Although hoopla surrounding the inauguration on January 20 is expected to be less frantic than it was four years ago, Washington, D.C. is still expecting plenty parties of presidential proportions. Details about more events are begining to trickle in, including the inaugural luncheon — and the menu is already finalized.
About 200 guests will be in attendance, including President Obama, Vice President Biden and their families, plus the Supreme Court, Cabinet members and members of Congressional leadership. The event, which has been a tradition for more than a century, will be hosted by members of the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies.
Arlington, Virginia-based catering firm, Design Cuisine, designed the menu to highlight ingredients from across the country. Paired wines hail from New York, the home state of Sen. Chuck Schumer, the host committee chairman. In a release, Sen. Schumer described the menu’s significance:
“Agriculture has always played a starring role in American culture and has been at the heart of our cuisine since the birth of our nation,” said Schumer. “This Inaugural luncheon menu incorporates foods that the first Americans enjoyed, but with a modern, forward looking approach. I’m confident that Democrats, Republicans, and representatives from all three branches alike will enjoy these incredible dishes from all corners of our nation.”
The hosting committee has already posted the menu online, as well as recipes for those who’ll be unable to attend and want to experience the luncheon for themselves.
Without further ado, here’s the menu for the 2013 Inaugural Luncheon:
First Course: 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 Course: Hickory grilled bison with wild huckleberry reduction, strawberry preserve and red cabbage, red potato horseradish cake, baby golden beets and green beans and butternut squash purée.
Wine: Bedell Cellars 2009 Merlot (Long Island, NY)
Dessert: Hudson Valley apple pie with sour cream ice cream and maple caramel sauce. Aged cheeses and honeycomb will also be served, including Toma Celena and Jersey Girl Colby from Cooperstown Cheese Company (Milford, NY).
Wine: Korbel Inaugural Cuvee (California)