Obama's First Meal As President Has A Lincoln Theme

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed)
Jan 13th 2009 at 8:01AM

Barack Obama may not be able to keep the trim physique he showed off in Hawaii recently for long based on some of the food he'll be served in the next couple of weeks. The menu for the Inaugural Luncheon has been announced. The luncheon traditionally features food from the home states of the new President and Vice President, as well as the theme of the Inauguration. The 2009 inaugural luncheon has been designed to commemorate the bicentennial of the birth of Abraham Lincoln (Feb. 12, 1809) and will feature foods Lincoln would have eaten or enjoyed. The first course will be served on replicas of the china from the Lincoln Presidency.

The menu for this year is:

First Course: Seafood Stew
Duckhorn Vineyards, 2007 Sauvignon Blanc, Napa Valley

Second Course: A Brace of American Birds (pheasant and duck), served with Sour Cherry Chutney and Molasses Sweet Potatoes
Goldeneye, 2005 Pinot Noir, Anderson Valley

Third Course: Apple Cinnamon Sponge Cake and Sweet Cream Glacé
Korbel Natural "Special Inaugural Cuvée,"
California Champagne

The tables will be decorated with floral arrangements, designed by JLB Floral of Alexandria, Virginia and featuring Red Charlotte roses, Rouge Basier roses, Hot Lady roses, a floribunda rose called Hot Majolica, hydrangea in shades of blues and purples, and light blue delphinium in a footed brass compote.

What have past presidents eaten? According to Florida State University Professor Liz Goldsmith in 1941, President Franklin D. Roosevelt and his guests enjoyed a buffet lunch of tomato soup, salad, beef, ham and tongue, and cake, ice cream and coffee.

President Kennedy's luncheon included cream of tomato soup with crushed popcorn, stuffed lobster and patisserie bateau blanche. President Lyndon Johnson's feast included Texas heart of filet mignon and something called tomato surprise.

Our current President George W. Bush had lobster pie; grenadine of beef supreme; chartreuse of vegetables in a puff pastry ring; puree of small celery and parsnip roots; biscuits; toffee pudding with ice cream; and demitasse café and tea along with trays of chocolate-dipped ginger, candied fruit rinds, fresh strawberries, macaroons and truffles for his first inaugural luncheon. His second lunch had a Native American theme that included quail.

Tags: barack obama, BarackObama, inauguration, joe biden, JoeBiden, president

Filed under: Dining

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Reader Comments (Page 7 of 7)

Tina Jan 15th 2009 8:25PM

I understand a dinner is given to all new President's, but usually held at the Capital Building. I never remember so much booze served. My family will have PB&J.

Obama tippsy by noon!

Wayne Jan 15th 2009 8:59PM

KFC and watermelon for the new million man march on Tuesday. A lot of blacks are taking off work to be in Washington for the occasion. Don't they know that Obama isn't all black. Opps someone forgot to tell them. And theys aint gonna get in on the feed. Anyhow just another reason weis we dona hava go to woik today. Its like a holiday. Like they needed another excuse to take off work.

debra Jan 15th 2009 9:25PM

Maybe he'll choke on a chicken bone...........

Jennifer Jan 16th 2009 3:08PM

Give me a break! Our President-Elect is giving enough of himself. The man deserves to be able to eat a nice meal. He is risking his life by taking on the office of president, and he gives greatly of his time. The president works very long hours. His whole family has given up their home, friends and everything they know to move into the white house, be open to public scrutiny, so he can serve this country to the best of his ability! Instead of expecting more from Pres. Obama, why don't you ask yourself--What can I do to help, because I'll bet when it comes down to it, you really have done a lot more complaining than helping!!

Corey Jan 16th 2009 4:04PM

I thought this was the Presidency of Change. It seems he is doing everything the same way the presidents of the past have been. That is where the hypocrisy lies.

Bait and Switch.

He's just like every other politician.

JK Jan 17th 2009 11:33PM

PHEASANT !!! this is a man of the people???? I bet 90% of Americans have never tasted pheasant and never will...what an elitist snob.

doc 2009 Jan 19th 2009 3:14PM

maybe an insider will poison him and his family from within the white house. i dont trust biden the plagiarist. its not far fetched you know

doc 2009 Jan 19th 2009 3:19PM

jennifer, are you so deranged or what? they have given up everything to move into the white house? are you kidding me? what was he or his wife before running for office? hes an illegitimate bast*** from a dirty woman who slept with a negro from africa when good girls didnt do such things and his father was the village idiot. WAKE UP and smell the coffee. they are living the american dream and he isnt even born in the usa. maybe if you lose your house and job because of his presidency, maybe then you will realize what the republicans and conservatives are so angry about

toughcritic Jan 22nd 2009 8:18PM

Obama can keep mimicing everything that Abraham Lincoln ever said and did and he will continue to look like an ass doing it. We knew Lincoln, Lincoln was a president of ours and pal YOU AIN'T NO LINCOLN! You don't have his brain, his intelligence, his sense of history, his moral strength and his foresight. You are a bonafied fraud and liar and in a short time from now the majority of the people will see you don't belong in the oval office of previous great men. And for the record the Nielsen ratings gave you a 38 % for your inaugural coverage on TV. Ronald Reagan is the all time champ with a 42 % inaugural viewership. By the way, AMERICAN IDOL beat out the inaugural coverage by a wide margin !

rich Feb 10th 2009 10:32AM

So far the only real similarity between Preident Lincoln and President Obama is they both have huge ears. President Lincoln was a humble and modest man while President Obama is neither. President Lincoln had great command of the English language and wrote and spoke beautifully while President Obama tries hard he does not have the same level of skill. Lincoln had the love, admiration and respect of his people at the end of his career. Obama started with it and we see it heading in the opposite direction. The comparison is more like that of an Elephant to a Donkey.

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