Enjoy the Obama Inauguration with a Buffet of Favorite Presidential Desserts

Monday on the 200^th anniversary of Abraham Lincoln’s birthday, Barack Obama will be inaugurated for his second four year term as President of the United States. And while the seriousness of the occasion should not be overlooked, there will be seemingly endless parties both in the Capital and throughout the U.S. celebrating democratic government by popular vote. 

And what better way could there be to celebrate the continuation of America’s freedom than to serve a viewing buffet of desserts enjoyed by the many and varied men who have lived in the White House?

George Washington – The first president of the United States was a practical man who enjoyed both dining with others and an English culinary heritage as many Americans did at that time. Yet he appreciated the bounty of the harvest that America could offer and saw that it appeared often in its many forms on the table at his Mount Vernon estate. And that included, yes, fresh apple pies. As a result, apple pie became identified with Washington and patriotism. Even today we use the phrase, “As American as apple Pie”. (And no, Washington did NOT chop down a cherry tree as a child – that is only a myth created decades after his death).

James Madison – While President Madison was busy dealing with foreign powers and national boundaries, his amazing wife Dolly was equally busy smoothing the political waters of Washington and establishing the unique role of the First Lady. Raised a demure Quaker, she became a skilled hostess of tea and charm. And like many a famous hostess, she used food to ease her diverse guests into conversation and an understanding of each other. Perhaps her most lasting culinary contribution is the Dolly Madison Layer Cake, which lifted the dense colonial cakes of English heritage by adding whipped egg whites. This technique is still used today. Thank you Dolly. (And thank you as well for saving George Washington’s great portrait when the British burned the White House in 1814).

Andrew Jackson – Jackson is considered by many historians as the first president not estate-born or lawyer-trained. Trained as a solider, he was used to command and compliance.

He was from the new frontier beyond the original east coast colonies. He was strong, direct and sometimes rude, fully American with a distrust of all ways European, especially the English whom he hated. He believed in a strong sense of personal destiny for himself and for his beloved nation. 

He ate plain and defended, when he could, the right of women to choose their own life path. His favorite dish was rice pudding.

Zachery Taylor – Born in Virginia and later stationed in New Orleans as a young solider, his southern roots were deep and included both owning a large number of slaves and a love of Creole cooking.

One of his favorite dishes was, that special pastry of New Orleans, the Calas, fired early each morning by black street vendors as a treat for many a southern gentleman to enjoy with dark coffee before returning home after a long night of cards and roulette to a weary waiting wife.

Yet no matter how angry his spouse might be, it could not possibly equal the conflict and anger regarding both the question of slavery and how to adjust the imbalance of power between the States that was then tearing the nation apart. No one doubted that dark days were ahead as young men drilled on southern greens and U.S. Congressmen came to blows on the floor of the Senate.

Abraham Lincoln – When Lincoln was elected, many consider it would result in the collapse of the nation and the end of style and elegance in Washington DC. True to their threat, South Carolina left the Union, followed by other southern states until finally, Virginia, that birthplace of presidents, left as well.

The result was civil war – the worst of wars as a nation devours itself in hate and anger. Things at the White House were equally confused. The President’s wife, Mary Todd Lincoln, was a southern who supposed the North. In a time of death and trauma, she sought to entertain in a grand manner to support her husband and to demonstrate her loyalty to the Union. Her balls and levees did neither. She was seen as insensitive to the suffering of the nation. Lincoln himself was a brilliant man of far simpler tastes. He cared little for food causing his doctors to be concerned over his long hours and ignored meals. Yet he remember enjoying a rare gingerbread man his mother baked for him, only to decide to give to another child who had never tasted the sweet treat. His tragic assassination stopped the heart of the Nation.

Theodore Roosevelt – While at first glance Roosevelt would seem just another member of the East Coast elite, he was actually so much more than just another rich boy made good as president. Weak as a child, he forced himself to exercise and became an athlete.

When his beloved first wife and adored mother died on the same day, he left the East Coast, bought a ranch and became a cowboy (in Brooks Brothers designed chaps). He returned East, was elected New York City Police Commissioner, fought crime and married a childhood girlfriend he had once rejected. Later as president he established the National Park System and won the Nobel Peace Prize. He hunted and forced diplomats to jog with him if they wished to discuss international relationships. Yet he love cookies. Indeed, they were an addiction his wife rationed for him less his weight in later life balloon to that of  a Diamond Jim Brady. His favorite cookie was a sand tart, especially in large quality if his wife wasn’t looking.

Woodrow Wilson - There are times when a President, for the benefit of the nation, must move with the times and adjust to the tides of change.

