The Obamamania Lunch [General]
2009 Feb 20
Momomoto - Interesting post. Having been involved in more than one of these "state" meals, I can tell you they are usually a multi-departmental affair. Definitely DFAIT would be involved in regards to Trade prominence (ie Wine placement in particular), but even more so with their Office of Protocol.
That aside the main player is Government House (aka Rideau Hall). They usually set the menu and make sure that all dishes represent Canada and different regions... looks like that requirement was pretty well met. And then The Office of Protocol also gets involved because they act as the go-between to ensure that the guests religious needs, dietary needs, likes / dislikes and allergies are not infringed on. All in all a huge behind the scenes undertaking. I'd be curious who was the lucky Chef in charge, although it was at Parliament Hill in the Speaker of the Senate's Dining Room, I'm guessing that the nod went to the Head Chef at Government House.
That aside the main player is Government House (aka Rideau Hall). They usually set the menu and make sure that all dishes represent Canada and different regions... looks like that requirement was pretty well met. And then The Office of Protocol also gets involved because they act as the go-between to ensure that the guests religious needs, dietary needs, likes / dislikes and allergies are not infringed on. All in all a huge behind the scenes undertaking. I'd be curious who was the lucky Chef in charge, although it was at Parliament Hill in the Speaker of the Senate's Dining Room, I'm guessing that the nod went to the Head Chef at Government House.
2009 Feb 20
Actually, my tip-of-the-hat goes to Pam & Grant Hooker, owners/founders of the famous BeaverTail empire, who somehow managed to get the president over to their kiosk in the ByWard Market Thursday to sample an ObamaTail. Do you think it was just whimsy, an accident, that Obama decided he must try one? No ... I'm sure the Hookers had a hand in it. Somehow.
Good for you both. Congrats!
Good for you both. Congrats!
2009 Feb 20
pan be nice
you are referring to my fave prez, JFK
when i heard what they were serving ilaughed
obama's fave thing to make at home is chili
he loves chicago style pizza, mexican and southern (US) foods
burgers
and of course spam sushi
spam...bison....spam...bison....hmmmmmm hard choice
lol
by the way, the stratus red is a phenom wine
sure it was great with the bison dunno if it would work with spam
(killing myself lol)
you are referring to my fave prez, JFK
when i heard what they were serving ilaughed
obama's fave thing to make at home is chili
he loves chicago style pizza, mexican and southern (US) foods
burgers
and of course spam sushi
spam...bison....spam...bison....hmmmmmm hard choice
lol
by the way, the stratus red is a phenom wine
sure it was great with the bison dunno if it would work with spam
(killing myself lol)
2009 Feb 21
Says the NY Times of Pres. Obama's , "He politely avoided eating the cholesterol-laden confection, promising to do so once he got back to the White House."
www.nytimes.com"
Think he kept that promise? :)
I have an image of Obama's handlers ballooning up due to pit-stops of this nature while the President himself retains his slim profile through to the end of his tenure.
www.nytimes.com"
Think he kept that promise? :)
I have an image of Obama's handlers ballooning up due to pit-stops of this nature while the President himself retains his slim profile through to the end of his tenure.
2009 Feb 21
Cholesterol-laden from being fried in Canola or Soybean oil?? No wonder the NY Times is going out of business. [EDIT: Oh, I get it -- the butter. Still, the internet is telling me it's only 17-20 mg of cholesterol per beavie.]
Too bad he didn't try it. I'm sure he's had fried dough before though, so it's not like it would have changed his life or anything.
Too bad he didn't try it. I'm sure he's had fried dough before though, so it's not like it would have changed his life or anything.
2009 Feb 21
Looks like 'we the people' changed his life ...
Now it's up to Obama to change the life of 'the people'.
(At least ... lead that change.)
Good Change = Progress!!
Someone on CNN (yeeesh) said that there was lots and lots of security for Obama in Canada ... But it was to prevent him from getting hugged to death.
GO OBAMA !!! Set the pace ... and others WILL follow !!
(I'm afraid if the economy doesn't get turned around, in say, 2 years or so, the 'Love-fest' will be over and the Citizens may turn on him, big time. What a nightmare.)
We do live in very interesting times.
Looks like The G8 is morphing into The G20, which I think, will go to a 'World Government' in some form or other in the next 10-20 years.
Interesting times indeed. Thanks to the internet .... Truly revolutionary ... Best thing since the Industrial Revolution (and it's Steam Trains etc.)
Now it's up to Obama to change the life of 'the people'.
(At least ... lead that change.)
Good Change = Progress!!
Someone on CNN (yeeesh) said that there was lots and lots of security for Obama in Canada ... But it was to prevent him from getting hugged to death.
GO OBAMA !!! Set the pace ... and others WILL follow !!
(I'm afraid if the economy doesn't get turned around, in say, 2 years or so, the 'Love-fest' will be over and the Citizens may turn on him, big time. What a nightmare.)
We do live in very interesting times.
Looks like The G8 is morphing into The G20, which I think, will go to a 'World Government' in some form or other in the next 10-20 years.
Interesting times indeed. Thanks to the internet .... Truly revolutionary ... Best thing since the Industrial Revolution (and it's Steam Trains etc.)
2009 Feb 21
Actually, yeah, I'd love to hear the story behind how President Obama was made aware of BeaverTails. I agree that it probably wasn't just fate (although I would love to think that it was because of world renown.)
Too bad that he didn't eat the BeaverTail right away, since they're so much better when they're fresh!
Too bad that he didn't eat the BeaverTail right away, since they're so much better when they're fresh!
2009 Feb 21
No, it was just a simple invitation that did it. :)
BeaverTails Canada Inc.'s Grant Hooker had been asked by the Canadian Tourism Commission if he would be interested in bringing Beaver Tails to the Canadian Embassy's invite-only party during the Obama inauguration in January. He did and also (brilliantly) sent out an invitation to the president to try one when he visited Ottawa.
p.s. Grilled Alberta sausages and an unnamed (??!!) Canadian beer were also served at that party in Washington.
www.cbc.ca
BeaverTails Canada Inc.'s Grant Hooker had been asked by the Canadian Tourism Commission if he would be interested in bringing Beaver Tails to the Canadian Embassy's invite-only party during the Obama inauguration in January. He did and also (brilliantly) sent out an invitation to the president to try one when he visited Ottawa.
p.s. Grilled Alberta sausages and an unnamed (??!!) Canadian beer were also served at that party in Washington.
www.cbc.ca
Momomoto
communities.canada.com
On the wine front, Mr. Obama and Mr. Harper were served a Chardonnay from BC, the 2002 Stratus Red, and a Québec ice cider. Stratus issued a press release about the honour; I haven't been able to find which BC Chard and ice cider they were, but you'd better believe I'm trying to.
Kudos to DFAIT (presumably Wine Trade Commissioner Janet Dorozynski) for putting together a delicious representation of what we do here. It makes me quite proud of the Canadian wine industry, but also makes me sad that I drank my last bottle of 2002 Stratus Red in April of last year :( :( :(