Cristeta Comerford has been selected to be the executive chef at the White House, first lady Laura Bush's office announced.

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Comerford is the first woman to hold the post, which has been vacant since February. She will be responsible for designing menus for social events, such as state dinners, at the White House. She recently put together the menu for the official dinner to mark the Washington visit of Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

The first lady's office credited Comerford, 42, with developing "inventive menus that showcased American foods and wines ..."

Comerford has been an assistant chef in the White House kitchen since 1995. She received a bachelor's degree in Food Technology from the University of the Philippines and worked as chef tournant at Le Ciel in Vienna, Austria; chef at Le Grande Bistro at The Westin Hotel in Washington, and chef at The Colonnade at the ANA Hotel in Washington, where she implemented the "Culinary Arts Gallery" to showcase the best of American fine cuisine.