The President’s Kitchen Cabinet

The Story of the African Americans Who Have Fed Our First Families, from the Washingtons to the Obamas

By: Adrian Miller

Narrated by: Ron Butler

James Beard award-winning author Adrian Miller vividly tells the stories of the African Americans who worked in the presidential food service as chefs, personal cooks, butlers, stewards, and servers for every First Family since George and Martha Washington. Miller brings together the names and words of more than 150 black men and women who played remarkable roles in unforgettable events in the nation's history. Daisy McAfee Bonner, for example, FDR's cook at his Warm Springs retreat, described the president's final day on earth in 1945, when he was struck down just as his lunchtime cheese soufflé emerged from the oven. Sorrowfully, but with a cook's pride, she recalled, "He never ate that soufflé, but it never fell until the minute he died."

A treasury of information about cooking techniques and equipment, the book includes 20 recipes for which black chefs were celebrated. From Samuel Fraunces's "onions done in the Brazilian way" for George Washington to Zephyr Wright's popovers, beloved by LBJ's family, Miller highlights African Americans' contributions to our shared American foodways. Surveying the labor of enslaved people during the antebellum period and the gradual opening of employment after Emancipation, Miller highlights how food-related work slowly became professionalized and the important part African Americans played in that process. His chronicle of the daily table in the White House proclaims a fascinating new American story.

©2017 Adrian Miller (P)2017 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

A combination history and cook book in one.

If you could sum up The President’s Kitchen Cabinet in three words, what would they be?

well done, brilliant.

What other book might you compare The President’s Kitchen Cabinet to and why?

It's similar to various books I've read on the history of the White House, such as J B West's Upstairs at the White House.

What about Ron Butler’s performance did you like?

He was quite good, though I found he couldn't do accents at all at times.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes.

Any additional comments?

A must-have for history fans, or people who want to know about White House cooking.

Very interesting

I liked that it told things about what the presidents ate and about the chefs behind their food, that’s exactly what I expected out of this book I wished that it could’ve been longer. But I know that books have to end at some point. I have been looking for similar books.

Author Takes Us Through Gastric History

At first, when the story began, I was not sure how the book was going to be organized. The author seemed to be taking us in several different directions. However, as the story congealed, I realized that he takes us on a journey on through the relationship of African Americans and the presidential stomachs they were charged with. Each African American chef from George Washington to Barack Obama has his or her own personal story of how they became successful culinary specialists. This book not only focuses on the presidential food favorites, but it also describes the sacrifice each African American chef has made to their family, to their country, and to their race.

Fascinating History and Historical Recipes

Really interesting histories of the kitchen staff/chefs who served those who tried to serve us.

Phenomenal stories of the hidden heroes

Phenomenal stories of the hidden heroes of the White House. Funny and informative stories about what truly happens in the White House and working with the first families. Great historical details as well backed by first hand accounts and research. I’ve met Adrian Miller before and read his prior book and just like before- this delivers.

A Culinary and Human Window

This is a wonderful window into the minds, tastes, and race attitudes of our presidents.

Disappointed

Very interesting story, but couching it in racial terms was confusing. Finally I became so confused 😕 I just stopped listening. 😢!