Culinary Diplomacy Project with Former White House Executive Chef Cristeta Comerford

In a special program marking the 250th anniversary of the United States, Monticello welcomes former White House Executive Chef Cristeta “Cris” Comerford for a dynamic conversation and culinary reimagining inspired by Thomas Jefferson’s table.

The Culinary Diplomacy Project at Monticello invites visitors to explore the power of food as a language of culture, creativity, and connection. Inspired by Thomas Jefferson’s legendary dinners which were renowned for their cuisine and conversation, this series shares how food has been - and continues to be - a bridge for cultural understanding and communication.

Drawing on her historic tenure cooking for five U.S. presidents, Chef Comerford will imagine what she might create for a Jefferson-era state dinner - blending global influences, seasonal ingredients, and the spirit of diplomacy that defined both her work and Jefferson’s. She will revisit and reinterpret Jefferson’s recipes, offering fresh perspectives on the tastes, techniques, and agricultural traditions of the early republic.

Central to the program is Monticello’s own garden, a living laboratory of Jefferson’s horticultural vision. Featuring produce grown on-site, the event highlights the enduring relevance of local, seasonal foodways and the ways in which gardens - and kitchens - can reflect broader cultural exchange.

As America approaches its 250th birthday, the Culinary Diplomacy Project connects past to present through the shared experience of food, inviting audiences to consider how what we grow, cook, and serve continues to shape national identity and international understanding.