# What do they serve the Obamas when they attend state dinners in other countries? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [May 20, 2010, 3:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-they-serve-the-obamas-when-they-attend-state-dinners-in-other-countries/540097 "2010-05-20T03:15:37Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Sigmagirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c89c15/32.png) [@Sigmagirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sigmagirl)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2010, 12:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-they-serve-the-obamas-when-they-attend-state-dinners-in-other-countries/540097/21 "2010-05-21T12:26:45Z")
> [@don\_t\_ask](#): > > Fried chicken, collard greens and watermelon I guess. There was a big brouhaha at Baylor this year when dining services offered fried chicken, collard greens, black-eyed peas, and cornbread in observance of Martin Luther King Day. Students were outraged until it turned out that that was one of MLK’s favorite meals (he also liked fried pork chops, but they thought the fried chicken would be more popular). The dining services staff acknowledged that they should have explained their reasoning. ---
**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:** [May 21, 2010, 12:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-they-serve-the-obamas-when-they-attend-state-dinners-in-other-countries/540097/22 "2010-05-21T12:34:43Z")
I eat fried chicken and turnip greens with cornbread at least once week. I eat watermelon and cantaloupe in the summer when it’s in season. This is standard Southern cooking. It has nothing to do with race. ---
**Author:** ![FoieGrasIsEvil](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foiegrasisevil/32/16638_2.png) [@FoieGrasIsEvil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FoieGrasIsEvil)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2010, 1:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-they-serve-the-obamas-when-they-attend-state-dinners-in-other-countries/540097/23 "2010-05-21T13:14:43Z")
> [@Leaffan](#): > > Google tells me it’s only a 13 hour drive from Hidden Valley, IN. Would you settle for a barbecued burger and a beer? You’re on! 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2010, 1:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-they-serve-the-obamas-when-they-attend-state-dinners-in-other-countries/540097/24 "2010-05-21T13:31:38Z")
> [@don\_t\_ask](#): > > Fried chicken, collard greens and watermelon I guess. > [@Derleth](#): > > Only when he goes to Japan. I hope he doesn’t pull a Bush-1 and puke them up. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Excellent](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f19dbf/32.png) [@Mr.Excellent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Excellent)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2010, 2:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-they-serve-the-obamas-when-they-attend-state-dinners-in-other-countries/540097/25 "2010-05-21T14:33:49Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > I eat fried chicken and turnip greens with cornbread at least once week. > I eat watermelon and cantaloupe in the summer when it’s in season. > > This is standard Southern cooking. It has nothing to do with race. It’s also delicious, especially with sweet tea. Sadly, the fact that some people think it’s a race thing _makes_ it a race thing in itself, and it is now possible to offend people with fried chicken. Oh well. More for me! ---
**Author:** ![Banquet\_Bear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/banquet_bear/32/373_2.png) [@Banquet\_Bear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Banquet_Bear)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2010, 2:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-they-serve-the-obamas-when-they-attend-state-dinners-in-other-countries/540097/26 "2010-05-21T14:57:36Z")
…I was the Functions Manager with Bellamys Parliamentary Caterers (official caterers to the NZ Parliament.) about ten years ago… I obviously don’t know what they would serve the Obama’s, but hopefully I can give you some insight into what happens behind the scenes in the planning of a state banquet. In NZ and most commonwealth countries we would typically have four levels of event: a Regal Function (For most Royal events), a Vice-Regal Function (attended by the Governor General), a State Function (attended by a foreign Head of State) and a Ministerial Function (attended by a foreign ministerial representative). Visits by guests of government to NZ are managed by the Visits and Ceremonial Office (VCO). These guys are extremely well organised, have very good memories, know protocol like the back of their hand, are supreme diplomats and are very very cool. [http://www.dia.govt.nz/diawebsite.nsf/wpg\_URL/Services-Other-Services-VIP-Visits-and-Ceremonial-Events?OpenDocument](http://www.dia.govt.nz/diawebsite.nsf/wpg_URL/Services-Other-Services-VIP-Visits-and-Ceremonial-Events?OpenDocument) VCO are the central point of communication for all of the New Zealand agencies etc involved with a State visit. VCO in turn will normally liaise with their counterparts from the visiting country. So if the police have any concerns, they would relay it to VCO, who would relay this to their counterparts, and vice versa. Dietary requirements and preferences are passed onto VCO at an early stage and this is passed onto the catering team. Chef would then design two or three menus based on: -The dietary requirements and preferences of the visiting party and of the hosts -Timings of the dinner -Sequence of service in regards to speeches -Preset or served first course -A showcase of local product The menu options are sent by VCO to their counterparts who will make their selection. Occasionally the menu will require tweaking, so Chef will continue adjusting it until all parties are happy with it. Then its off to the printers, the food is ordered, etc. In regards to the security situation behind the scenes, even ten years on I am not at liberty or willing to discuss this, sorry! Just for anyone interested I’ve attached the programme for the State Visit of HRH The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh on their visit to New Zealand in 2002. I was Floor Manager for the State Dinner on the 25th: for approximately 280 guests we had 30 floorstaff, a top table team of 5 staff, and so many supervisors I lost count! It was the highlight of my career (its been all downhill since!) and great fun as well! [http://www.dia.govt.nz/royalvisit2002/programme/index.html](http://www.dia.govt.nz/royalvisit2002/programme/index.html) …and the only photo of have of the day ( ☹ ), the Top Table Team. [http://picasaweb.google.com/banquetbear/BlastsFromThePast#5473733030300957266](http://picasaweb.google.com/banquetbear/BlastsFromThePast#5473733030300957266) ---
