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's Memorial Day Breakfast with Vets and Pamela's P&G Diner

The call came on Wednesday, says Gail Klingensmith, partner of Pittsburgh's favorite pancake house Pamela's P&G. Thanks to Obama's personal aid Reggie Love who recalled how much Obama enjoyed his meal during a campaign stop in Pittsburgh last year, Pamela Cohen and Gail are heading to D.C. The two have been invited to cook Obama's favorite pancakes for 80 war veterans joining Obama at the White House Memorial Day breakfast. Gail and Pam wanted to bring their staff along but that was nixed by White House security. White House executive chef Cristeta (Cris) Comerford told them not to worry. They will have the full support of Obama's kitchen team. On the menu: Pamela's P&G very thin, crispy-edged pancakes, plain and with strawberries. Read the original story here.

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?