In April 1994, after an exhaustive search, Walter Scheib became the chef to America's chief executive and the First Family. For eleven years, he prepared meals as simple as family sit-down dinners and as elaborate as formal state dinners. His culinary creations satisfied the appetites of White House guests, including Nelson Mandela, Emperor Akihito , Jacques Chirac, Boris Yeltsin, Vaclav Havel, Lady Diana Spencer, Tony Blair, Vicente Fox and many other major heads of state.
Throughout his White House tenure, Scheib shared a unique vantage point from which to view living history. Today, he shares how he closely worked with two First Ladies, Hillary Clinton and Laura Bush, and assisted each in placing their own stamp on White House entertaining. He describes daily life in the White House - menu writing, market basket development, staff training and kitchen renovations.
Scheib also speaks with great pride about America's bounty. While serving as White House Executive Chef, he made it his mandate to showcase American food and wine. In doing so he was able to discover and promote artisan cheese makers, green grocers, mushroom foragers, master bread makers, fishermen, ranchers and farmers. "America is rich in amazing produce, meats and fish," Scheib says. "Using just a few excellent ingredients, anyone can make a perfect meal with very little formal training."
Food is Scheib's life-long passion. He discovered his mother's pots and pans early in life and soon felt comfortable preparing meals for parents and friends. By the time he graduated from high school, he was eager to pursue a profession in the culinary arts. He did so by attending the Culinary Institute of America, from which he graduated with high honors in 1979. Immediately thereafter, Scheib started as a Rounds Cook at a premier Washington, D.C. hotel. Within three years, he was promoted to Executive Chef. He has served as Executive Chef at other major hotels and resorts such as the five star Greenbrier Hotel and the Boca Raton Resort and Club.
First Lady Hillary Clinton discovered Scheib while he served as Executive chef at The Greenbrier. She was impressed with the comprehensive spa menu he had developed for the resort as well as his highlighting of American cuisine.
Today, Scheib shares his knowledge of the development of American cuisine at the White House, White House remembrances, America's harvest and practical business sense with audiences across the country. His educational entertaining sessions and demonstrations are filled with fascinating White House insider's anecdotes, culinary insights and techniques. Sessions frequently feature hands-on cooking demonstrations with audience participation and interaction.
Walter Scheib, former White House executive chef, is available through IMG Speakers bureau for speaking engagements. Walter Scheib is also available for celebrity appearances, corporate hospitality events, cooking demonstrations, meet and greets, and much more. Please contact IMG Speakers at 212-774-6735 or speakers@imgworld.com for more information on booking Walter Scheib.
