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The group photo of the top chefs of different
countries, including Mr. Walter Scheib - Chef to the President
of the United States of
America. | |
Top chefs across the US are frantically dusting off their CVs - the White House has
announced it is looking for a new executive chef.
The coveted post has been held for 11 years by Walter Scheib, who is
packing up his white toque to pursue "other opportunities".
Mr Scheib was hired by former First Lady Hillary Clinton from a resort
in West Virginia popular with politicians.
He is known for a contemporary style which emphasises regional produce.
The office of the First Lady, Laura Bush, will be overseeing the
appointment of his successor.
However, spokeswoman Rachel told reporters that the position would not
be advertised.
Asked how candidates would be selected and whether foreign chefs would
be considered, she said: "I cannot comment on the selection process."
As executive chef at the White House, Mr Scheib's duties include
preparing all menus and meals for the First Family and their private
entertaining, as well as office and State Dinners.
In an online chat on the White House website, he said he cooked casual
food such as hamburgers, french
fries and barbecues for Mr and Mrs Bush.
All food - bar condiments, oils and vinegars - are made from scratch. US produce is used whenever
possible.
Planning for a State Dinner takes two months, he said, starting with a
tasting dinner for the First Lady, after which the menu is revised and a
second tasting may or may not be held.
A list of guests' individual and dietary food preferences are sent to
the kitchen in advance.
"Typically, we try to highlight the best and most interesting in
American food, wine and entertaining," he said.
"American cuisine consists of influences from all countries, so we try
to feature flavour combinations or cooking techniques from the guest
country as part of the State Dinner menu," he
added.
(Reuters) |
全美國的頂級大廚們都滿懷熱情地重新翻出求職履歷,因為白宮最近公開宣布正在物色一位新的首席大廚。
這個令人垂涎的職位被沃爾特·沙伊布占據了11年之久,現在他正收起自己的白色廚帽,打算尋求“其他的機會”。
沙伊布是被前第一夫人希拉里·克林頓請進白宮的,之前他供職于西弗吉尼亞一個很受政界人士青睞的度假勝地。
他以注重地方特色口味的現代風格而聞名。
第一夫人勞拉·布什的辦公室將監督其繼任者的選拔過程。
然而,發言人雷切爾對記者說,這一職位是不會通過廣告來公開招聘的。
當被問到怎樣挑選候選人,以及是否會考慮外國廚師時,她說:“我不能對選拔過程發表評論。”
身為白宮的首席大廚,沙伊布的職責包括為第一家庭準備所有的菜譜和膳食,還要負責他們的私人宴請、辦公室聚餐及國宴等。
在白宮網站上的一次網絡聊天中,他說他經常為布什夫婦做一些家常食品,比如漢堡包、炸薯條和烤肉等。
所有的食物,包括油、醋和其他調味品,都是現買現做的,并盡可能選用美國產品。
他說,準備一場國宴通常要花兩個月時間。第一夫人先要品嘗一遍計劃菜品,接著對菜單進行修改,然后可能還會第二次“試餐”。
客人的個人喜好和飲食偏好都將列成單子,事先送進廚房。
“一般來說,我們總是試圖突出美國食物、酒和宴飲過程中最好、最有趣的部分。”他說。
他補充說:“美式烹調風格受到了世界各國的影響,因此我們會盡量在國宴的部分菜譜里加入外賓本國的飲食風味或烹飪技巧。”
(中國日報網站譯) |