US News & World Report - On Obama, Pancakes, & Pamela's P&G

In case you missed the recent blog post in US News & World Report regarding Pamela's P&G recent pancake breakfast with Obama at the White House, here it is again complete with a terrific once in a life time graphic by Ed Wexler. Thanks Ed, Paul Bedard, Nikki Schwab and everyone at US News! It doesn't get much better than this for Pamela's P&G or their publicists at Kurman.


Obama Calls on Pittsburgh to Prepare Memorial Day Pancakes

May 30, 2009 11:53 AM ET

Paul Bedard, Nikki Schwaub

By Nikki Schwab, Washington Whispers

The prez sure has been giving a lot of love to Pittsburgh lately. He announced he'll hold the next G-20 summit in the Steel City, entertained the Pittsburgh Steelers at the White House (he divulged to the Super Bowl champs that he has a "terrible towel," the black-and-gold rag fans wave in the air), and even invited the owners of local fave Pamela's to help make Memorial Day breakfast.

Why bring in out-of-towners to do the job? One word: pancakes.

The president loved Pamela's unique, crepelike pancakes when he wolfed down a platter while campaigning for the Pennsylvania primary. So when the White House needed to make a top-notch breakfast for families who have lost a loved one at war, it was Pittsburgher Gail Klingensmith of Pamela's P&G Diners who got the call. "I thought it was a joke, everybody thought it was a joke, and it wasn't a joke," Klingensmith tells Whispers.

She and co-owner Pamela Cohen were in a frenzy at the prospect, but they quickly began making arrangements to get themselves and their secret ingredients to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. When the pancake supplies arrived, Klingensmith received a text message from White House executive chef Cris Comerford: "The Eagle Has Landed."

And pancakes are just the beginning. There has been a lot of talk about the Obamas bringing all sorts of culinary talents into their kitchen. Most who have prepared food so far have been big names. Spike Mendelsohn of Top Chef fame and Spanish chef José Andrés cooked outside at the annual White House Easter Egg Roll. Art Smith, Oprah's former chef who now operates Art and Soul in Washington, was there for Easter, too. And we hear that he returned to the White House recently to whip up a lunch.

Illustration by Ed Wexler for USN&WR

Obama-Nation Inauguration

What better place to celebrate Barack Obama's Inauguration than in the heart of his home city? Dine (733 W. Madison St., Chicago; 312-602-2100) welcomes our new hometown president with the Obama Buffet, an inauguration luncheon party from 10:30 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. January 20. The bargain buffet is $12.95 per person, and includes one beverage. Choose from an array of our President-Elect's favorite foods, like the ultimate cold-weather comfort food, chili.

Can't make it to Washington, DC for the ceremony? Dine will show the inauguration on big-screen projectors throughout the restaurant. Stay out of the harsh Chicago winter, and toast our hometown hero with the Obama Buffet.

For more information on Dine, please visit http://www.dinerestaurant.com/ or call (312) 602-2100.

What chefs will join Obama in D.C.?

AP photo by Jae C. Hong
High school good friend of Kurman Communications, Inc. President Cindy Kurman, Gail Klingensmith, can be proud to say that she's served pancakes to the future President of the United State of America, Barack Obama. Klingensmith is part of the ownership team behind Pamela's, a popular diner with multiple locations in Pittsburgh.

This past April, the Obamas enjoyed Pamela's Swedish pancakes during a campaign stop in the battleground state. Notorious for
their healthy eating and wide-ranging palates, the Obamas were big fans of the pancakes and atmosphere that welcomed them at Pamela's.

This week, the AP published a story covering this "first family of foodies," detailing their local Chicago favorites like Topolobampo and Spiaggia. For the entire article, press here.

Mexican food, pancakes, Italian dining... what type of food will the Obamas ask for in The White House? We hear that Art Smith has already setup shop in DC. Will Rick Bayless, Tony Mantuano and the Gail / Pamela duo follow?

Change in the air, first Obama, now StreetWise

Since we've all be wrapped up in the elections, another significant change may have gone unnoticed. A few weeks ago we wrote about StreetWise changing from a weekly newspaper to a weekly magazine. The day has come. Today, along with celebrating President Elect Obama's triumphant victory, we are celebrating the launch of the new StreetWise magazine.

You are invited to join us at CloseUp2 Jazz Club, 416 S. Clark St., Chicago, tonight (Nov. 5) from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. It's a benefit with a minimum donation of $25 at the door. A number of terrific restaurants have donated goodies including pizza from Bella Bacino's, More cupcakes, Eli's Cheesecake, couscous from Tallulah and Eve, lettuce wraps and salmon hors d'oeuvres from Nostalgic Catering and sandwiches from Corner Bakery.

But wait, there's more.

The launch party is a smooth jazz lover's dream. Chicago's star saxman, Ray Silkman and his band is the featured jazz artist. He will play shows at 7, 8 and 9 p.m. Also playing is rising star jazz guitarist Lee Alec Barrie . Famed Chicago bassist and smooth jazz radio star Michael Manson plans to stop by to show his support, and other Chicago jazz artists are expected to drop in.

What:
- StreetWise Magazine Launch Party and fundraiser
- Interview opportunities with StreetWise founder Judd Lofchie, Executive Director Michael Speer, and Editor-in-Chief Suzanne Hanney
Where: CloseUp2 Jazz Club, 416 S. Clark St., Chicago
When: 6-11 p.m., Wednesday, November 5, 2008

Highlights:
After 16 years, StreetWise, the newspaper sold by Chicago's homeless and those at risk of homelessness, is turning into a full-color glossy magazine. The goal is to reach a broader readership, increase revenue to support its mission and to offer Chicago a vital, must-read publication.

StreetWise has directly helped more than 8,000 homeless or at-risk men and women since its founding in 1992. Currently more than 200 licensed vendors sell StreetWise in Chicago.
StreetWise's mission is more critical than ever as current economic hardships are creating more homelessness and unemployment.

The launch party is a smooth jazz lover's dream. Chicago's star saxman, Ray Silkman (left) and his band is the featured jazz artist. He will play shows at 7, 8 and 9 p.m. Also playing is rising star jazz guitarist Lee Alec Barrie (right).Famed Chicago bassist and smooth jazz radio star Michael Manson (left) plans to stop by to show his support, and other Chicago jazz artists are expected to drop in.

StreetWise, a 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization, has as its mission is to empower men and women who are homeless or at risk of being so, as they work toward gainful employment and self-sufficiency. Visit the StreetWise website at http://www.streetwise.org/.

Election Night Menu at Obama Grant Park Event

We're still trying to decide whether or not to attend the history making Obama event in Grant Park tonight. We have our tickets and we know that it's a once in a lifetime opportunity. We aren't thrilled about being literally one in a million. Kind of scary.

We were thrilled, however, to learn that our friend Rita Gutekanst from Limelight Catering was hired for what I think is the plum catering event of the century as Limelight is the exclusive VIP caterer tonight. Here's a sneak peak of what the other half will be snacking on tonight in Grant Park.

Election Night Menu

Warm Rosemary Roasted Tomato Soup
Grilled Tillamook Cheddar Cheese Sandwich
Focaccia Sandwich with Fresh Mozzarella & Roasted Red Pepper
Focaccia Sandwich with Grilled Free Range Chicken, Fresh Mozzarella & Roasted Red Pepper
Spicy Beef Sirloin Tamale Bites
Pico de Gallo
Warm Spinach & Herb Dip
Crostini and Crackers
Spicy Black Bean Dip & Homemade Market Salsa
Tortilla Chips & Market Crudité
Perfect Chocolate Cake