The First Luncheon

Earlier this month, when the menu for Barack Obama's inaugural luncheon was still super secret, Florida State University Professor Elizabeth B. Goldsmith offered an "educated guess" on what might be served. "I assume we'll see American Midwestern cuisine traditionally associated with Chicago," she said. Not even close. The lunch , with the theme " A New Birth of Freedom ," and lots of thematic references to Abraham Lincoln, is bereft of red meat, and any corn among the dishes is entirely incidental. The first course consists of a seafood stew and a Napa Valley Sauvignon Blanc. Second course is "a raft of American birds," including duck and pheasant, and another California wine, this time a Pinot Noir. Dessert includes apple cinnamon sponge cake and champagne‑-also from California. (Recipes for all the dishes can be found here .) Goldsmith, professor of resource management and consumer economics at FSU, offered up an interesting survey of past inaugural feasts . A few examples: William ... (link)