Ranking The Food of United States Presidents

George H. W. Bush practically banned broccoli from his White Home. Severely—there’s a complete Wikipedia web page titled George H.W. Bush broccoli feedback, and after studying the “evaluation” part, I’ve turn into sure: If I used to be eight years previous, I might’ve liked to have dined with Bush 1.0.

Nonetheless, since I’m not in third grade, the forty first White Home isn’t my most well-liked presidential eating vacation spot. As you’ll be completely happy to know, lots of our nation’s leaders didn’t simply abdomen their inexperienced greens, they embraced them. Even seasoned them. And, in Nixon’s case, doubtless poured ketchup on them.

So, forward of President’s Day weekend, I requested myself the all-important query: If I might 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 scale back my odds of returning to the current day with dysentery.

How I Judged Them

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

• Taste: Will I benefit from the meals?
• 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 typically the drama within the kitchen trumps the meals served. Additionally: These are my guidelines.

Notable Absences

Nearly all of eligible presidents didn’t make the reduce . If you wish to make the case that Trump’s Blissful Meal smorgasbord warrants culinary recognition, pontificate 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 Govt Chef was stuffed with butter and insurrection. Born and skilled in France, Pierre’s unwavering dedication to traditional culinary strategies—like sourcing native elements and refusing to take heed to different individuals—disturbed the Clinton administration a lot he was fired after only one yr. 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 girl to turn into White Home Govt Chef. And she or he’s held the place longer than virtually 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 expertise). Past the brilliance of Chef Comerford, a meal with Biden guarantees two extra perks: 1) Ice cream (Joe loves the stuff) and a couple of) eating with Andrew Pearce serveware. In accordance with 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’s going to match no matter taste you search.
• Ambiance: Aside from the truth that everybody may be on TikTok in the course of the meal (together with Joe), this will probably be a nice, enjoyable meal.
• Drama: Comparatively much less drama on this administration, however with no time machine required, individuals may really 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 “do-it-yourself ice cream” and “monumental Sunday breakfasts of deer sausage, residence cured bacon, popovers, grits, scrambled eggs, do-it-yourself peach preserves and low,” I might devour something she made. Nonetheless, my curiosity in eating with Zephyr Wright extends past meals—it’s properly reported that Zephyr shared her experiences as a black girl throughout Jim Crow and helped affect President Johnson’s signage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. In reality, Zephyr was given one of many pens LBJ used to signal the act into legislation.

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