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The President's Kitchen Cabinet: The Story of the African Americans Who Have Fed Our First Families, from the Washingtons to the Obamas

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Description

An NAACP Image Award Finalist for Outstanding Literary Work—Non Fiction 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 souffle emerged from the oven. Sorrowfully, but with a cook's pride, she recalled, "He never ate that souffle, but it never fell until the minute he died." A treasury of information about cooking techniques and equipment, the book includes twenty 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. Read more

Publisher ‏ : ‎ The University of North Carolina Press (February 20, 2017)


Language ‏ : ‎ English


Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 296 pages


ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1469632535


ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 37


Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.28 pounds


Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6.5 x 0.5 x 9.8 inches


Best Sellers Rank: #491,628 in Books (See Top 100 in Books) #615 in Gastronomy History (Books) #1,959 in African American Demographic Studies (Books) #7,026 in U.S. State & Local History


#615 in Gastronomy History (Books):


#1,959 in African American Demographic Studies (Books):


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If you place your order now, the estimated arrival date for this product is: Friday, Apr 11

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Top Amazon Reviews


  • A Magnificent Read!
What an engrossing, informative and satisfying book! As Viola Davis said last night in her Oscar acceptance speech, it is the duty of an aware artist to "exhume" stories of lives not known before to reveal profound, universal truth. And Adrian Miller has done just that in this magnificent read. By reading Adrian's book you will know about those everyday heroes and heroines who sustained the executive branch of the United States, and in some cases (especially that of Zephir Wright) influenced profound changes in US society and history. Ignore the stories that Miller brings to you in this book at your peril, for these African Americans, enslaved or as "free" servants, quiet or outspoken, in all cases giving of their skill and heart to the function of the Executive Mansion - were an important part of our American story. Besides the fact that I'm a Twitter buddy with Adrian, I had no idea that this book would be so rich with vibrant stories of men and women close to the heart of executive power in the White House. For reading this book, I am in debt to my friend, and after reading this you will acknowledge a similar debt for Adrian's bringing these people to life, and for honoring these outstanding stories of those in White House kitchens who served our US Presidents. Thanks my friend! ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on February 28, 2017 by marais

  • Great read
A very interesting book on the black shelves that fed the White House for many years
Reviewed in the United States on May 28, 2024 by Duncan

  • Fascinating stories of impressive people
I loved this book, which takes the reader behind the scenes in White House kitchens throughout the decades and through many different presidencies. In particular, we are able to see the crucial role African Americans played in supporting and nurturing our presidents. This is an impressive untold history that every American should understand and appreciate. Adrian Miller is such an easy-to-read writer with pertinent references throughout the book. I love all the humorous and inspiring stories he shares with readers. ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on September 7, 2020 by Susan J. Montgomery

  • Disconnected
The website listed in intro is broken. The list of help working at the White House is incomplete. The portraits included have no provenance. Makes you wonder about fact checking. Other than that it was an enjoyable read. Not up to UNC standards was suprised by that.
Reviewed in the United States on March 27, 2017 by Constance Cole

  • Light easy reading
Light easy reading about the African Americans who have served in the White House kitchen. The easy ones were primarily personal cooks or slaves. As time went on that charged. A good number of recipes that were featured in the White House have been included.
Reviewed in the United States on March 3, 2018 by pastor

  • Entertaining and full of useless information
This is an excellent addition to your library. You'll enjoy reading about the history and eating habits of Presidents from Washington to Obama. It's not a novel, it is a history book with anecdotes, secrets about Presidents, their wives, family, and especially their dogs and what whet their appetites. It's a fascinating conversation book and one to keep within reach at all times, especially at a dinner party. The facts are abundant and uniquely interesting. Adrian Miller did a beautiful job of bringing historical food notes from the White House onto the pages of "The President's Kitchen Cabinet." Definitely a book for all ages. ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on April 21, 2017 by Janis D. McNutt

  • Great stoies and recipes
This was written with humor and heart. I love the stories about the cooks and chefs and how they have done everything they could to please the presidents and their families. Some fun recipes, too. I especially liked the story about Thomas Jefferson and his love of mac and cheese. Who knew! The book gives the reader perspective of how African American chefs and cooks have been an important and integral part of the White House experience for all of our presidents and their visitors. Great read. ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on August 11, 2021 by Theresa M.

  • Excellent Read
This book was incredibly informative. I learned so much about the presence of African Americans in the White House kitchen and as presidential culinary employees. I’m excited to try out the recipes.
Reviewed in the United States on February 15, 2021 by Sharila

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