Wednesday, January 18, 2017

John F. Kennedy's Inaugural Luncheon

In November, 1960, John F. Kennedy defeated Richard Nixon in one of the closest and most dramatic presidential elections in American history. Two and a half months later, on January 20, 1961, Kennedy was sworn in as the first Roman Catholic president of the United States and delivered his Inaugural Address on the terrace of the East Portico of the U.S. Capital.

Near the end of his address, he famously said

Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe, to assure the survival and the success of liberty.

This much we pledge – and more.

And so, my fellow Americans: ask not what your country can do for you - ask what you can do for your country. My fellow citizens of the world: ask not what America will do for you, but what together we can do for the freedom of man...


After delivering his address, Kennedy and his wife Jacqueline were escorted to the Old Supreme Court Chamber in the U.S. Capitol for the traditional inaugural luncheon. According to Senate historians, Menu Items included Cream of Tomato Soup with Crushed Popcorn; Deviled Crab Meat Imperial; New England Boiled Stuffed Lobster with Drawn Butter; Prime Texas Ribs of Beef au jus; String Beans Amandine and Broiled Tomatoes with Grapefruit and Avocado sections with Poppyseed Dressing.


Although the traditional Inaugural Luncheon at the Capital dates back to 1897, when the Senate Committee on Arrangements hosted an official luncheon for President William McKinley and other guests, it didn't begin in its current form until 1953, when President Eisenhower, his wife Mamie, and fifty other guests dined on Creamed Chicken, Baked Ham, and Potato Puffs in the Old Senate Chamber.

Since then, the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies has organized a luncheon celebration at many presidential inaugurations. Often featuring cuisine reflecting the home states of the new president and vice president, as well as the theme of the Inauguration, the luncheon program includes speeches, gift presentations, and toasts to the new administration.


FOOD FACT: According to the John F. Kennedy Library and Museum,  Kennedy preferred orange juice, poached eggs on toast, crisp broiled bacon, milk and coffee at breakfast. For lunch, he enjoyed all kinds of soup, especially New England Fish Chowder. At dinner, there were no particular favorites, although he did like lamb chops, steak, turkey, baked beans and mashed potatoes. He also enjoyed corn muffins, and, for dessert, if he had any, it would "likely be something prepared with chocolate." Kennedy was a "food-as-fuel" kind of guy and often had to be reminded to eat because "politics always took preference over food."

For more on presidential inaugurations, click here!