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Tuesday, January 22, 2013

President Obama Gives Thanks At Staff Inaugural Ball; Lady Gaga And Tony Bennett Headline

"Lady Gaga's fired up," says President; proceeds from event go to  memorial fund for deceased staffer...with video...
Lady Gaga and Tony Bennett headlined President Obama's Staff Inaugural Ball on Tuesday night at the Washington Convention Center, the final party of the 57th Presidential Inauguration.  Accompanied by First Lady Michelle Obama, the President arrived minutes before 9:00 PM to thank thousands of volunteers and staff, who'd been informed shortly before in an email from hosts the Presidential Inaugural Committee (PIC) that Gaga was indeed performing. (Above, Gaga and Bennett duet on "The Lady is a Tramp" in a photo tweeted by her digital media team)

"You all clean up pretty good,” the President said to the crowd of between 10-15,000 as he took the stage.  "My main job here tonight is really simple: It’s just to say thank you.  All of you have come to represent for me and Michelle our deepest hopes for America." 

Guests were Obama for America staff, White House and Administration staff, and Presidential Inaugural Committee staff, according to PIC, and they paid $10 per ticket.  Gaga's appearance at the Ball was the subject of much speculation since it was tipped to media last week, and staffers were thrilled to find out it was true.  The superstar tweeted "#WhiteHausBall" at 7:15 PM, and from there Twitter took off with Gaga fans retweeting images of her performance.  Staffers used the hashtag #Staffball.   (Above, the President and Mrs. Obama greet supporters)

Mrs. Obama wore a glittering top and black bell bottom pants, her hair pulled back, and the President mentioned her fringy new bangs, the subject of headlines since it was first unveiled last week, as he introduced his wife to the crowd.

"Here's the First Lady, bangs and all, looking very sparkly!" President Obama said. 


Vice President Joe Biden and Dr. Jill Biden spoke to the thrilled crowd before the President arrived. Proceeds from the Ball go to a memorial fund in memory of Alex Okrent, a 29-year-old paid campaign staffer who died after collapsing at the Chicago headquarters last July.  He'd worked for Mr. Obama since his 2004 run for the Senate, and specialized in paid advertisements. (Above, Gaga singing "Born This Way")

President Obama called Okrent's early demise "heartbreaking" as he paid tribute.

"Alex was one of you," President Obama said.  "This incredibly thoughtful, talented, compassionate, caring young person who decided to get involved because he thought he could make a difference...it reminded us of how precious our time on this earth is.” 

The crowd, who were held back from the stage in the massive hall by a blue fabric barrier, serendaded the First Couple with an impromptu rendition of  "Signed, Sealed, Delivered, I'm Yours," one of the many campaign theme songs.

The President' speech ended with the campaign call-and response:  "Fired up! Ready to go!," with the crowd chanting it over and over.

"I think Lady Gaga’s fired up, too,” President Obama said, and with that the superstar took the stage.  The President was back at the White House at 9:53 PM, and the party raged on.


Gaga wore her white-blonde hair partially pulled back, and a dramatic white costume with "bubbles" on it and a full skirt.  She sang a number of her hits, including "Born This Way,"  "You and I" and " Edge Of Glory" while seated at a dramatic white piano.   That was followed by a duet with Bennett, singing his signature "The Lady Is A Tramp."  (Above:  Gaga performs "Edge of Glory")

Gaga paused between songs to comment on President Obama's reelection, and to thank him for his support of LGBT initiatives.  She dedicated "Born This Way" to him.

"Here's to a beautiful and prosperous second term," Gaga said.  


Before doing an encore of "You and I," Gaga told the crowd "He won.  Twice."

Even Bennett got in on the Twitter action: "On a date with my Lady tonight... "@ladygaga: #whitehausball”' he wrote on his @ItsTonyBennett account. 

Some of Gaga's fans thought the Ball was at the White House, as noted on this video of her singing "Born This Way":


The Ball Food...
The food at the Ball was simple:  Pretzels and chips--and one 500-pound cheesecake, a masterpiece created by Eli's Cheesecake Company, which is headquartered in the Obamas' hometown of Chicago.  

