President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama presented Assistant Usher Reginald 'Reggie' Dickson with a birthday cake following the Medal of Freedom Dinner on June 13 for Israel's President Shimon Peres, according to this photo newly released by the White House. The sweet show of affection took place "outside the Usher's Office" on the State Floor, notes the photo caption. Offering a candle-topped cake is a signature gesture for the Cakemander in Chief, whose presentations of celebratory sweets to guests, staff and journalists has been documented in official photographs.Dickson, historically, was the man who served President-elect Obama his very first "official" cheeseburger and French fries lunch on Jan. 4, 2009. The meal was during Mr. Obama's first ride aboard one of the military's Boeing 747s that would be used as Air Force One after the inauguration. A video of the heady moment is below.
The White House did not release the menu for the Medal of Freedom dinner, where 140 guests feted Peres in the East Room. Dickson's patriotic birthday cake, which seems to be cheesecake, was topped with a red glaze, red raspberries, white meringue peaks, and blueberries, with golden yellow sugar accents on the side. There's also a presentation plaque made of sugar on the side of the cake that is not facing the camera.The President and Dickson during the in-flight lunch...
Traveling from Chicago to Washington, DC, Mr. Obama ordered his cheeseburger cooked medium-well, with cheddar cheese, dijon mustard, lettuce and tomato. There was of course a side of French fries, too, and a salad.
Also released in the same photo set for June was the photo, below, of the President and Mrs. Obama standing under the North Portico and bidding Peres farewell after the dinner. Mrs. Obama's silk gown was by US designer Michael Kors.
The designer Tweeted the information about Mrs. Obama's gown following the dinner.*Photos by Pete Souza/White House; National Geographic Channel video
