While President-Elect Obama may be enjoy the folksy bonhomie of wolfing down a chili halfsmoke with cheese at Ben's Chili Bowl, there's no chance those line cooks will be working the White House grills. Recent speculation ran wild as to who would chef it up for the Obamas. Would it be Obama's favorite chef Rick Bayless, the drawing power behind Chicago's Topolobampo and Frontera Grill? And what about the infamous Alice Waters of Chez Panisse who offered to be head of Obama's "kitchen cabinet"? Well, the answer is actually none of the above.

As per White House policy, chefs may come and go, but a new administration does not mean a new chef. Bush White House chef Cristeta Comerford, the first female white House chef ever, was hired by first lady Laura Bush in 2005 and will now cook for the Obama clan. "The decision was anticlimactic, if not disappointing, reports the Washington Post. "[S]ome food lovers had cast Barack Obama as the next American food hero. While George W. Bush is renowned for his love of cheeseburgers, Obama understands the pain of high-priced arugula at Whole Foods. He not only favored Bayless's restaurants, but he also was a regular at upscale Spiaggia and South Side institution Dixie Kitchen and Bait Shop, famous for its corn cakes. Here was a man who could bring organic and sustainable food to the political table." But no. There will be no loud splash. In fact, traditionally, the White House chef needs three qualifications: to be an accomplished cook, have no ego, and be discreet -- rare in the world of celebrity chefs. In other words, perfect for no-drama Obama.