JFK's Chef: "The Kennedys Were Very Sophisticated About Food"

It seems that the fascination with the Obamas' eating habits, from their garden to their Vineyard munchies, to the menu for the upcoming state dinner is unprecedented, but they're hardly the first first couple to bring a sense of culinary awareness to the White House. JFK's chef René Verdon remembered his boss's affinity for foodstuffs.

"The Kennedys were very sophisticated about food," Mr. Verdon told the New York Times. "They liked to eat well, and they understood the meaning of good taste."

He pointed specifically to the July 11, 1961 state dinner for the president of Pakistan, which Jackie chose to hold under a tent at Mount Vernon, 16 miles from the White House.

"This was a very big challenge," Mr. Verdon commented, with an exaggerated shrug of the shoulders and a wide grin. "We had to cook everything at the White House and then carry it to Mount Vernon," he said.

The President and Mrs. Kennedy attend a dinner July 11, 1961 at Mt. Vernon in honor of the President of Pakistan. (Photo courtesy of Kennedy Library Archives/Newsmakers)

The menu consisted of avocado and crab meat mimosa, poulet chasseur (chicken in a sauce of shallots, mushrooms and tomatoes), fresh vegetables and herbs with rice, raspberries in Chantilly cream, and petits fours dipped in chocolate.

What do you think the Obamas should serve when they honor India at their first state dinner, on November 24th? Tell us below.

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Comments

[sassafra]

so i take it obama won't be either following the brit's "fun game" notion of an indian state dinner which is "floating a curry on top of a few pints" or daring the prime minister to a phaal challenge at the brick lane curry house, home of one of the world's hottest currys.

[metivo]

They should serve meat loaf with mashed potatoes and gravy washed down with Michelob. For desert: Debbie's Little Cakes, Ring Dings, and marshmallow cookies. Mmmmmmm.

[Chazz27]

What a p1g.

[vinny]

george bush, is that you?

[Ivriniel]

Dr.Manmohan Singh, the Indian Prime Minister is mostly a vegetarian, though, he does eat fish.

[Okieborn]

Fried Chicken,hot country gravy,fresh made rolls and an apple pie or watermellon.
Drinks, orange pop .

[Overbluff]

deviled eggs, too.

[epitomized]

I enjoy reading the comments of the ignorant. Wealthy people enjoy American food, too. Even the wealthiest will order a burger and fries on occasion. In fact, the former CEO of a Fortune 100 that I am rather close to will take the family to the classiest and most expensive restaurant in DC and order a burger for himself. He has simple tastes. When I was younger I used to think that I could/would never be wealthy because of my simple tastes. My theory changed once I realized they still put their pants on one leg at a time (unless, of course, they have staff for that).

[Sabreen60]

Isn't interesting how HP allows the Pres!dent and First Lady to be denigrated, but scrubs those who call them out for it.

Way to go HP.

[katieandtom]

i believe it will be very interesting to see MO host a state dinner. very interesting.

[Overbluff]

Wonder if she will give each guest a CD of Barracks speeches?

[Ralph Noyes]

Watch the right-wingers come in and slime this thread, as they always do.

[Chazz27]

They have already started.

[NeoconGal]

With his daily drug intake it's a wonder Kennedy could taste anything.

[GunneraGirl]

my father had the same disease that JFK had and took the same medicines. he could taste just fine, thank you very much.

[PhilipB]

Well said.

[drjay79]

If you aspire to high fat meals with cigarettes between courses. The Obamas do a much better job of being mentors of good living.

[katieandtom]

JKO had phenomenal taste, class and elegance that comes with breeding and training. no one can top her. MO is learning and trying, good for her. hope she has a top notch team to help guide her.

[Bluebell1]

Very well said. The Kennedys were the real deal. They didn't have to brag about, or constantly publicize, their naturally refined taste. The real mark of class.

[antaeus]

"JKO had phenomenal taste, class and elegance that comes with" the bank account that enables one to express taste, "class," and elegance.

[Overbluff]

She has a staff of 21 to help her with the fork placement.

[BlueZoo]

What to serve at the Indian State Dinner? Anything American and absolutely NOTHING Indian! We have some of the world's best wines and need to promote them. Trust in the chef at the White House! That's why you hired her!

[SouthernWisdom]

Sad to see that good taste is no longer in fashion at the WH. The Kennedys came from very good families so they grew up eating well. But still there is no excuse for such poor taste.

[ILB]

Oh and why is that? Please tell us.

[GunneraGirl]

By no means did Jackie Bouvier come from a 'good' family!!! Her father was quite ... ahem ... the character.

[katieandtom]

she was the deb of her season, i dont think that would have happened without a "good family" background. yes i know black jack was a rascal and a loser, but society seemed to pretty much ignore that fact.

[myjs]

Alcoholic. I believe he was so drunk he couldn't even walk her down the aisle at her wedding.

Money does not equal good taste or good people.

[GunneraGirl]

and just what 'poor taste' is that that you must take issue with it?

[katieandtom]

dear southern, not many people understand good taste, manners, etiquette and grace anymore. it is becoming a lost art. i agree with your notation of poor taste.

[oldandweary]

It is not surprising that judgemental h@tred, petty jealousy, ignorance, and arrogance are alive and well in your pathetic corner of the woods. Obviously, you exemplify poor manners with your comments, and your disdain of the Presidency is a testament to your low-class upbringing and ignorance. Bigotry is alive and well in your southern 'white house'.

[katieandtom]

who r u talking to oldnweary?

[PlanoBlue]

Pickles and Swiss cheese roll-ups. Lime Jello for dessert.

[wish4change]

Everytime HP tries to compare the Obama's with the Kennedy's it just points out the stark differences in the two couples. The Obama's aren't even Kennedy light - give up people and be happy with what you've got.

[maiali]

Jacqueline Kennedy's black ancestry:
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/secret/famous/vansallees.html