"whitehouse" news and stories

This past Tuesday, Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, visited the White House. So what do you serve British royals for a white tie dinner? Following is the menu and wine selections that they chose, from the Office of the First Lady:

Spring Pea Soup with Fernleaf Lavender
Chive Pizzelle with American Caviar
Newton Chardonnay "Unfiltered" 2004

Dover Sole Almondine
Roasted Artichokes, Pequillo Peppers and Olives

Saddle of Spring Lamb
Chanterelle Sauce
Fricassee of Baby Vegetables

Peter Michael "Les Pavots" 2003

Arugula, Savannah Mustard and Mint Romaine
Champagne Dressing and Trio of Farmhouse Cheeses

"Rose Blossoms"

Schramsberg Brut Rosé 2004

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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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The new executive chef for the White House will be Cristeta Comerford, the first female to hold the position. The previous chef, Walter Scheib, left six months ago amid rumors of a personality clash with Laura Bush. Comerford had been an assistant chef at the White House since 1995. It has been said that Laura Bush was looking for a lighter, more American cooking style. At a recent dinner for Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Comerford served chilled asparagus soup and lemon creme, pan-roasted halibut, ginger-carrot butter, basmati rice with pistachio nuts and currants and herbed summer vegetables, and salad of Bibb lettuces and citrus vinaigrette. Comerford was born in the Phillipines and has her bachelors degree in food technology from the University of the Philippines. While this announcement may not make a huge difference to most of us who will never get to eat at the White House, it's still nice to finally have a woman in the top slot.

[via Superchefblog]

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