**Author:** ![coremelt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/4491bb/32.png) [@coremelt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/coremelt)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2010, 3:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-they-serve-the-obamas-when-they-attend-state-dinners-in-other-countries/540097/27 "2010-05-21T15:13:33Z")
> [@Gray\_Ghost](#): > > [Fuzzy Zoeller!](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ufpU3X-t4w) Welcome to the Dope! > > Cecil has spoken on a related subject before. [“Does the President have an official food taster?”](http://www.straightdope.com/columns/read/2772/does-the-president-have-an-official-food-taster) This quote implies that the prez never acutally eats food provided by a foreign government which is quite boggling to consider: “Stewards find out what’s being served at the banquet and bring the ingredients with them from the United States.” ---
**Author:** ![Banquet\_Bear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/banquet_bear/32/373_2.png) [@Banquet\_Bear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Banquet_Bear)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2010, 3:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-they-serve-the-obamas-when-they-attend-state-dinners-in-other-countries/540097/28 "2010-05-21T15:43:58Z")
> [@coremelt](#): > > This quote implies that the prez never acutally eats food provided by a foreign government which is quite boggling to consider: > “Stewards find out what’s being served at the banquet and bring the ingredients with them from the United States.” …I personally find this hard to believe as well. I was never involved with any Presidential visit but I had discussed the President Clinton visit in '99 with a few people and nothing like this ever came up. The actual logistics of it are a bit mind-boggling! I’ll see what I can find out. ---
**Author:** ![Telemark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telemark/32/372_2.png) [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2010, 4:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-they-serve-the-obamas-when-they-attend-state-dinners-in-other-countries/540097/29 "2010-05-21T16:57:09Z")
> [@Banquet\_Bear](#): > > …I personally find this hard to believe as well. I’ve heard this numerous times from stories and TV shows about the secret service and presidential visits. If it’s not true, it’s a fairly well spread myth. ---
**Author:** ![DesertDog](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/desertdog/32/11503_2.png) [@DesertDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DesertDog)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2010, 5:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-they-serve-the-obamas-when-they-attend-state-dinners-in-other-countries/540097/30 "2010-05-21T17:16:50Z")
> [@Sunspace](#): > > [sub]\*and applesauce, as my old girlfriend and I found out…[/sub] \ ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2010, 5:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-they-serve-the-obamas-when-they-attend-state-dinners-in-other-countries/540097/31 "2010-05-21T17:29:46Z")
> [@Banquet\_Bear](#): > > …I personally find this hard to believe as well. I was never involved with any Presidential visit but I had discussed the President Clinton visit in '99 with a few people and nothing like this ever came up. The actual logistics of it are a bit mind-boggling! I’ll see what I can find out. The logistics of any presidential visit are mind-boggling, food aside. I think they fly in the presidential limousine and helicopter in addition to Air Force One, bring in dozens of staff and security and, generally, prep months ahead of time. Just bringing in his own food is a minor issue compared to everything else. ---
**Author:** ![MEBuckner](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mebuckner/32/2896_2.png) [@MEBuckner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MEBuckner)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2010, 6:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-they-serve-the-obamas-when-they-attend-state-dinners-in-other-countries/540097/32 "2010-05-21T18:21:04Z")
_To Serve the President of the United States_ It’s a **cookbook!!!** ---
**Author:** ![Lukeinva](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lukeinva/32/17872_2.png) [@Lukeinva](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lukeinva)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2010, 7:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-they-serve-the-obamas-when-they-attend-state-dinners-in-other-countries/540097/33 "2010-05-21T19:13:29Z")
If I were Prez I would want to eat the local food of the country I was visiting, i.e. whilst in France I’d want French food, or Italian, Singaporean etc etc. I think that is something one would anticipate. ---
