Obama's Seder spiced up by Israeli chef
Vered Guttman tells Ynet of exciting evening and the quinoa salad that impressed Michelle Obama at traditional White House Seder.
President Barack Obama's Passover Seder received an injection of Israeli cuisine this year when First Lady Michelle Obama decided to invite chef Vered Guttman to prepare the traditional holiday meal.
The Israeli chef prepared a quinoa salad for the guests that delighted Mrs. Obama, who cracked a genuine smile when the waiter told her it was the healthiest item on the menu. The course was exceedingly successful, as at the end of the meal one of the waiters approached Guttman and informed her that President Obama had asked what made the salad so delicious.
"A few weeks ago we were contacted by the White House and we were told that Michelle Obama wanted to diversify the menu," Guttman told Yedioth Ahronoth. "I immediately thought of quinoa salad, which is part coconut with sweet potatoes and Tuscan kale. Michelle approved, and they invited me to the White House to get acquainted with the kitchen and prepare the delicacies."
Vered Guttman is the owner of the catering company "Cardamom and Mint" and usually prepares delicacies for multi-family meals at the embassy in Washington and for bar mitzvah celebrations in the city.
"The First Chef at the White House who is of Filipino origin, Cristeta Pasia Comerford, told me that she visited Israel and really liked the food. She was very nice and let me share in preparing other dishes as well: Though the knaidlach mixture was already prepared, I suggested that we cook the matzo balls in soup broth instead of boiling water. She accepted my suggestion and the dish turned out much tastier."
Related stories:
There were 23 diners at Obama's Seder, and the menu included gefilte fish and chicken soup with knaidlach.
At the end of the meal Guttman waited behind the curtain between the dining room and the kitchen.
"People from the staff asked me to stay, they said that at the end of the meal the President and his wife might come to thank us. In the end they were in a rush to get to another event, but we were told that we would be invited again to thank us."
Behind the curtain Guttman managed to listen to the Seder and said, "The most exciting was when the President and all the guests sang Dayenu and Chad Gadya, and they sang in loud voices – it sounded like they were singing with all their heart."
