to ensure alignment with the initiative's values and messaging. About The White Historical Association The White House Historical Association was founded in 1961 by First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy to support her vision to restore and preserve the Executive Mansion and its legacy for generations to come. Mrs. Kennedy sought to inspire Americans, especially children, to explore and engage with American history and its presidents. Supported entirely by private resources, the Association is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that has contributed more than $115 million to the White House in fulfillment of its mission. To learn more about the White House Historical Association, please visit View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE The White House Historical Association
