Inaugural Luncheon details

The menu and details for the Inaugural Luncheon have been announced.

"The Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies today announced the details for the 2009 Inaugural Luncheon, which will follow the swearing-in of President-elect Barack Obama and Vice President-elect Joe Biden.

The luncheon, hosted by the members of the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies, has been a tradition for more than a century. Approximately 200 guests including the new President, Vice President, members of their families, the Supreme Court, Cabinet designees, and members of Congressional leadership will attend the event in Statuary Hall.The details of the luncheon have been designed to reflect the theme of the 2009 Inaugural ceremonies, 'A New Birth of Freedom,' which celebrates the bicentennial of the birth of President Abraham Lincoln.

The menu, created by Design Cuisine, a catering company based in Arlington, Virginia, draws on historic ties to the Presidency of Abraham Lincoln. Growing up in the frontier regions of Kentucky and Indiana, the sixteenth President favored simple foods including root vegetables and wild game. As his tastes matured, he became fond of stewed and scalloped oysters. For dessert or a snack, nothing pleased him more than a fresh apple or an apple cake.

The wines to be served during the luncheon were produced by some of the finest winemakers in California, the home state of Senator Dianne Feinstein, the Chairman of the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies. Each wine was selected to complement the flavors of the luncheon ingredients."
- DemConWatch

The 2009 inaugural luncheon has been designed to commemorate the bicentennial of the birth of Abraham Lincoln held on Feb. 12, 1809, and will include ingredients upon which Lincoln would have dined. The first course will be served on replicas of the china from the Lincoln Presidency (see below).

The 2009 menu:
First Course: Seafood Stew
Duckhorn Vineyards, 2007 Sauvignon Blanc, Napa Valley

Second Course: A Brace of American Birds (pheasant and duck), served with Sour Cherry Chutney and Molasses Sweet Potatoes
Goldeneye, 2005 Pinot Noir, Anderson Valley

Third Course: Apple Cinnamon Sponge Cake and Sweet Cream Glacé
Korbel Natural "Special Inaugural Cuvée,"California Champagne


Luncheon will be served on the Lincoln China, selected by Mary Todd Lincoln. According to the JFK Library Store, where you can purchase your own complete service, the original "Lincoln China was the Kennedys preferred pattern for dining in the White House. Mary Todd Lincoln was renowned for her enjoyment of shopping, thus she selected the Lincoln White House china shortly after her husband's inauguration. An elegant French design, the Lincoln china combines the American eagle with various decorations in a brilliant color called "solferino". This purple-red hue was invented by the French in 1859 and was very popular among the fashionable hosts of the Lincolns' day." These are all the items available now:
Recipes for the luncheon menu are available for downloading or curosity as well.

The tables will include floral arrangements designed by JLB Floral of Alexandria, Virginia. This is a bit of their work:














The table arrangments will include Red Charlotte roses, Rouge Basier roses, Hot Lady roses, Hot Majolica roses, purple and blue hydrangea, and light blue delphinium in a footed brass compote.

Commenorating all the presidential tables to come before is the current exhibition, "Setting the President's Table" at Mount Vernon from February 16, 2008 through January 21, 2009, get there soon...