Alice Waters: Ms. Smith Goes to Washington

By JULIETTE ROSSANT What was served at the great peace treaty tables of the past: Yalta, Versailles, Appomattox? Never underestimate the power of great food to warm the hearts of politicians and generals and change their minds. By now Alice Waters' Edible Schoolyard on Washington's Mall has been packed up and dismantled, along with the rest of the Food Culture USA component of the 2005 Folklife Festival. But it might be the intangible results of her stay here that make a bigger impression. No stranger to politics on the East Coast (see previous article on Project Billboard's fight to get political billboards up in New York City), the Edible Schoolyard is her most sincere attempt to change American eating habits, starting with children. R. W. Apple Jr. notes in his article in The New York Times that Alice lobbied politicians (all Democrats) by inviting them to lunch, but unfortunately he didn't report on what they ate. Laura Bush and other Republicans declined her offer. That is a pity since so many chefs have pointed out in superchefblog most notably Nora Pouillon (who also appeared at the Folklife Festival) that the Bush White House could be a the place to start teaching the country how to eat sustainable food (see previous article). Mrs. Bush could hire a chef who would emphasizing better eating habits, sustainable agriculture and care for the environment. The Edible Schoolyard is a wonderful idea, but so often in history we learn, people will follow the example of their leader. Apple also mentions what Alice ate in Washington, at restaurants like Equinox where she was served Todd Gray's Mid Atlantic Cuisine (see previous article) and Jose Andres' Jaleo and the Minibar at Cafe Atlantico. Apple closes with a quote from Alice: "We're going to show a whole generation of kids how to cook and how to eat, and our country will be the beneficiary." We need a chef in the White House who will show the way. Previous articles: Smithsonian Folklife Festival: Food Culture USA Alice Waters: Green Screen Film Festival Profile: Alice Waters for White House Chef Slow Food Thanksgiving, by Alice Waters and Prince Charles Politics, Billboards & Champagne Politics, Chefs & Billboards Technorati Tags: chefs food restaurants cooking branding cuisine organic food --> back to superchefblog