My main responsibility as the Executive Chef of the White House is taking care of the First

Family, foremost and all. Just their daily meals, and of course if they have any social

functions or state dinners or any kind of entertaining, we take care of everything in

the kitchen.

Definitely it’s high pressure, because first and foremost, it’s for the President of

the United States, so and also, of course, the visiting countries and the visiting Heads

of State because you want to respect their traditions, you want to respect their protocol

dietary restrictions. So there is a lot of things to learn.

We have harvested so much in that little garden, and in a span of 2 ½ years, there are 300 at

least pounds of produce that we have harvested throughout the years.

These are actual Italian eggplant that came from the garden. Eggplant is such a wonderful

staple. And then, what I did earlier is just grilled this until it is charred; and what

it does is, it’s easy to peel, but then at the same time it gives it a wonderful flavor.

I didn’t know that I wanted to be a chef growing up. It’s definitely not on my top

list. I wanted to be a scientist. I went to the University of the Philippines, I took

up food technology. But I think the more I worked with food and I always helped my mom

cook for a family of 11, it’s a huge family, so everyday it’s like a banquet in our house.

But not thinking that’s what I’m really gearing up for.

So when I was going to college, my dad actually asked me “Why don’t you go to Le Cordon Bleu?”

If you really make food yourself, you could control the taste, you could control the fat

that’s in there, you could control the salt, you could control the sugar. And at the end

of the day, it’s very rewarding because it’s your own hand that made it.

Be hands on, work really hard, and then really listen to your parents because they really

know you more than you think. So in my experience, like what my dad was saying; at the time I

just laughed at him. But actually he was very, very right, so listen to your parents and

help out your mom and dad cooking in the kitchen. That's all.

To learn more about the White House and take an interactive tour, visit WhiteHouse.gov.

For more information about other government careers, go to kids.gov.