The gargantuan cake featured a replica of the Capitol Dome on top, complete with the gold Statue of Freedom, and the Presidential Seal, with the names "Obama" and "Biden" added.   The cake also got plenty of tweets.

"Michelle wasn't joking on her food initiative. Were only eating pretzels and cake tonight," tweeted @ClotureClub (sic) with a photo of sliced cheesecake and pretzels.   The liquor, however, was flowing: "‏I just ordered "vodka and vodka" on a mixed drink ticket and it worked. #staffball," tweeted @ejacqui.

The other Inaugural Balls...
On Monday night, the President and Mrs. Obama attended the only two other official inaugural balls,  The Inaugural Ball and The Commander-in Chief's Ball, where they had their first dance of the second term, as Mrs. Obama wore a custom-made, ruby-red  Jason Wu gown, anointing the young designer for a second time.  Those Balls were also star-studded, with Alicia Keys, Stevie Wonder, John Legend, fun., Chris Cornell, Smokey Robinson and a host of other stars performing.  (Above, a long shot of the Staff Ball crowd as the President and Mrs. Obama stood on stage)

After, the President and Mrs. Obama partied until well after 3:00 AM at the White House at their own private, closed-press after party, where guests included Cabinet Secretaries, Members of Congress and more stars: Beyoncé, Katy Perry, John Mayer, Kelly Clarkson, Alicia Keys and her husband Swizz Beatz, actress Ashley Judd, singer Eric Benet, John Legend and his fiancee, model Chrissy Teigen.


 The inaugural festivities officially kicked off on Saturday, and the President returns to business as usual on Wednesday.  He's scheduled to have his traditional closed-press luncheon with the Vice President...and is now staring down the debt ceiling and gun control.  The inaugural celebration was swell while it lasted.  (Above:  The Bidens speak to the crowd at the Ball)

CLICK HERE for links to all inauguration posts.

*Top photo by @Tiffany_Worthy; second by @TomyKMonster, from Lady Gaga's digital media team; third by @GagaChapel; fourth by @BTWTyson; crowd photo by @JulianJMiller; Biden photo by Ta'Kindra Westbrook ‏

500-Pound Eli's Cheesecake Is Signed, Sealed And Delivered At Pres. Obama's Staff Inaugural Ball

Giant cake at the President's last inaugural party shares the spotlight with Lady Gaga and Tony Bennett...
Global superstar Lady Gaga and Tony Bennett headlined President Obama's Staff Inaugural Ball on Tuesday night at the Washington Convention Center, the final party of the 57th Presidential Inauguration.  And the 500-pound cake created by Eli's Cheesecake Company of Chicago was the star of the menu:  The magnificent creation had nothing else to compete with, save for pretzels and chips.  The President and First Lady Michelle Obama arrived minutes before 9:00 PM, but Twitter was already abuzz with thrilled guests posting photos of the stunning cake, which was topped with a replica of the Capitol Dome that included the gold Statue of Freedom on top.

"My main job here tonight is really simple: It’s just to say thank you," President Obama told his guests, who numbered between 10-15,000. "All of you have come to represent for me and Michelle our deepest hopes for America." 

The crowd at the Ball serenaded the President and First Lady with one of the campaign's anthems, Signed, Sealed, Delivered, I'm Yours, and they also got a real taste of Sweet Home Chicago. The cake was so tall that Eli's executive pastry chef Laurel Bolger needed a stepladder to place the Statue of Freedom on top of the Dome.

"We're very proud, since the President is from Chicago, and so many staff are too,"
company president Marc Schulman, son of founder Eli Schulman, told Obama Foodorama. 

"It is very meaningful.  There are so many events, and we're honored to play a small role."

Baked at Eli's Chicago headquarters, the gargantuan cake was covered in 100 pounds of buttercream frosting, with the layers alternating between chocolate chip and "original plain" cheesecake, Eli's most popular flavors.  

The behemoth used 155 pounds of cream cheese, 50 pounds of butter, 45 pounds of sugar, 40 pounds of sour cream, 20 pounds of flour, 15 pounds of chocolate chips, 5 pounds of powdered sugar, 20 dozen eggs, and two cups of Madagascar vanilla, in addition to the 100 pounds of buttercream frosting.

The cake also featured a blue and white Presidential Seal and gold stars, and today Bolger added the words "Obama" and "Biden" to the seal as she put the finishing touches on.  