Woodrow Wilson was one such President, often caught in the swirling currents of the changing 21st century. Once a supporter of strict states’ rights, he would later exhaust himself auguring for the League of Nations (the forerunner of the United Nations). Initially an isolationist, he would lead America into her first truly international war. Like Lincoln, the office weighed heavy on his shoulders and often he simply did not eat. When he did, a dessert that recalled his earlier easier days as President of Princeton University was his favorite treat – Georgia Kiss Bread Pudding.  Then his devoted wife, Edith Bolling Galt who was rumored to be running the government while he removed from a major stroke late in his presidency, could breathe easy. He finally ate something!

Franklin Roosevelt – Every once in a while there is an individual who becomes president who seems ideally suited to the job. Franklin Roosevelt was one such person.

In fact, he model his life on that of his outgoing uncle, President Theodore Roosevelt (to the horror of his mother who told Franklin repeatedly that politics was not a proper profession for a wealthy man educated at Harvard). Like his beloved Uncle Teddy, he loved sports, only to be struck by polio and left unable to stand without braces in the prime of his life. Still he led America out of the Great Depression and through World War II in both Europe and Asia. Yet like, Lincoln and Wilson, he was a light eater. He did enjoyed an Angel Food Cake as a regular birthday cake (and was so secure and confident he even served everyday hot dogs to the visiting King and Queen of England).

Later Presidents - In the decades that followed other men, Richard Nixon, Ronald Reagan, George Bush Senior and Junior, Jimmy Carter and Bill Clinton would sit in the Oval Office, snacking on everything from chocolate chip cookies (Nixon) to jelly beans (Reagan), peanuts (Carter) to doughnuts (Clinton). The man taking the oath of office on Monday is known by staffers to enjoy chocolate covered caramels dusted with smoked salt, made right here in fair Seattle by Fran’s Chocolates.  

How presidential tastes have changed through the years yet the hopes of the Nation are the same as when Washington dined with honored friends by candle light – to live in peace with a bright and inclusive future spread out before us like a mighty feast of understanding, respect and mutual courage. 

Your Culinary World copyright Ana Kinkaid/Peter Schlagel 2013 

Raise a Toast to the True History of Thanksgiving

Holidays are interesting events. Often their original meaning and even purpose is lost over time. This is especially true of Thanksgiving, an American holiday celebrated on the next to last Thursday in November.

It’s true that since colonial times various states and cities had held harvest celebrations but there was no national holiday called Thanksgiving on the calendar.

Sarah Josepha Hale was the first figure to seriously urge that a national day of giving thanks be established. Beginning in 1827 and continuing for the next 36 years (!) she used her position as editor of the influential Godey’s Lady’s Book magazine to press governors, senators, and presidents alike to create such a day of gratitude and reflection.

As a member of Boston literary elite (and a working mother) she also spoke against racial inequality – an issue it seems America is still struggling with as evidenced in our last national elections.

At the same time there was another younger person working in a distance frontier tavern, serving shots of applejack brandy to all who’d listen to his folky but pointed stories.

And he too was questioning the injustice of inequality.

In 1863 that same man would make Hale’s dream of a national Thanksgiving holiday a reality.  

He did so to remind the nation during the darkest days of the Civil War that there are some truths and values so universal that they are worth fighting for no matter the cost or the time it takes… thoughts captured so well by the Union Colonel Joshua Chamberlain as he spoke to his men on the eve of the critical battle of Gettysburg.

Yes, the person who created Thanksgiving as a national holiday in the U.S. was Lincoln. His courage and strength saved a nation. His fight to do so was not easy as shown in Steven Spielberg’s new movie, Lincoln.  He never gave up. There is a lesson there.

Perhaps when we celebrate Thanksgiving this year we should do more than remember Pilgrims in funny hats. In addition to giving thanks for the turkey and dressing, perhaps we should also give thanks for the many brave men AND women who have throughout history fought so bravely with words and deeds for the human rights that should belong to all people.  

That feast should belong to us all everywhere.

Your Culinary World copyright Ana Kinkaid/Peter Schlagel 2012

Romney's Hurricane Sandy Relief Rally Was a Fake Food Drive

Mitt Romney and Party have treated us to false coal miner rallies where the workers were required to attend by their employer and not even paid their regular wages for doing so. Then there was the phony charity dish washing event staged by Paul Ryan, the Republican vice president candidate.

NOW, we must endure a false Hurricane Sandy Aid Rally.

Unable to continue campaigning as usual during the worst storm to hit New York, New Jersey and surrounding East coast area in a century, Romney needed to find another way to keep his face before the voting public.

Why not stage a political rally but call it a relief rally instead? Need a photo opp? That's easy. Just send your staff to the nearby Walmart to buy $5,000 worth of canned food and then heavily stocked the tables in front of the candidate, least he look bad.

