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Yes, we can cook

Print | Comments () Posted by Devra First November 10, 2008 04:49 PM

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OK, Obama is president-elect. Now for the big question: Who will be the new White House chef?

As you may be aware, Obama is reputed to be a fan of Chicago's Rick Bayless, of Topolobampo fame. Bayless has been floated as a contender for the position by the New York Daily News.

More likely, I think, is another of their picks: Art Smith, who also has Chicago roots and is Oprah Winfrey's personal chef. Obama has eaten at his Chicago restaurant, Table Fifty-Two.

Future White House chef? (Globe staff file photo/Wendy Maeda)

He has a history of cooking for politicians; he was once the chef at the Florida Governor's Mansion. Like Obama, he's concerned about his community, having started the nonprofit Common Threads; he's a recipient of the James Beard Humanitarian Award. And a self-penned profile of the chef reads in part: "I'm a native of Jasper, Florida, where I learned the value of shared, home-cooked meals and old recipes passed down through generations on my family's farm. Those memories have been so influential in my life and are a big part of why I love working with and talking about food so much." Family meals, farm-sourced ingredients? Sounds appealing. Plus, when I called Smith a few months back to talk about Obama's food likes and dislikes, he respectfully declined. So discreet!

Also mentioned as a possibility: Daniel Young, who cooked for Obama at the Democratic National Convention and is personal chef to Carmelo Anthony of the Denver Nuggets.

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