The Greek chef in the kitchen of the White House

Please, share a few things about yourself with us. Where did you go to school, where did you study and what is your current occupation?

I grew up at the district of Ampelokipi of Halandri and Amarousion. I studied the art of cooking at OTEK of Anavissos and I currently cook 24/7, as you may already know.

How did you make the decision to get involved in cooking? Did your mother and grandmother motivate you?

At the beginning, my grandmother was my mentor. It all started one evening, when I was 12 years old and had to cook for the family, because they were all exhausted after working long hours in the family bakery. I returned back home that evening and cooked for everybody. I recall that I couldn’t eat that food myself, but during cooking, I first felt an intense passion for the idea. I felt I had to get everything ready on time, burning my hand with hot oil. It’s very easy to get hooked, as you may understand.

Did it take a lot of hard effort to reach the point you are at today? The road to accomplishment is hard, especially in your profession, I suppose.

Everything needs time. I didn’t rush at any point of my career, because I had set high goals and high standards. That’s the reason why I still try to gain as much knowledge on cooking and human relationships as possible. Τhe second is quite crucial. If I have people supporting you around, the kitchen team working as one, as family, I have nothing to fear.

Bill Clinton and the White House, share your experiences with us. Many chefs would like to be in your position. Did you have the chance to enrich the menu with Greek details?

Cooking in the White House was one of the most interesting experiences of my career. It was one of my dreams that came true. After that you move on to experience new things, because in the cooking profession, progress is ongoing and you need to stay in the game. I work as the Assistant of White House’s Executive Chef in events and the menu is set by her.

What’s your impression about Michelle and Barack Obama?

The President and the First Lady are wonderful people. We have made our acquaintance, but due to their full schedule, we didn’t have the time to talk. But at first glance, they look both simple and sweet people.

What is your career’s top moment?

Many people will think I would mention the first time I crossed the doorstep of the White House. However, my career’s top moments are usually moments in the kitchen with all cooks in the action and the surprise coming from exchanging ideas. It’s fantastic and when it happens on a daily basis, it makes me feel lucky.

You and your family are currently based abroad. Do you miss Greece?

I miss Greece every second of the hour. I made a difficult decision to leave my homeland, but I had to pursue my cooking dream. After some time, you realize that what you had back in your country values the most and then you miss it all.

What is your future agenda?

Opening my own restaurant is one of my future plans, an original restaurant at the district of Manhattan and also getting my first Michelin star. I wake up and go to sleep with this thought. I want it like crazy. It’s the highest accomplishment in the world of cooking.

What are your memories from Greece? What images cross your mind when you think of your homeland?

The sea. The Greek sea is unique in the world. Moreover, my friends, I miss them a lot. Our sleepless nights, our walks, laughter, understanding. I consider myself to be very lucky that I was born Greek and I try to understand people and be fair. These are the principles that every Greek family teaches to its descendants.

I suppose that you are following the news on economy and society. Do you believe that we will witness any improvement soon?

I can’t understand where this situation is leading us to. The only thing I know for sure and I live it on a daily basis is that young people leave Greece and migrate to foreign countries, young scientists, doctors etc. It is sad for a country to miss its young population. They should soon take that into account seriously.

Is the possibility of coming back to Greece in your future agenda?

I sure want to come back to my homeland, but at an older age. I want to be honest and admit that I have more to gain on cooking from the United States in the near future. If you pursue the opportunities, you will be rewarded. However, because of my family and my youngest son, it will take a lot of time to plan a permanent relocation. But I don’t forget Greece for a second.

What does Greece mean to you?

Everything, I mean it. Greece means language, speech, thinking, democracy, knowledge. We own tools that other people don’t and we must use them to our own advantage.

What is your top question to Greeks?

Why are we supposed to fight over trivial issues and not get united to overcome hard times?

Achievements

The Greek chef in the kitchen of the White House

Chris Bisiotis works as a chef in the White House.

He started cooking at the early age of 12 and his grandmother was his mentor.

He had studied the art of cooking at OTEK of Anavissos for two years. However, he was already working for several hotels and restaurants in Athens.

At the age of 18, he decided to spread his wings and relocate to the international metropolis of restaurants, New York.

He worked next to renowned Michelin Stars chefs, like Tomas Keller in his restaurant Per se in Manhattan, Mina Newman in Edison Ballroom and in several Greek restaurants in the United States, like Avra and Kelari.

He later worked as chef de cuisine for Eataly restaurant, while coordinating all eight restaurants of Mario Batali with staff of 370 people.

In 2012, he started working for the White House.

“Cooking in the White House was one of the most interesting experiences of my career. It was one of my dreams that came true. After that you move on to experience new things, because in the cooking profession, progress is ongoing and you need to stay in the game. I work as the Assistant of White House’s Executive Chef in events and the menu is set by her”, Bisiotis stated in an interview with ellines.com

He has cooked for the Obama and Clinton families and also for several Hollywood stars, like Jennifer Lopez, Antonio Banderas, Patricia Field and Jessica Alba.

Read below Christos Bisiotis” interview at ellines.com

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