Attendees without a food donation were given one by Romney's staff, enabling them to give 'their' (Romney's) food gift back to the Republican candidate when he shook their hand in front of the waiting cameras.

Prearranged, phony, fake, staged!!! Are there words negative enough to comment on the character of someone willing to exploit the suffering of millions of citizens suddenly without homes, lights, heat, food? We are at a loss to find them.

Crafting a self-serving event complete with illusionary donations and then adding childhood stories about one's own generosity, it NOT a presidential response worthy of any individual seeking to one of the world's most powerful positions.

The correct response is to donate cash to the American Red Cross. Cash enables them to purchase the resources most needed by the disaster victims and avoid the costly and time-consuming process of sorting, delivery and even finding a heat source to prepare food donations. 

Perhaps Romney, one of the wealthiest men to ever run for president, might consider this well known fact and write a check to the Red Cross equal to say the price of his wife's show horse, instead of focusing on obtaining PR photos of himself.

Post Note, November 1, 2012: The staff at Your Culinary World has voted unanimously to award Lindsay Lohan the BURNT COOKIE AWARD for absolutely stupid statements.

With an almost unbelievable careless disregard for the safety of others, she twitted, "WHY is everyone in SUCH a panic about hurricane (i'm calling it Sally)..? Stop projecting negativity! Think positive and pray for peace." 

Dear Miss Lohan, hurricanes and the loss of life that they bring is no joke. You should know better or be silent. Being a celebrity is a responsiblity, not a platform for spreading dangerous misinformation!

Your Culinary World copyright Ana Kinkaid/Peter Schlagel 2012

France Premieres New Culinary Film LES SAVEURS DU PALASIS

Opening in European film festivals (and soon we hope in the U.S.) is a stunning new food film, Les Saveurs du Palasis, based on Daniele Delpeuch’s experiences as Francois Mitterrand’s personal palace chef. 

We should say loosely based, for as always, there are additions and subtracts from the actual story. But be that as it may, you will surely be intrigued by the female lead.  

We first meet Hortense Laborie, (the character based on Ms. Depeche’s amazing life) in Antarctica. Yes, Antarctica, not Paris, where she is cooking for a group of appreciative but very isolated scientists. At first glance it does not seem she could possibly have walked the glided corridors of French presidential power.

But she did and often (at least initially) without support. She was a woman unwelcomed in a professional world of men. She did not wear a towering toque nor a chef's white jacket. Yet she worked, created and finally won the respect of her many male colleagues.

It is a marvelous film - a visual feast for the eyes and with good reason. The film’s culinary presentations were created by top professionals - Chef Gérard Besson (formerly at Le Coq Héron), Chef Guy Leguay (previously at The Ritz) and Culinary Stylist/Chef Elisabeth Scotto (of Elle Magazine).

From the beginning the film’s director Christian Vincent wanted the French actress Catherine Frot to play the role of Hortense, knowing she was perfect for the role.

She was exactly the same age as the character, with a genuine, practical side that suited the role perfectly. Her persona is natural, believable in either a country market or a palace kitchen. 

Today Daniele Delpeuch lives and teaches in her beloved Périgord region, where she promotes traditional cuisine and indigenous ingredients including truffles, truffles, truffles – oh, how we love them.

If you are in France, consider studying with her – you will marvel at the dishes you create and the conversations you will have.

But whether or not, your feet land on French soil, be sure to see this film when it comes to your neighborhood. It truly captures the spirit, the flame and flavor that is the craft and magic of French cuisine.  

Your Culinary World copyright Ana Kinkaid/Peter Schlagel 2012  

911 Remembered

It was a day of horror that none of us within the Hospitality Industry will ever forget. Hundreds of our colleagues, whose only crime was to go to work to create, to serve, were killed for no reason except to justify hate. 

Yet as time passes it is so easy to remember only the pictures that broke our hearts of falling steel and explosing flames and forget the faces. 

We must not forget our many friends and colleagues who worked within the Towers. Each and every one of them had a name. Catherine Hernandez has not forgotten.

She has said this, "My father, Norberto, was a pastry chef at Windows on the World in Tower One.

"For ten years, he made many fancy and famous desserts, but the sweetest dessert he made was the marble cake he made for us at home...

"Whenever we parted, Poppi would say, 'Te amo. Vaya con Dios.'

"I want to say the same thing to you, Poppi. I love you. Go with God." 

If you can, call for a silent moment this September 11th and ask your staff to pause for a minute or two to remember these remarkably talented members of our Industry - how much they loved what they were doing and how we each have a responsibility to carry their legacy forward into a better world, one that we are creating by what we do each and every day. 

Your Culinary World copyright Ana Kinkaid/Peter Schlagel 2012