# Does the White House have a kitchen where the first family can make their own food? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [March 3, 2015, 2:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-white-house-have-a-kitchen-where-the-first-family-can-make-their-own-food/714063 "2015-03-03T02:17:33Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 18\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![TruCelt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/trucelt/32/523_2.png) [@TruCelt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TruCelt)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2015, 9:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-white-house-have-a-kitchen-where-the-first-family-can-make-their-own-food/714063/61 "2015-03-07T21:00:58Z")
> [@Willingham](#): > > When his family and personal guests eat what’s coming out of the kitchen, he’ll have to foot the bill himself. Nancy Reagan whined bitterly about this. It was just awful. :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![eschereal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eschereal/32/18939_2.png) [@eschereal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eschereal)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2015, 10:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-white-house-have-a-kitchen-where-the-first-family-can-make-their-own-food/714063/62 "2015-03-07T22:19:24Z")
> [@TruCelt](#): > > Nancy Reagan whined bitterly about this. It was just awful. Well then she should have hired a better chef. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Psmoke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/59ef9b/32.png) [@Psmoke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Psmoke)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2018, 12:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-white-house-have-a-kitchen-where-the-first-family-can-make-their-own-food/714063/63 "2018-09-04T00:55:26Z")
That note reminds of when Humphrey Bogart calls the senior staff for missing strawberries in The Caine Mutiny. > [@Ranger\_Jeff](#): > > Wasn’t there something during the Nixon administration about an opened can of strawberries going missing? ---
**Author:** ![snowmaster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e99b99/32.png) [@snowmaster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/snowmaster)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2018, 1:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-white-house-have-a-kitchen-where-the-first-family-can-make-their-own-food/714063/64 "2018-09-04T01:46:24Z")
[Whitehousemuseum.org](http://Whitehousemuseum.org) is a great source for questions like these. The family kitchen is on the second floor residence, and there are lots of pictures available on that site. ---
**Author:** ![digs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/digs/32/14889_2.png) [@digs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/digs)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2018, 2:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-white-house-have-a-kitchen-where-the-first-family-can-make-their-own-food/714063/65 "2018-09-04T02:47:26Z")
> [@TruCelt](#): > > Nancy Reagan whined bitterly about this. It was just awful. :rolleyes: Speaking of Reagans, their daughter Patti was on a talk show recently, complaining about not having a regular childhood: "We couldn’t even get a late night snack! We’d sneak into the kitchen looking for leftovers… nope, suddenly there’d be a chef asking “May I make you an omelette, miss?” ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2018, 3:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-white-house-have-a-kitchen-where-the-first-family-can-make-their-own-food/714063/66 "2018-09-04T03:37:05Z")
> [@digs](#): > > Speaking of Reagans, their daughter Patti was on a talk show recently, complaining about not having a regular childhood: "We couldn’t even get a late night snack! We’d sneak into the kitchen looking for leftovers… nope, suddenly there’d be a chef asking “May I make you an omelette, miss?” Though, that would have been while her father was Governor of California, not President. Patti was 28 when Reagan was elected president. Also, zombie presidential families just eat the staff’s brains. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![PatrickLondon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/patricklondon/32/4422_2.png) [@PatrickLondon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PatrickLondon)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2018, 10:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-white-house-have-a-kitchen-where-the-first-family-can-make-their-own-food/714063/67 "2018-09-04T10:14:18Z")
> [@kenobi\_65](#): > > Also, zombie presidential families just eat the staff’s brains. 😉 With some fava beans and a nice chianti? ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2018, 11:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-white-house-have-a-kitchen-where-the-first-family-can-make-their-own-food/714063/68 "2018-09-04T11:31:27Z")
> [@doreen](#): > > It just means that the shopping is not done on a predictable schedule. Let’s say I have someone do my grocery shopping every Thursday at the most convenient Whole Foods around 6pm and I’m known to be a fan of kale. Want to poison me? Go to that Whole Foods on Thursday at around 5:45ish and poison the kale on display. It’s a little harder if my grocery shopping might be done any day , any time and at any supermarket, convenience store or wholesale club within 20 miles of my house. 😕 Why would I bother with poison? You’re already eating _kale_… ---
**Author:** ![Urbanredneck](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/ea5d25/32.png) [@Urbanredneck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Urbanredneck)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2018, 11:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-white-house-have-a-kitchen-where-the-first-family-can-make-their-own-food/714063/69 "2018-09-04T11:44:24Z")
I once read a good book about the history of the white house. One problem with state dinners is the fact the dishes and cutlery are all stamped with the presidential seal and thus, expensive and rare. Making them a perfect target for guests to swipe. Yes I mean people going to a state dinner at the White House often steal the fine china. Now if your the president you cant ask the ambassador from say Hungary to please return the forks he just stole can you? So the first family has to cover the cost of new cutlery. Well actually they can ask for donations or ask congress to budget for this. ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2018, 11:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-white-house-have-a-kitchen-where-the-first-family-can-make-their-own-food/714063/70 "2018-09-04T11:49:11Z")
