Rating The Meals of United States Presidents

George H. W. Bush almost banned broccoli from his White Home. Critically—there’s a whole Wikipedia web page titled George H.W. Bush broccoli comments, and after studying the “evaluation” part, I’ve change into sure: If I used to be eight years outdated, I might’ve liked to have dined with Bush 1.0.

Nonetheless, since I’m now not in third grade, the forty first White Home will not be my most popular presidential eating vacation spot. As you’ll be glad to know, a lot of our nation’s leaders didn’t simply abdomen their inexperienced greens, they embraced them. Even seasoned them. And, in Nixon’s case, possible poured ketchup on them.

So, forward of President’s Day weekend, I requested myself the all-important query: If I may return in time and dine at any White Home, which Presidency would I select?

And—within the occasion that my first selection is busy on the day that my time machine works—I ready just a few backup choices.

With out additional ado, welcome to the Presidential Eating Energy Rankings.

Who’s Eligible

I’ve thought of solely administrations from the twentieth century and onward. That is primarily for moral causes (learn: not supporting slavery), but in addition to cut back my odds of returning to the current day with dysentery.

How I Judged Them

I’ve evaluated eligible administrations primarily based on their efficiency within the following classes:

• Taste: Will I benefit from the food?
• Ambiance: What’s this White Home’s common eating vibe?
• Drama: How juicy are the dynamics on the desk?

That is extra artwork than science—that means, classes have been weighted in a different way for every president, and generally the drama within the kitchen trumps the meals served. Additionally: These are my guidelines.

Notable Absences

The vast majority of eligible presidents didn’t make the minimize . If you wish to make the case that Trump’s Glad Meal smorgasbord warrants culinary recognition, hold forth within the feedback—I’m certain it’s not the primary time you’ve been there.

3. The Clinton Administration in 1993

Pierre Chambrin’s transient tenure as Invoice Clinton’s White Home Government Chef was stuffed with butter and rise up. Born and skilled in France, Pierre’s unwavering dedication to basic culinary strategies—like sourcing native components and refusing to hearken to different individuals—disturbed the Clinton administration a lot he was fired after only one 12 months. Allegedly incapable of cooking “low-fat” dishes and “taking orders” from others (together with the President), Pierre’s antics sound dated and exhausting, but in addition completely scrumptious.

• Taste: Butter. Foie Gras. Chanterelles.
• Ambiance: White tablecloths, crystal wine glasses, and controversy.
• Drama: It’s like The Bear, solely set in The White Home within the 90s. Simply think about the Christmas dinner scene.

2. The Biden Administration

Cristeta Comerford, President Biden’s Chef, was the primary lady to change into White Home Government Chef. And he or she’s held the place longer than nearly anybody, as she’s run the kitchen on Pennsylvania Avenue since 2005. Surviving 4 presidencies—all with distinct palates—it’s clear Chef Comerford has immense culinary vary (and folks abilities). Past the brilliance of Chef Comerford, a meal with Biden guarantees two extra perks: 1) Ice cream (Joe loves the stuff) and a pair of) eating with Andrew Pearce serveware. In response to Mr. Pearce, the Biden Administration was fond sufficient of his woodworking to request a particular order delivered to the White Home.

• Taste: Chef Comerford’s resume speaks for itself—she is going to match no matter taste you search.
• Ambiance: Aside from the truth that everybody could be on TikTok in the course of the meal (together with Joe), this will likely be a nice, enjoyable meal.
• Drama: Comparatively much less drama on this administration, however with no time machine required, individuals may truly consider that I dined on the White Home. That counts for one thing.

1. The Johnson Administration

If this train was strictly about meals, a meal ready by Zephyr Wright, President Johnson’s private cook dinner, would nonetheless occupy the highest place right here. Identified for her “homemade ice cream” and “monumental Sunday breakfasts of deer sausage, home cured bacon, popovers, grits, scrambled eggs, homemade peach preserves and coffee,” I might devour something she made. Nonetheless, my curiosity in eating with Zephyr Wright extends past meals—it’s nicely reported that Zephyr shared her experiences as a black lady throughout Jim Crow and helped affect President Johnson’s signage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Actually, Zephyr was given one of many pens LBJ used to signal the act into regulation.

• Taste: The breakfast of your desires.
• Ambiance: Zephyr apparently made dinner on the White Home a coveted invite.
• Drama: See above.