Other Eli's cheesecakes were also offered to the guests, who were White House and Administration staff, Obama for America staff, and Presidential Inaugural Committee staff. Proceeds from the $10 ticket sales go to a memorial fund in honor of Alex Okrent, a Campaign staffer who collapsed and died at the Chicago campaign headquarters last July.

Monday, Inauguration Day, would have been Eli Schulman's 103rd bithday, Schulman said, so he was especially proud.

 A culinary icon in the Windy City, Eli's has been selling cheesecake since 1980 when the senior Schlman started offering the treat at his legendary Eli's The Place for Steak, and has provided cakes for three other inaugurations, including for President Obama's first, when they  created an extravaganza for the Commander-in-Chief's Ball (that honor this year went to Duff Goldman's Charm City Cakes).  Both of President Bill Clinton's inaugurations, in 1993 and 1997, featured Eli's cheesecakes.  (Above, Bolger holds the Statue of Freedom)

After baking the cake in Eli's Chicago headquarters, Bolger departed on Monday afternoon and drove with the cake overnight the more than 700 miles to DC, arriving this morning to get to work at the Convention Center. 

President Obama was already an Eli's fanHe proudly posed with a chocolate-covered Eli's cheesecake created for President Abraham Lincoln's Bicentennial Birthday Banquet in February of 2009, in Springfield, Ill.The President gave the keynote, and dined on the cheesecake with the many guests.  Mini versions of the centerpiece cake were topped with edible Lincoln pennies, and there was also a cheesecake in the shape of Lincoln's humble childhood home.


The other Inaugural Balls...
On Monday night, the President and Mrs. Obama attended the only two other official inaugural balls,  The Inaugural Ball and The Commander-in Chief's Ball, where they had their first dance of the second term, as Mrs. Obama wore a custom-made, ruby-red  Jason Wu gown, anointing the young designer for a second time.  Those Balls were also star-studded, with Alicia Keys, Stevie Wonder, John Legend, fun., Chris Cornell, Smokey Robinson and a host of other stars performing.  (Above, a long shot of the Staff Ball crowd as the President and Mrs. Obama stood on stage)

After, the President and Mrs. Obama partied until well after 3:00 AM at the White House at their own private, closed-press after party, where guests included Cabinet Secretaries, Members of Congress and more stars: Beyoncé, Katy Perry, John Mayer, Kelly Clarkson, Alicia Keys and her husband Swizz Beatz, actress Ashley Judd, singer Eric Benet, John Legend and his fiancee, model Chrissy Teigen.  


Eli's ships their cheesecakes and other desserts around the US;  the website is here.  

*Photos courtesy of Eli's Cheesecake Company 

Lady Gaga Performance Confirmed For President Obama's Staff Inaugural Ball

Proceeds from $10 tickets will go to charitable foundation...
UPDATE: CLICK HERE for the post about the Ball
Less than an hour before President Obama was scheduled to head to the Washington Convention Center at 9:00 PM on Tuesday for the Staff Inaugural Ball, Lady Gaga's performance was confirmed by the Presidential Inaugural Committee via a White House email to reporters.  But the superstar's media team had already started tweeting about her appearance, including posting the photo above of the piano Gaga will use to perform.  Gaga herself tweeted "#WhiteHausBall" at 7:15 PM.

"Tonight, the Presidential Inaugural Committee is hosting the Staff Ball, a tradition started by the President and First Lady at their 2009 Inaugural as a way to thank their staff and celebrate with them," read the White House email with background information on the party.

"Obama for America staff, White House/administration staff, and PIC staff were invited to attend tonight's ball and tickets were purchased at a price of $10. The guests attending tonight's event were just informed that Lady Gaga will perform at the Ball, in an email sent out by the PIC's Executive Director David Cusack. All proceeds from tonight's concert will go to the Alex Okrent Memorial Fund."

Gaga's performance was first tipped to The Hollywood Reporter and AP by an "inaugural source" earlier this week, but was not officially announced by organizers.





*Photo by @TomyKMonster, Admin of @GagaMediaDotNet.