**Author:** ![njtt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/ecd19e/32.png) [@njtt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/njtt)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2010, 7:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-they-serve-the-obamas-when-they-attend-state-dinners-in-other-countries/540097/34 "2010-05-21T19:20:21Z")
> [@coremelt](#): > > This quote implies that the prez never acutally eats food provided by a foreign government which is quite boggling to consider: > “Stewards find out what’s being served at the banquet and bring the ingredients with them from the United States.” Wouldn’t that be, like, hugely insulting to every foreign country ever visited? The point of presidential visits is to improve international relations, not to say to the rest of the world either “you are bunch of barbarians who can’t provide decent Uhmericurn food,” or “you are bunch of treacherous weasels just gaging for the least opportunity to murder our president.”\* \*Of course, things were different during the Bush II years. Then the policy was to insult allies at every opportunity, and most of the peoples of the world really would have liked to murder him. ```auto [quote="MEBuckner, post:32, topic:540097"] *To Serve the President of the United States* It's a **cookbook!!!!!** [/QUOTE] Damn, beaten to it! :mad: ``` ---
**Author:** ![Mops](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mops/32/16494_2.png) [@Mops](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mops)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2010, 7:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-they-serve-the-obamas-when-they-attend-state-dinners-in-other-countries/540097/35 "2010-05-21T19:25:21Z")
Laura Bush’s memoirs that appeared in April of this year claimed that GWB as well as part of his delegation had been poisoned at the 2007 Heiligendamm G8 meeting, and the chef who still worked there reacted indignantly, and recalled GWB later complimenting him on the food - so at least on this occasion the President’s food seems to have been provided locally. Also, on top of the Secret Service’s efforts any country visited by the US president has got _major_ incentives to to have him come to harm when on their soil, hence security measures that are probably larger in scope than the ones in the US (e.g. the Heiligendamm meeting was protected by 5% of the police officers in all of Germany) ---
**Author:** ![DCnDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dcndc/32/2842_2.png) [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2010, 7:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-they-serve-the-obamas-when-they-attend-state-dinners-in-other-countries/540097/36 "2010-05-21T19:49:05Z")
Apparently the Obama’s [had a taster with them](http://worldmeets.us/lefigaro0000276.shtml) when they visited France last year for the D-day anniversary. It wasn’t a state event, rather a family dinner at a local restaurant, but there was a 5th unnamed person at the table sampling each plate. This I understand. What struck me about that article is Barack paying for dinner. Not that the man shouldn’t pay for his own family’s dinner, but I find something a bit comical in a waiter bringing the POTUS a dinner check. Did he have cash? Did he give the waiter a Bank of America checkcard? Did he leave a tip and how much? ---
**Author:** ![drachillix](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/48db29/32.png) [@drachillix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drachillix)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2010, 8:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-they-serve-the-obamas-when-they-attend-state-dinners-in-other-countries/540097/37 "2010-05-21T20:36:49Z")
> [@DCnDC](#): > > This I understand. What struck me about that article is Barack paying for dinner. Not that the man shouldn’t pay for his own family’s dinner, but I find something a bit comical in a waiter bringing the POTUS a dinner check. Did he have cash? Did he give the waiter a Bank of America checkcard? Did he leave a tip and how much? A local Italian restaraunt here has a framed check for a dinner bill from the “white house travel fund” when Clinton was in town for an event. Apparently they just picked a well regarded place and placed a take out order, no mention of who it was for until they paid. I would imagine most restaraunts would have little problem accepting such as payment. ---
**Author:** ![cuberdon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/45deac/32.png) [@cuberdon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cuberdon)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2010, 9:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-they-serve-the-obamas-when-they-attend-state-dinners-in-other-countries/540097/38 "2010-05-21T21:19:08Z")
> [@tschild](#): > > Also, on top of the Secret Service’s efforts any country visited by the US president has got _major_ incentives to to have him come to harm when on their soil, hence security measures that are probably larger in scope than the ones in the US (e.g. the Heiligendamm meeting was protected by 5% of the police officers in all of Germany) I hope that you meant “to have him come to no harm”. ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2010, 9:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-they-serve-the-obamas-when-they-attend-state-dinners-in-other-countries/540097/39 "2010-05-21T21:39:21Z")
> [@Banquet\_Bear](#): > > …Just for anyone interested I’ve attached the programme for the State Visit of HRH The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh on their visit to New Zealand in 2002… Very interesting - thanks! That sounds like a fascinating process. But a nitpick: it’s HM (Her Majesty) The Queen and HRH The Duke of Edinburgh. ---
**Author:** ![Bisected8](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/a4c791/32.png) [@Bisected8](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bisected8)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2010, 11:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-they-serve-the-obamas-when-they-attend-state-dinners-in-other-countries/540097/40 "2010-05-21T23:35:59Z")
> [@lukeinva](#): > > If I were Prez I would want to eat the local food of the country I was visiting, i.e. whilst in France I’d want French food, or Italian, Singaporean etc etc. I think that is something one would anticipate. If that case, I doubt Britain and the USA would ever have reformed their political ties. :rolleyes: [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-they-serve-the-obamas-when-they-attend-state-dinners-in-other-countries/540097.md?page=1)