All The Presidents’ Meals: Foreign Policy

Since 1933, the White House has hosted 14 administrations and almost 400 state dinners. Culinary trends emerged during the various periods that represented the societal zeitgeist. State dinners were characterized by modesty during the 1930s through the 1950s, gradually transforming into lavish cuisine from the Kennedy administration onward. The changes in taste also reflect sensitivity-driven diplomacy, whether naming dishes after foreign heads of state or infusing culinary elements from the guest countries. State dinners undeniably provide entertainment value, offering the public a glimpse into presidential pet peeves. For instance, President Harry Truman was a fan of watermelon pickles while President George H.W. Bush’s hatred of broccoli was well known. The Trump and Obama administrations host state dinners with less frequency compared to their counterparts from a half century ago, explains C.K. Hickey in an interactive article for Foreign Policy. So, state dinners like so much about politics, especially during the social media age, may continue to evolve. – YaleGlobal