Beyoncé's Inaugural Performance Creates More Drama For The White House

The megastar's inclusion in the inauguration had already outraged public health advocates...
Popstar Beyoncé is getting headlines around the globe today after it was confirmed that she lip-synced the National Anthem at Monday's swearing-in ceremony.  The superstar taking center stage at President Obama's second inaugural was already under fire from public health advocates, thanks to her being PepsiCo's global spokesman.  As she stood before a crowd of close to a million people packed onto the National Mall, Beyoncé seems to have moved her lips to her own pre-recorded version of the song, reported The Washingtonian.  The "President's Own" Marine Corps Band also faux-played their instruments while "accompanying."  A Marine Corps spokesman confirmed the faux instrument playing.  (Above, the story starred above the banner on Drudge Report today)

Beyoncé got a hug and kiss from the President after her performance, and a two-fisted cheer from First Lady Michelle Obama--and a big grin from Malia--as she squeezed by on the inaugural platform after the song was over (above).

The White House last week disabled a petition posted to the We the People site that called for Beyoncé to be "disinvited" from the inaugural ceremony thanks to her PepsiCo deal, saying the petition was a "violation of our Terms of Participation."  Posted by environmental and health activist Laurie David, the petition had 500 signatures when the White House ditched it.  Beyoncé's former work with the Let's Move! campaign has horrified public health advocates.

White House spokesman Shin Inouye told Obama Foodorama that the petition was removed not due to any controversy, but simply because Beyoncé's inaugural performance was "not something the White House actually has jurisdiction over."


"Since the Presidential Inaugural Committee is a whole separate entity that handles the inauguration...the White House doesn't control who is singing at the Inaugural ceremony," Inouye said.  


Or, apparently, who is lip-syncing.

*The screenshot at top is the featured headline on Drudge Report today.  Beyoncé photo by Obama Foodorama.

President Obama, First Lady Host Star-Studded Inauguration After Party At The White House

The White House rocked until after 3:00 AM, and celebs hit Twitter...
After they attended the two official Inaugural Balls at the Convention Center on Monday night, President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama welcomed hundreds of high-profile guests--and celebrities--to the White House for an exclusive after-party that rocked the historic mansion until after 3:00 AM.  Guests included Beyoncé, Katy Perry, John Mayer, Kelly Clarkson, Alicia Keys and her husband Swizz Beatz, actress Ashley Judd, singer Eric Benet John Legend and his fiancee, model Chrissy Teigen.  Still wearing her custom-made Jason Wu gown, the First Lady danced the night away, as did the President, his white bow tie discarded. Above, Hip Hop artist Beatz tweeted this photo of himself with the President.

"Just partied at the White House. I kid you not, Michelle Obama stood up and got the party started...seriously cool First Lady," Clarkson, who belted My Country 'Tis of Thee at the swearing-in ceremony, tweeted just before midnight. 


"Just left the White House," Perry wrote at 3:00 AM. "All other parties from here on our will be judged unless they take place at the White House."

The photo above of Mrs. Obama dancing to Beyoncé's All the Single Ladies was tweeted by India Benet (in blue) the teenage daughter of singer Benet, who performed at the party. "DANCING WITH THE FIRST LADY TO SINGLE LADIES!!! WHAT IS LIFE??!!?? @ The White House," Benet tweeted.

Actor Kal Penn of Harold and Kumar fame, is visible in the background. In another tweet, Benet wrote "Ok someone just farted next to me in the White House. I think it was John Kerry."


Above, a photo tweeted by India Benet of herself and dad Eric, with John Mayer and Katy Perry, who headlined Mrs. Obama's Kids' Inaugural concert on Saturday.

The Obamas' guests had the run of the White House; Beatz tweeted a photo of himself sitting alone in the private White House screening room, while Benet also tweeted a photo of herself in the far reaches of the East Wing.

"On chill in The White House movie Room  all red everything :) wow what a night.......," Beatz wrote.


Model Teigen, who partied with White House chef Sam Kass on Friday night, tweeted the photo, above, of herself and Legend at the White House party.  He'd performed at the Inaugural Balls. Earlier on Monday, the couple attended the President's Inaugural Luncheon at the Capitol, part of an exclusive crowd of just 220 guests.

"I don't even know what to say. It's 3:15am and I just teared up seeing our president getting down at the white house," Teigen tweeted.  "Holy cow," she wrote with a link to the photo.
 