> [@kenobi\_65](#): > > Also, zombie presidential families just eat the staff’s brains. 😉 > [@PatrickLondon](#): > > With some fava beans and a nice chianti? No, that would be if they ate the staff’s livers. Brains would pair better with something white; a Chardonnay, perhaps, or a nice crisp chenin blanc. ---
**Author:** ![MrDibble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrdibble/32/114_2.png) [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2018, 12:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-white-house-have-a-kitchen-where-the-first-family-can-make-their-own-food/714063/71 "2018-09-04T12:56:09Z")
> [@HeyHomie](#): > > \*Except the back yard. Hillary had hired some sculptor to put in some abstract “art” that was ghastly Why am I picturing [these](http://www.tomspinadesigns.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/Beetlejuice-movie-prop-delia-restoration-3_1.jpg)? To go with the undead and all. ---
**Author:** ![Tim\_T-Bonham.net](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/46a35a/32.png) [@Tim\_T-Bonham.net](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tim_T-Bonham.net)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2018, 10:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-white-house-have-a-kitchen-where-the-first-family-can-make-their-own-food/714063/72 "2018-09-04T22:17:07Z")
> [@Rhythmdvl](#): > > How do Whitehouse kids learn to cook? I know they’re in a bubble and all, but that seems quite the life skill to bypass. I never really learned to cook for myself until I went off to college. Probably similar for any kids residing in the White House. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2018, 10:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-white-house-have-a-kitchen-where-the-first-family-can-make-their-own-food/714063/73 "2018-09-04T22:31:51Z")
There’s something special about a night in with the family. Fix a simple one skillet meal. Comfort food. Watch some tv. I can see the first family doing that. Most recent Presidents had homes without servants. They’re accustomed to taking care of their families. A small kitchen in the living quarters would get used. The current one is the notable rich exception. Stewards with carts and covered serving trays would ruin the family vibe. ---
**Author:** ![Tim\_T-Bonham.net](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/46a35a/32.png) [@Tim\_T-Bonham.net](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tim_T-Bonham.net)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2018, 10:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-white-house-have-a-kitchen-where-the-first-family-can-make-their-own-food/714063/74 "2018-09-04T22:33:39Z")
> [@doreen](#): > > It just means that the shopping is not done on a predictable schedule. Let’s say I have someone do my grocery shopping every Thursday at the most convenient Whole Foods around 6pm and I’m known to be a fan of kale. Want to poison me? Go to that Whole Foods on Thursday at around 5:45ish and poison the kale on display. It’s a little harder if my grocery shopping might be done any day , any time and at any supermarket, convenience store or wholesale club within 20 miles of my house. This applies to the groceries that are purchased for the President & his family, for their personal use. For the large state dinners, lunches with hundreds of people. and all the many events at the White House, the food is supplied by commercial distributors. The same companies that supply hotels & restaurants. Pretty much required when cooking for that size crowds. As for the random times & places, that doesn’t seem unreasonable. I get groceries at several different stores – whichever one is handy when I’m coming home from some event, for example. ---
**Author:** ![psychobunny](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/54ee81/32.png) [@psychobunny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/psychobunny)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2018, 4:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-white-house-have-a-kitchen-where-the-first-family-can-make-their-own-food/714063/75 "2018-09-05T04:08:31Z")
First of all, if Michelle Obama wanted kale she just went out to her garden and picked it. However, they do pay not only for their meals but all their other groceries. White House staff have to be notoriously discreet but they definitely know what brand of tampons all the first ladies used, since they had to go buy them (and yes, the First Family had to pay). ---
**Author:** ![Urbanredneck](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/ea5d25/32.png) [@Urbanredneck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Urbanredneck)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2018, 1:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-white-house-have-a-kitchen-where-the-first-family-can-make-their-own-food/714063/76 "2018-09-05T13:00:35Z")
Wasnt there a recording of JFK ordering up a pizza delivery? ---
**Author:** ![Machine\_Elf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/82dd89/32.png) [@Machine\_Elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machine_Elf)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2018, 2:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-white-house-have-a-kitchen-where-the-first-family-can-make-their-own-food/714063/77 "2018-09-05T14:59:11Z")
> [@Urbanredneck](#): > > I once read a good book about the history of the white house. > > One problem with state dinners is the fact the dishes and cutlery are all stamped with the presidential seal and thus, expensive and rare. Making them a perfect target for guests to swipe. Yes I mean people going to a state dinner at the White House often steal the fine china. > > Now if your the president you cant ask the ambassador from say Hungary to please return the forks he just stole can you? So the first family has to cover the cost of new cutlery. :dubious: This doesn’t sound plausible. I can see the POTUS being held to account for the behavior of personal guests at a private function held at the white house. But a state dinner is not a private function. ---
**Author:** ![Mr\_Quatro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/bc8723/32.png) [@Mr\_Quatro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr_Quatro)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2018, 6:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-white-house-have-a-kitchen-where-the-first-family-can-make-their-own-food/714063/78 "2018-09-05T18:20:51Z")
I just read last month that President Trump locks himself in his room (by himself) after 9pm and enjoys a cheese burger before he retires for the evening. I do not know if he cooked himself, but I seriously doubt it. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-white-house-have-a-kitchen-where-the-first-family-can-make-their-own-food/714063.md?page=3)