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What You Missed: A Field Trip to the White House Kitchen Garden

Summary: 
White House Executive Chef Cris Comerford took Maker Camp campers on a virtual field trip of the White House Kitchen Garden, and answered questions about what it’s like to cook for the First Family and for special guests of the White House.
White House Executive Chef Cris Comerford took Maker Camp campers on a virtual field trip of the White House Kitchen Garden

White House Executive Chef Cris Comerford joins Maker Camp campers for a virtual field trip of the White House Kitchen Garden.

Earlier today, White House Executive Chef Cris Comerford took Maker Camp campers on a virtual field trip of the White House Kitchen Garden, and answered questions about what it’s like to cook for the First Family and for special guests of the White House.

Campers from across the country chimed in and asked how Chef Comerford balances what fruits and vegetables are in season with the needs of the First Family, how the White House chefs prepare for large events such as state dinners, and finally about her path to becoming a “maker” at the White House. Comerford said that each morning she looks in the White House Garden to see what is ready to harvest and that she changes the menu based on what she can incorporate into upcoming meals. She also said that canning, jarring and pickling gives her flexibility to use fruits and vegetables in future meals.

Learn about the history of the White House Kitchen Garden:

Watch on YouTube

The White House Kitchen Garden was inspired by the First Lady's passion for healthy living and healthy eating. The garden not only serves as a resource for fresh food, but is also a teaching tool on sustainable growing and healthy eating for students and teachers who come to tour the garden during the growing season. Today’s Maker Camp field trip taught campers what it takes to make the White House Kitchen Garden grow, as well as how they can create their own garden at home, at school, or in their community.

Maker Camp is a free online summer camp for building, tinkering, and exploring online and in local neighborhoods. With Maker Camp, teen inventors and artists around the world can make awesome projects, participate in epic virtual field trips, and meet the world’s coolest makers.

In June, President Obama hosted the first-ever White House Maker Faire to celebrate America's students and entrepreneurs who are inventing the future with new technologies such as 3D printers, laser cutters, easy-to-use design software, and desktop machine tools. The event brought together more than 100 students, entrepreneurs, engineers, and researchers from 25 states ­all of whom love to "Make" stuff.

Watch today’s field trip to the White House Kitchen Garden:

Watch on YouTube


Learn more:

Watch President Obama¹s remarks at the first-ever White House Maker Faire
Watch a video about the White House Beehive