Keys, who changed the lyrics to her hit song Girl on Fire to "Obama's on Fire" for her performance at the Inaugural Balls, today tweeted the Instagram above of herself with the Obamas and her husband Beatz, backstage at the Convention Center.

"Yesterday was spectacular!!! Still pinching myself!! ;-) Obama's on FIYAH!! ;-)," Keys tweeted with the photo link.

Actress Judd, who may or may not be running for a Congressional seat in her homestate of Kentucky, didn't tweet photos, but today wrote on Twitter:  

"Hopefully I'lli have some photos to share. It was elegant, warm, fun, & then an amazingly joyful house party. We had such a magical night."

The First Couple has one more inauguration party on Tuesday night, when they will attend the Staff Inaugural Ball at the Convention Center.  The fesitivities will star a 500-pound cheesecake from Eli's Cheesecake Company in Chicago.  And Lady Gaga...


















The Cake For The Commander-in-Chief's Ball

A "little party" to thank military service members, President says...
Baltimore's Charm City Cakes, owned by Ace of Cakes star Duff Goldman, created a stunning cake for Monday night's Commander-in-Chief's Ball, where President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama had their very first dance of the second term.  Charm City today tweeted this Instagram from the Ball.  

"This little party is just another way to say something we can never say enough:  Thank you," President Obama told the cheering crowd, many of whom wore dress uniform.

 The patriotically decorated cake layers were red velvet, lemon poppy seed, pineapple coconut, and pumpkin chocolate-chip.  Guests were active duty service members, Wounded Warriors, veterans, Medal of Honor recipients and their families, as well as Tuskegee Airmen and Gold Star families.

The President and Mrs. Obama--clad in a custom-made Jason Wu gown--had their first dance as Jennifer Hudson sang Let's Stay Together, and then had a second dance, partnering with active duty military:  The President danced with Staff Sergeant Bria D. Nelson of the Air Force, and the First Lady was led around the stage by Gunnery Sergeant Timothy D. Easterling of the Marine Corps (above).

"The cake we were honored to create for the Commander-in-Chief Ball," Charm City tweeted with the photo.

*Cake photo by Charm City Cakes; dance photo by AFP

Monday, January 21, 2013

President Obama And First Lady Celebrate At Inaugural Balls, Pay Tribute To Armed Forces

Mrs. Obama again selects Jason Wu as her inaugural gown designer...
 UPDATE: The White House after-party was filled with celebs...
About 40,000 revelers filled every hall in the Washington Convention Center on Monday night, celebrating President Obama's second inauguration at the Commander-in-Chief's Ball and The Inaugural Ball.  The man of the hour arrived with First Lady Michelle Obama at 8:48 PM, and they made their first appearance of the night at the Commander-in-Chief's Ball about a half hour later, where the President, cald in white tie, paid tribute to America's armed forces.

"This little party is just another way to say something we can never say enough:  Thank you," President Obama said to the crowd, many of whom wore dress uniform.  "Thank you for volunteering.  Thank you for stepping up.  Thank you for keeping us strong.  Thank you for always making us proud.  I have no greater honor than being your Commander-in-Chief."

Mrs. Obama re-anointed American designer Jason Wu by selecting him as her couturier, as she did for the first inaugural in 2009, shooting the then-unknown to fame.  Tonight's gown was a custom-made, ruby colored chiffon and velvet gown, the White House said.   Mrs. Obama also wore "a handmade diamond embellished ring" by jewelry designer Kimberly McDonald.  Her now-famous shaggy bangs hairdo was in soft curls, and her shoes were by Jimmy Choo.

The First Lady's "outfit and accompanying accessories will go to the National Archives," the White House said.  Mr. Obama, who had complimented his wife at the Inaugural Luncheon earlier on Monday, repeated his praise as he introduced her at the Commander-in-Chief's Ball.

"I said today at the lunch over at the Congress that some may dispute the quality of our President, but nobody disputes the quality of our First Lady," President  Obama said, to cheers and applause.

"She inspires me every day.  She makes me a better man and a better President.  The fact that she is so devoted to taking care of our troops and our military families is just one more sign of her extraordinary love and grace and strength.  I'm just lucky to have her."

