President Obama greeted each of the winning recipes’ creators. No word on whether he grabbed a few kale chips on his way back to the Oval Office. Photograph by Leslie Milk.
The first White House State Dinner for Kids was actually a lunch. But the 54 young
invitees, who represented the 50 states, the District of Columbia, and three US territories—and
who were all winners of a healthy recipe contest sponsored by the White House and
Epicurious—were perfectly happy to chow down with First Lady Michelle Obama at any hour.
The Healthy Lunchtime Challenge inspired young cooks and their families to invent
their own fruit- and vegetable-laden dishes. Six of the winning recipes, selected
by a panel of judges that included DC chef José Andrés, were prepared by the White House chefs for the event.
“I would have helped, but I was getting my makeup done,” Mrs. Obama told the group.
President Obama made a brief “surprise” appearance to congratulate the winners. His own culinary skills
are limited to omelets and chili, he said.
One of the local winners, Madeleine Steppel, age nine, of Reston, Virginia, won with a recipe for fish chowder. She said it was
inspired by a recipe for creamless asparagus soup created by Virginia senator Mark Warner for a “celebrate Virginia” cookbook. Steppel’s favorite food: olives.
After lunch, the kids and their parents toured the White House vegetable garden.
Note to aspiring journalists: There’s nothing quite so glamorous as covering a White
House event at which you spend two hours watching other people eat. We did get to
taste the kale chip appetizer, though.
Local Children Among the Winners of the White House’s Healthy Recipe Contest
José Andrés was among the judges selecting the winning recipes served at the first White House State Dinner for Kids.
The first White House State Dinner for Kids was actually a lunch. But the 54 young
invitees, who represented the 50 states, the District of Columbia, and three US territories—and
who were all winners of a healthy recipe contest sponsored by the White House and
Epicurious—were perfectly happy to chow down with First Lady
Michelle Obama at any hour.
The Healthy Lunchtime Challenge inspired young cooks and their families to invent
their own fruit- and vegetable-laden dishes. Six of the winning recipes, selected
by a panel of judges that included DC chef
José Andrés, were prepared by the White House chefs for the event.
“I would have helped, but I was getting my makeup done,” Mrs. Obama told the group.
President Obama made a brief “surprise” appearance to congratulate the winners. His own culinary skills
are limited to omelets and chili, he said.
One of the local winners,
Madeleine Steppel, age nine, of Reston, Virginia, won with a recipe for fish chowder. She said it was
inspired by a recipe for creamless asparagus soup created by Virginia senator
Mark Warner for a “celebrate Virginia” cookbook. Steppel’s favorite food: olives.
After lunch, the kids and their parents toured the White House vegetable garden.
Note to aspiring journalists: There’s nothing quite so glamorous as covering a White
House event at which you spend two hours watching other people eat. We did get to
taste the kale chip appetizer, though.
Most Popular in News & Politics
How to See the Total Lunar Eclipse Happening Sunday
The Untold Story of the White House’s Weirdly Hip Record Collection
RIP Trump International, DC’s Wildest Hotel
Washington DC’s 500 Most Influential People
Meet Some of the Fans Who Waited Hours to See Johnny Depp and Amber Heard in Fairfax
Washingtonian Magazine
May 2022: Fantastic Foodie Getaways
View IssueSubscribe
Follow Us on Social
Follow Us on Social
Related
LGBTQ Pioneer Barney Frank’s Story Is Now a Graphic Novel
Inside the Effort to Revamp the DC Archives
This DC Poet Was Once the USSR’s Biggest Kid Actor
Guest List: 5 People We’d Love to Hang Out With This May
More from News & Politics
Sherri Dalphonse Named Editor of Washingtonian
Blossom Alert: the Peonies at Seneca Creek State Park Will Be at Peak Soon
A Blood Moon and Rainbow: Photos of Last Night’s Spectacular Sky Events in DC
The Trucker Convoy Will Return to Hagerstown on Tuesday
LGBTQ Pioneer Barney Frank’s Story Is Now a Graphic Novel
MAP: Saturday’s National Mall Street Closures
How to See the Total Lunar Eclipse Happening Sunday
An Old Question Returns to Washington: Is It Ever Okay to Protest in Front of Someone’s Home?