Mass historical society 'dinner with the president' Food, politics, and a history of breaking bread at the white house with alex prud'homme (5:30 in-person refreshments; PRogram 6:00)
This is a hybrid event- indicate preference at time of registration $10 in person for Members (free for Members of Mass Historical)
The in-person reception starts at 5:30, the program will begin at 6:00.
DINNER WITH THE PRESIDENT is a narrative history of American food, politics, and twenty-six presidents, from George Washington starving at Valley Forge in 1777 to Donald Trump's burger banquets, and Joe Biden's “performance enhancing” ice cream in 2022. The White House is the most important home in the world, and the meals served there communicate many things: the meals our leaders eat, who prepares and consumes them, and the context of presidential gatherings semaphore one set of signals; the Chief Executive’s food policies send a different set of signals. Taken together, these messages touch on everything from personal nutrition to the evolution of American taste (squirrel stew, jellybeans, kale), local politics, global diplomacy, climate change, war, race, class, gender, and the like. At the White House, every meal, every bite, has consequences – some intended, some not.
This book was inspired by a series of events. The first was Julia Child’s televised visits to state dinners in 1967 (hosted by Lyndon B. Johnson) and 1976 (Gerald Ford’s bicentennial celebration with Queen Elizabeth). The second was a private tour of the White House, offered by chance during the Obama administration, which I found unexpectedly moving. These moments dovetailed with my personal history – I was raised in a family of cooks where history and politics were often debated at the table – and led me, almost inevitably, to write this book.
Meet on Zoom or at Mass Historical Society, 1154 Boylston Street, at 5:30 p.m. for light refreshments;
program begins at 6 p.m.
MBTA: Closest stop is Hynes Convention Center (Green Line)
BHV members, their guests, and prospective members. $10 in person, no cost for the virtual program.
BHV COVID POLICY
By registering and/or participating in any BHV in-person event, program, trip, or service (held in or out of doors) you are affirming that you have been fully vaccinated against Covid-19 and that you are not exhibiting, at the time of the event or service, any symptoms of Covid-19 (or any other communicable illness). BHV will always adhere to the current Commonwealth and City of Boston guidelines and/or to the policies of whatever venue we may use. In all cases, Members & guests should follow their own comfort level in participating in any BHV event or service.