Obama Foodorama: 11/27/2011

Wednesday, December 07, 2011

A Different Kind Of Pearl Harbor Attack

There's no way to connect President Obama to the 1941 Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. But led by a story from 9 News Now, many media entities are posting the Asian-inspired lunch menu being offered today at Sidwell Friends, the school attended by Obama daughters Malia and Sasha, and somehow trying to lay credit for an "inappropriate" moment at the doorstep of the White House. (Above: The screengrab from the story)

Using the 70th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor--one of the darkest days in the nation's history--in an attempt to criticize the President is a tragic example of the kind of unbridled media lunacy that Mr. Obama and his family are assaulted with on a daily basis.

President Obama's Statement, 70th Anniversary Of The Attack On Pearl Harbor

A MyPlate Christmas...

Osawatomie, Kansas: President Obama Drops By We B Smokin' Barbecue Joint

President promises to write a letter recommending the restaurant's food...

USDA Announces Plans To Crack Down On Food Stamps Fraud, Improve Program Delivery

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program posts highest numbers ever for FY 2011, but Department is working to cut waste and abuse, says top official....

The US Department of Agriculture will crack down on fraud and wasteful practices in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), also called Food Stamps. The move comes as SNAP enrollment and spending has hit record levels. More than 46.3 million people received a total of $75.3 billion in benefits in fiscal year 2011, the highest levels in US history, according to new data released on Monday. Kevin Concannon, Under Secretary for Food, Nutrition and Consumer Services (above), today announced details of the plans to reduce waste and abuse.

Transcript & Video: President Obama's Speech In Osawatomie, Kansas

This year's 400-pound showpiece has working lights, four fully furnished rooms, a replica of the Kitchen Garden, First Dog Bo, and a Christmas forest...

The tiniest Bo with the Clinton State China...

First Dog Bo, hailed by First Lady Michelle Obama as "the most famous member of the Obama family," stars in this year's holiday decor. Figurines of the shaggy Portuguese Water Dog, large and tiny, are in almost every room of the White House. In these photos, a teeny Bo sits beside wine glasses on a dinner table in the China Room, set for the holidays. "It's a where's Bo?" game, said Mrs. Obama, a subtheme of "Shine, Give, Share," which honors military families.

"Dinner with Barack" Winner Sends E-Mail

The Presidential meal was "one of the most significant experiences of my life," says contest winner...

150 Tweeps briefed by top aides and residence staff before going on holiday tour...Videos of speakers...

The Obama Campaign apparently wants to know which of your friends have been naughty or nice this year...

Let's Move! Campaign On QSR List Of The Year's "100 Biggest Restaurant Stories"

During a visit to Istanbul's Samatya Square, the Vice President wows the locals by purchasing olives, fruit, cheese, fish...
With the minarets of the Blue Mosque and the Hagia Sophia looming in the distance on Sunday, Vice President Joe Biden took a stroll along the cobblestone streets of Istanbul's Samatya Square. Accompanied by US Ambassador Frank Ricciardone, Biden ate his way through the traditional community in the Fatih district, visiting food vendors, including butchers, fish mongers, bread makers, and small grocers.

Hillary Clinton, Gingerbread Lady...

President Obama, First Lady Host Reception For 2011 Kennedy Center Honorees - Updated

Star-studded guest list for celebration of lifetime achievement awards for Meryl Streep, Yo-Yo Ma, Neil Diamond, Barbara Cook and Sonny Rollins...
In the Christmas-bedecked East Room of the White House on Sunday evening, President Obama and First Lady Obama, clad in a dramatic fishtail gown by designer Vera Wang, hosted a gala black tie reception that brought together some of the most acclaimed performing artists in the world.

Singer-songwriter Neil Diamond, thrilled with his visit to the White House for the President and First Lady's black tie reception for the 2011 Kennedy Center Honorees, tweeted this photo of himself from the fete.

"Just met the President of the United States and I'm elated to receive the Kennedy Center Honor. I love my job!" Diamond tweeted.

Transcript & Video: President's Remarks, Reception For 2011 Kennedy Center Honorees

In the East Garden Room, Christmas trees made of construction paper sit beside a huge bust of President Abraham Lincoln and one of the 30 natural Christmas trees that are part of First Lady Michelle Obama's "Shine, Give, Share" holiday decor theme. Christmas cards from past Administrations are framed on the wall beside the trees. Instructions for making a mini version of the paper trees are included in the 2011 White House Holiday Tour Book [PDF].

*Photo by Eddie Gehman Kohan/Obama Foodorama

Saturday, December 03, 2011

Behind The Scenes: White House Pastry Shop Goes Into Overdrive For Holiday Cookie Operation

The President and First Lady will entertain thousands of guests for holiday parties, and the pastry chefs hand-decorate every cookie...
In the next three weeks, the President Obama and First Lady Obama will welcome thousands of guests for afternoon and evening holiday receptions. Lucky recipients of the coveted invitations will be treated to all kinds of delights from the White House kitchen, but few are more labor intensive--or ephemeral--than the holiday cookies that will be served. Thousands of the decorated delights--shaped like First Dog Bo, Christmas trees, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, snowflakes, candy canes--are each hand-made in the White House pastry shop. It has become a high-volume production operation, a sugar-drenched version of Santa's workshop, where cookies stand in for toys. (Above: Mrs. Obama decorated cookies with her first holiday guests on Wednesday, children from military families, joined by Executive Pastry Chef Bill Yosses, left, and assistant pastry chef Susie Morrison)

First Dog Bo, licorice and marshmallow edition...

House Agriculture Subpoenas Jon Corzine

Statement from Committee Chair Lucas and Ranking Member Peterson...

US Agriculture & The MF Global Bankruptcy

Report from Capitol Hill: US Farmers and Ranchers struggle with frozen accounts and the long-term aftermath of financial giant's failure...Senate hearing: Federal regulators & Senators can't assure that futures markets are safe...

Add high-calorie baked goods and drinks from Starbucks to USDA's list of low-nutrition foods, including cake, cookies, chips and soda, that can be purchased with federal nutrition assistance benefits...

"Serving The Country"

First Family Lights The National Christmas Tree

"That's a good-looking tree," President Obama says, as Colorado Blue Spruce makes its debut on the Ellipse...

Michelle Obama Wants To Dine With YOU

First Lady e-mails about "Dinner with Barack and Michelle" fundraiser...

The special episode of "Chopped" featuring Senior Policy Advisor for Healthy Food Initiaatives Sam Kass as a judge for a culinary battle between four amazing "lunch ladies" airs again tonight on Food Network at 9:00 PM/8:00 Central. The show spotlights the efforts going on across America to make school lunches healthier, and will also air on Saturday at 12:00 PM/11:00 Central. Click here to watch a preview video.