US State Department Inducts First American ... - Food and Drink Digital

Anyone who?s ever casually browsed through Obama Foodorama, pondered the ingredients in the President?s White House Honey Ale homebrew, or dreamed of growing a garden like the First Lady knows that this administration has a huge connection with food. But that connection goes beyond the First Family ? now Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton is getting involved, enlisting dozens of top United States chefs and food experts as part of a ?cultural exchange? effort known as the American Chef Corps:

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On Friday, more than 80 chefs are being inducted into the first American Chef Corps. These food experts could help the State Department prepare meals for visiting dignitaries, travel to U.S. embassies abroad for educational programs with foreign audiences or host culinary experts from around the world in their U.S. kitchens.

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The Associated Press reports that these chefs and experts will be meeting with similar experts from other countries around the world, showcasing the United States? varied food culture and exchanging ideas as a way to foster diplomacy:

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"By showcasing the best of American cuisine and creativity, we can show our guests a bit about ourselves," [U.S. Chief of Protocol Capricia Penavic] Marshall said. "Likewise, by incorporating elements of our visitor's culture, we can demonstrate respect and a desire to connect and engage."

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So who does one pick when assembling something as monumental as the first American Chef Corps? How about major players like Ming Tsai, The Spotted Pig?s April Bloomfield, and Jose Andres for starters? Then, because we are the United States and we are obsessed with TV, how about personalities like Rick Bayless and Top Chef contenders (and successful restaurateurs in their own right) Bryan Voltaggio and Mike Isabella? All of the above are some of the names who have been given the distinction of State Chef and are taking on responsibilities like preparing meals for foreign diplomats and visiting faraway embassies as culinary ambassadors.

It will be interesting to see how this new endeavor plays out, but we have high hopes. After all, if there?s one thing that brings people together in a warm and welcoming setting, it?s a delicious meal. If those meals help to foster diplomacy and goodwill between countries, so much the better.

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[SOURCE: Associated Press via NPR]?

Source: http://www.foodanddrinkdigital.com/hotels_restaurants/us-state-department-inducts-first-american-chef-corps

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