Guest at the military Ball were the Joint Chiefs of Staff,  Veterans Affairs Secretary Shinseki, active service members, veterans, Wounded Warriors, Medal of Honor recipients from all branches of the service and their families, Tuskegee Airmen, and Gold Star families.  Before dancing with his wife, the President hailed the US military as the best in the world, and pledged his continued support for returning veterans.  He also spoke by livestream to a group of active duty service members in Kandahar before the dancing began.

"It’s because of you that with honor we were able to end the war in Iraq.  Because of you that we delivered justice to Osama bin Laden," President Obama told the crowd.   "Because of you that it’s even possible to give Afghans a chance to determine their own destiny.  We are going forward, and we’ll keep our military the finest fighting force that the world has ever known."

Mrs. Obama's Jimmy Choos were clearly made for dancing:  The President and First Lady had their first dance at 9:21 PM as Jennifer Hudson serenaded them with Al Green's Let's Stay Together.  They sang along with Hudson as they danced, and waved at the crowd; hundreds of guests held cell phones aloft to record history. 

After, Mrs. Obama wrote "Just danced to "Let's Stay Together" with the love of my life and the President of the United States. I’m so proud of Barack. –mo," on her @FLOTUS twitter account.


For the second dance of the evening, President Obama partnered with Staff Sergeant Bria D. Nelson of the Air Force, and the First Lady was led around the stage by Gunnery Sergeant Timothy D. Easterling of the Marine Corps (above).

They were chosen by senior enlisted leaders from the Joint Task Force-National Capital Region, based on factors including combat experience and volunteer efforts, the White House said.  The First Couple chatted with their partners as they danced, and gave them kisses on the cheek when it was over.   Ace of Cakes celebrity baker Duff Goldman created a huge cake for the Commander-in-Chief's ball, but the First Couple were not spotted anywhere near it.

Then it was on to the Inaugural Ball at 9:55 PM, where Hudson magically reappeared and the Obamas took to the stage for their third dance of the evening, dancing to the same song as for their first dance.   The President made no remarks, simply holding his wife's hand and waving to the thrilled crowd.   First Grandmother Marian Robinson and Senior Advisor Valerie Jarrett were spotted close to the stage, looking on.  Smokey Robinson took the stage as the Obamas finished their dance, and departed to a chorus of excited screaming.


In another hall, Vice President Joe Biden and Dr. Jill Biden had their first dance, as Jamie Foxx accompanied himself on piano and crooned I Can't Stop Loving You.  Dr. Biden wore a blue gown with a cowl neckline and a sash around the waist.  The Second Couple kissed as they danced.  The Vice President later danced with Army Staff Sergeant Keesha Nicole Dentino, while Dr. Jill Biden danced with Petty Officer Patrick Figueroa of the Navy (above).

Other performers at the Balls included Alicia Keys, who thrilled the crowd by changing the words of her hit Girl On Fire to "Obama is on fire."  Chris Cornell, fun., Stevie Wonder, Marc Anthony, and Sound Garden were all scheduled to perform, too.




After a day full of action that began early in the morning, the President and Mrs. Obama were in the motorcade and rolling back to the White House by 10:05 PM, and arrived home at 10:12 PM.

Tuesday finishes the inaugural celebration, with a prayer service at the National Cathedral in the morning.  In the evening, the President and Mrs. Obama will attend the Staff Inaugural Ball, also at the Convention Center, where a 500-pound cake from Eli's Cheesecake Company in Chicago awaits.  The final event of the President's second inauguration is designed to thank all the staff and volunteers who worked on the campaigns.

CLICK HERE for all inauguration posts.

*Photos by AP/pool; last photo by Presidential Inaugural Committee

Lobster, Bison, And Apple Pie Star On President Obama's 2013 Inaugural Luncheon Menu

The three-course farm-to-table fete in National Statuary Hall featured lobster tail, bison, and Hudson Valley Apple Pie...
After President Obama was sworn in and delivered his Second Inaugural Address on Monday, Jan. 21, he was wined and dined at the Inaugural Luncheon in the historic National Statuary Hall at the US Capitol.  The hourlong luncheon for 220 guests, including Cabinet Secretaries, Supreme Court Justices and lawmakers from both Chambers, is a tradition that dates to 1897.   (Above, the President and Mrs. Obama at the head table with House Speaker John Boehner)

The President and First Lady Michelle Obama sat together at the center of the Head Table.  House Speaker John Boehner sat on Mrs. Obama's left, and Vice President Joe Biden was on the President's right, seated beside his wife, Dr. Jill Biden.

