March 29, 2024

Tastemakers: The Inaugural Balls

Jan. 18, 2009
Okay, history is being made this week with Barrack Obama becoming the first African-American President of the United States. President Obama is poised to possibly become one of the greatest presidents of all time, if he is successful in leading this country out of if its current doldrums. Faced with a multitude of challenges -- including two wars and one of the worst financial crises the country has ever seen -- the Obama administration has its work cut out for them.
But they can get started on all of that next week, because this week is really all about food, fashion, frolic, footwear and froo-froo drinks. At the center of it all are the Inaugural Balls; yes there is more than one. In fact there are 10 official Inaugural Balls on Tuesday (no word on how many the President and First Lady will attend, though speculation is they will make appearances at them all) and there will be hundreds of “unofficial inaugural balls” in Washington D.C. and around the country.
Now, getting information about these Inaugural Balls is about as hard as getting an invitation. There are a half dozen websites claiming to be the “official inaugural websites.” Of course nothing in our country gets done without a committee and there is a Presidential Inaugural Committee (PIC) in charge of all the events and the Balls.
When I contacted the committee about attending any of these functions they said they would get back to me. I asked about the menus for the dinners and they were still unsure on the details. The spokesperson told me that most are heavy on hors d’oeuvres and open bars with top shelf liquors, wines and champagnes. I inquired about cold beer and she was sure they would have beer, but unsure if it would be microbrews.
She did fax me the menu for the Inaugural Luncheon which takes place at the Capitol after the swearing-in ceremony and before the parade on Tuesday. The first course is a Seafood Stew paired with a 2007 Duckhorn Vineyards Napa Valley Sauvignon Blanc. The second course is A Brace of American Birds (pheasant and duck), served with Sour Cherry Chutney and Molasses Sweet Potatoes paired with 2005 Goldeneye, Pinot Noir from the Anderson Valley (two hours north of San Francisco). Finally, the dessert course will feature Apple Cinnamon Sponge Cake and Sweet Cream Glacé paired with Korbel Natural “Special Inaugural Cuvée,” California Bubbly.
Wow, this guy has good taste -- that is for sure. Our outgoing president quit drinking alcohol years before he took the office. I have read mixed reports on President Obama and his drinking habits. I hear he enjoys an occasional margarita, and while not his favorite, he has been known to have a beer or glass of wine. I also have been told he does not drink alcohol at all as a result of his over-consumption during his youth.
Regardless of his drinking habits, I have read that President Obama is considering supporting legislation to lower the drinking age to 18 in this country. This is in line with the views of several experts who support such legislation.
In Northern Michigan there are several inaugural celebrations planned. Black Star Farms, along with Silvertree Deli, are hosting a dinner featuring Obama sparkling wine from L Mawby Vineyards on Tuesday night. The menu will consist of the president’s favorite chili and peach cobbler.
So here is a toast to President Obama and his administration. May you enjoy this day, drink up and be merry. Then get your butts busy. Roll up those sleeves and lead this country into prosperity.

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