"White House" news and stories

President Obama is hosting his third annual White House Seder on the first night of Passover, April 18, 2011, complete with a full Seder menu including brisket, noodle kugel and macaroons.

The tradition started in a windowless basement of the Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, Sheraton , during the April 2008 campaign, when Eric Lesser, then Ground Logistic Coordinator (he's now the Director of Strategic Planning for Austan Goolsbee, Chairman of the Council of Economic Advisers), got his hands on an "emergency Seder kit" from the University of Pennsylvania's Hillel Center. As Lesser and his fellow campaign staffers Arun Chaudhary and Herbie Ziskend were about to begin the Seder, Obama asked if he could join.

Instead of ending the meal with the customary "Next year in Jerusalem," Obama said "Next year in the White House." True to his word, the Seder continues at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.

On Presidents Day this year, we fully expect a little bit of imbibing to take place at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. Every U.S. president has had his vice -- James Buchanan would reportedly trek to a distillery each Sunday to purchase a gallon-sized jug of whiskey. It's also been reported that JFK did not serve lemonade, water, or even beer, aboard the presidential yacht -- instead, he turned to daiquiris.

And Barack Obama is no exception. On the heels of his "beer summit" in July 2009 where he chugged mugs of beer with two others on the Rose Garden patio, and following White House tradition, he and Michelle ensure that flutes of Domaine Chandon's sparkling wine (Blanc de Noirs, $22) are poured at all state dinners and other White House receptions.

This fall, a tour of the White House is, once again, going to get a little earthy, according to Obama Foodarama. First Lady Michelle Obama's 1,500-foot Kitchen Garden was such a hit as part of the spring Grounds and Gardens Tour that fall's rapini, sweet potatoes, and other crops are being featured in this season's walkabout, to be held October 16 and 17. (Does it trump the Rose Garden? You decide.) Tickets are free, and being distributed now by the National Parks Service, but reservations are required.

Last week the New Orleans Saints were dishing up classic Big Easy dishes in the White House kitchen to promote Gulf seafood and its safety. Today at 2:00 p.m., the Director of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Dr. Jane Lubchenco, will host a live web chat to answer more questions about the seafood from the Gulf of Mexico.

"There's no doubt that the men and women of the Gulf who make their livelihood harvesting fish, shrimp, and oysters have been among those hardest hit by this spill. Enjoying some local seafood is one simple way Americans can support the people of the Gulf who have been battered by this spill."

Do you have a question for her? You can submit your questions ahead of time via Facebook or the White House webform.

Tune in this afternoon at 2 p.m. to WhiteHouse.gov/live to watch the live feed.

Related: New Orleans Saints Visit the White House Kitchen [VIDEO]

Read all of Slashfood's Gulf seafood coverage.

The New Orleans Saints visited the White House earlier this week for a special ceremony honoring the Super Bowl champs. And the big guys didn't come empty handed -- they brought Gulf seafood, recipes and serious cooking skills. "While they're here today, several Saints players are going to spend some time teaching our staff their favorite Gulf seafood recipes," said President Obama. "So ... who's cooking?"

The White House put together a video featuring several members of the team cooking in the kitchen with White House chef Sam Kass. Tackle Zach Strief, Defensive End Bobby McCray, Center Nick Lecky and Kicker Garrett Harley rolled up the sleeves on their three-piece suits and showed the staff how to prepare a recipe from Streif's cookbook, When You're the Biggest Guy on the Team -- andouille sausage and Gulf shrimp marinated in Creole mustard, bourbon, honey and a little Tabasco Chipotle Pepper Sauce.

"Put this in some French bread and you've got yourself a good po' boy," says Bobby McCray. Strief adds, "They've done a ton of testing [on the shrimp] and it's all been cleared. It's the best in the country."

Later they surprised Press Secretary Robert Gibbs, journalists and visitors in the White House briefing room with portions of the dish -- an edible tribute to New Orleans.

After the jump, an exclusive behind-the-scenes video of the Saints cooking with Sam Kass in the White House kitchen.