The luncheon breaks with the tradition of serving dishes honoring past presidents, and is instead celebrating the theme of the inauguration, "Faith in America’s Future." Artisanal, sustainable and, where possible, local foods were used, though some items come from the West.  The three-course farm-to-table menu was created by Executive Chef Shannon Shaffer of Design Cuisine in Arlington, Va.  All the details on the sourcing for the menu are here


The luncheon began with steamed lobster tail topped with a New England clam chowder sauce, placed atop vegetables.  Hickory grilled bison tenderloin (sourced from South Dakota) with a wild huckleberry reduction was the entree, joined by vegetable sides, including a red potato horseradish cake.  The grand finish was President Obama's favorite dessert, pie: Hudson Valley Apple Pie, with sour cream ice cream and maple caramel sauce, accompanied by artisan cheeses and honeycomb.  Wines are from New York and California.


The meal spotlighted small and artisan farmers and food producers from New York, thanks to Sen. Charles Schumer (D-NY) being Chairman of the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies, the luncheon's hosts.

President Obama's 2013 Inaugural Luncheon Menu

First 
Steamed Lobster
with New England Clam Chowder Sauce

Served on Sauteed Spinach 
with Sweet Potato Hay

Wine:  Tierce 2009 Finger Lakes Dry Riesling (NY)

Main 
Hickory Grilled Bison
with Wild Huckleberry Reduction

Strawberry Preserve and Red Cabbage
 
Red Potato Horseradish Cake

Baby Golden Beets and Green Beans

Butternut Squash Purée 

Wine: Bedell Cellars 2009 Merlot (Long Island, NY)

Dessert
Hudson Valley Apple Pie with Sour Cream Ice Cream
with Maple Caramel Sauce

Aged Cheeses and Honeycomb
Toma Celena and Jersey Girl Colby,  
Cooperstown Cheese Company (Milford, NY)

Wine:  Korbel Natural, Special Inaugural Cuvée Champagne (California)



The luncheon will include speeches, toasts, and a presentation of specially selected inaugural gifts for the President and Vice President.  (Above, the lobster course)

The hosts members of the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies include Senator Lamar Alexander (R-TN), House Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-VA), Speaker of the House John Boehner (R-OH), Chairman Sen. Charles Schumer (D-NY), House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV).

Floral designs for the luncheon were created by Jack H. Lucky Floral Designs, Inc. of Arlington, Virginia.  The centerpieces on the tables will be "Free Spirit" roses in corals and salmons.  Tablecloths will be cerulean blue.

_________
*Updated from Jan. 8, 2013

*Photo at top by AP; bison photo by Chef Shannon Shaffer, Design Cuisine; other photos by Brendan Hoffman

President Obama Is Sworn In For Second Time

Above, a White House photo of President Obama's second swearing-in ceremony on Monday at the US Capitol.  First Lady Obama held President Lincoln's Bible dating to 1861, placed atop Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s "traveling Bible."  Supreme Court Chief Justice John. G. Roberts, Jr. re-administered the oath of office, as he did on Sunday during the private White House ceremony.

*White House photo by Sonya N. Hebert

President Obama, First Lady Host Early Morning Coffee For Congressional Leaders

Lawmakers masterminding today's ceremony visit White House...
Before departing for the inauguration ceremony on Capitol Hill on Monday morning, President Obama and First Lady Obama welcomed the bipartisan lawmakers who organized today's events to the White House.  "The President and First Lady had tea and coffee with the leadership of the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies and their spouses," as well as members of the Committee's staff, said a White House official. 

The bipartisan Committee members include Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY), chairman; Sen. Lamar Alexander, House Majority Leader Eric Cantor, Speaker of the House John A. Boehner,  House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid

Above, from left, Cantor, Boehner, Schumer, Pelosi.

CLICK HERE for links to all inauguration posts.

*US Senate photo.