8 Things I Learned from Cristeta Comerford

I got a chance to attend the exclusive talk of Cristeta Comerford for Asia Society members. This was a day after she received her BPInoy award for excellence in Culinary Arts.

Who is Cristeta Comerford?

She was the first woman and Asian Executive Chef from a minority in the White House.
She was an Executive Sous Chef in 1995 during the Clinton administration.
She got promoted 10 years after to Executive Chef on August 15, 2005 during the Bush administration.
She was a food technology graduate of the University of the Philippines.
She migrated to the United States with her family in the 1980s.
She is proud to be a Filipino with her roots from Bulacan and Batangas -- even after 25+ years in the US.
She is married to John, who is also a Chef.

 

8 Things I Learned from Cristeta Comerford 

1. Your success is truly reflected on your child's success. 
Cristeta's 8-year old daughter, Danielle, can now prepare a 4-course meal at such a young age. You'll know if a person is successful based on how that person raises his/her kids.

2. Focus on what's in front of you. Never Miss an Opportunity! Carpe Diem. Cliche but True.
There were 450 applications for the Executive Chef position. It was shortlisted to 10 and then to 3 finalists. The final screening process was for the finalists to prepare a tasting menu. 

Cristeta was already an executive sous chef in the White House at that time, and she was one of the 3 finalists. The sous chef is the one who does all the dirty work and execution in the kitchen, so she was tasked to help the other two finalists prepare their tasting menu. They were her competitors but she had to ensure that they had all the things needed to become successful.

To make matters worse, Comerford had to prepare for a State Dinner right before the final screening, so she did not have much time to prepare for her own tasting menu for the finals.

Little did she know that the state dinner was her tasting menu and it was a test to see how she performed well under pressure.

3. Never Underestimate the Power of a Pinoy Breakfast.
The most requested Filipino food at Cristeta's home is the Pinoy Breakfast -- Tapa, Tocino, etc..  Let's be proud of our love for Tapsilog!

4. The name of the game is Efficiency.
The White House kitchen only has 7 full-time staff and it is half the size of the smallest conference room in Makati Shangri-La. With this kitchen, they can prepare a meal for two or for a State Dinner for 100+ people or for a Congress picnic for 1,000+ people. They would reinforce the kitchen with additional staff, if needed.

5. Leverage Fear.
After her Executive Chef announcement in 2005, she was faced with the word FEAR and left with the question, "Now, what?" Instead of being afraid, she used it to further fuel her passion -- and now she continues to be the Executive Chef of the Obamas.

6. Never choose Career over Family.
When she got promoted to the Executive Chef position, her husband John (who was also an executive chef) decided to step back in his career. She mentioned that there are a lot of Pinoy chefs in the US who are very talented and career-driven, but sadly they would sacrifice time with their family.

7. The Difference between a Personal Chef vs. a Chef in a Restaurant
A personal chef is someone who cooks based on the likes or dislikes of his/her audience. A chef in a restaurant, on the other hand, would specialize in a particular cuisine or style of cooking. Cristeta is the personal chef of the First Family, so she cooks based on what the Obamas would like to have (which would often be simple meals). She confessed that she would put touches of Filipino food in some of the meals.

8. Go back to your roots!
She was determined to go back to Manila to receive the BPInoy award despite the rigorous White House clearance she would need. She inspired a lot of people in the room that night -- distinguished chefs, food writers, and foodies. Proud to be Pinoy!

Live an Awesome Life,  

 

Text and Photos by Anton Diaz. Copyright 2009. 
blog: www.OurAwesomePlanet.com
mobile: +63917-LOVEOAP (5683627) 
email: anton@diaz.ph

Kaya Ng Pinoy

Congratulations to Manny Pacquiao for beating Oscar de la Hoya! Also, Congratulations to Art Valdez for the launch of his Mt. Everest Book entitled "Live the Dream! The Saga of the Philippine Mount Everest Expedition Team Book "

This Everest Book should be in every Filipino household to inspire the next generation of Young Filipinos that nothing is impossible for us, Filipinos! The Everest book sells for P2,000. Please email me if you want to buy a copy.

It was very inspiring to meet the people the Philippine Mount Everest Team!

Art Valdez also announced his latest project of building the legendary Balangay to sail around the Philippines in 2009! I will do a separate blog post about the "Voyage of the Balangay" project.

On a personal note, my wife and I have finally survived all the white water rafting adventures in Cagayan de Oro, Davao, Tuguegarao, and Kalinga! We survived two Class 4 white water in Kalinga! Thanks to Anton Carag for an awesome weekend!

Text and Photos by Anton Diaz. Copyright 2008.

Blog: www.OurAwesomePlanet.com
Mobile: +63917-LOVEOAP (5683627)
Email: anton@diaz.ph

Charice, We are Proud of You!

Charice Pempengco, David Foster, Celine Dion, and Andrea Bocelli in the Oprah Show. I'm so proud to be a Filipino watching this special Oprah show featuring Charice. Congratulations!

Wig Tysmans - 10 Secrets in Capturing the Money Shot

I learned a lot of practical travel photography stuff from Wigg Tysmans. Although his expertise is portraiture and commercial photography, he is a master of what he calls as "The Money Shot". I'm sharing with you the secrets that I learned so that you can improve your own photography and take your own "money shot".

1. The best way to take panoramic shot using your DSLR is to take panning vertical shots. It is easy to stitch vertical shots of the panoramic scene instead of horizontal shots to avoid the vignetting due to the lens.



2. The pictures that you take is a reflection of who you are. Very philosophical but true. Don't attempt to copy the works of others because you will only be dismayed with the result. Take photos of things that you love and are passionate about.



3. The best shot is always taken from an elevation. This is a confirmation of what I also learned from Master George Tapan. Always be ready with a stairs. You can call or inquire from the resort / place to check if they have one.

4. The Magical Hour. The best shots during sunset is taken during the magical hour -- 30-45 minutes after the sun sets in the horizon. Always wait for this magical hour and be ready because the lighting conditions change very fast.



5. Take the shot, have fun and go back for the right lighting condition. This is the right practical approach to travel photography. You need to enjoy and take the shot even when it is not the perfect lighting condition. You don't know when you will be back in that place again. If you have the chance to go back during the right lighting conditions, then make every effort to do so.

6. The Concept of the Money Shot. "The Money Shot" is the photo that has a lot of commercial potential. You always have to be ready to take the money shot. These shots can only be taken at a unique point of time with the unique kind of lighting and circumstances. Some calls this the chamba shot but for a photographer who is ready, then you are just waiting for the perfect moment.

7. Photographic Balance. The best application of a vertical shot is when there is something happening on the upper half of the photograph and the lower half. Don't take a vertical shot for the sake of having a vertical shot with an empty upper half or lower half. When violating a rule of 3rds and taking a center shot, make sure that there is something happening on the left and right side of the subject. Square shots are perfect because you can place the subject in any location.



8. Portrait Moments. Always look for the perfect portrait moments when you travel. These moments could be priceless and it will never happen again. How I wish I could take a portrait shot of our family with zebras and giraffes in the background. Or having the Kayangan Lake as the perfect backdrop for your portrait.



9. Always Think Out-Of-The-Box. You can use different creative elements when you travel -- macro shots, reflection of image in the water, and play with shadows,



10. Don't intimidate your subjects. Take portraiture shots of people you meet when you travel. Talk to them to put them at ease and learn the art of quickly building rapport with your subjects.

Text and Photos by Anton Diaz. Copyright 2008.