If you're ever lucky enough to be invited to a black-tie, four-course dinner at the White
House, there are at least a few foods that are guaranteed not to make the menu. Flambés are
banned, after a woman leaning over her dessert caused her fox-fur scarf to catch fire in 2001. Foods that smell
very strongly and might be offensive to some guests, like pungent fish or garlic-heavy dishes, are kept at a distance.
Gravies and sauces are kept to a minimum as well to decrease the likelihood of drips ruining formal attire.
The White House kitchen staff accommodates guests with food preferences and food allergies, altering menus that they plan with the first lady in accordance with the requests of guests, as specified on their RSVP cards. They report that only 1-2% of attendees will make such a request, and often these are due to allergies. The menus are planned with the religious or dietary preferences of most of the attending guests in mind, though. Some former chefs report that they tried to tailor the menu so that people with specific dietary requirements were not singled out, instead serving everyone the same dessert, perhaps flourless chocolate cakes to accommodate gluten intolerant diners.
While the White House is not a restaurant where people can order as they please, it is interesting to note the lengths to which they go to best serve the presidential diners. In some cases, it might be more sensible for guests not to wear anything that might dangle into their food, like fox-fur scarves, for example, but it is much easier for the chefs to avoid certain foods than to police the attire of guests.
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