On 21.9.2021 former White House Chef Marti Mongiello gave a keynote speech at the special White House dinner event in Washington, DC.
It was a great event celebrating the work and achievements of the United Fresh Produce Association and Political Action Committee (PAC).
Guests enjoyed a delicious dinner at Charlie Palmer Steak restaurant, prepared by Chef Ricky and his skilful team.
The menu itself was inspired by the favorite recipes of past presidents and first ladies. It included stuffed roasted mini pumpkins for appetisers, Atlantic halibut with beef demi-glace vol-au-vents, cut fillet mignon with red wine jus and chimichurri based on the same dish prepared for President Jefferson when he visited the Paris Center. This delicious meal was followed by ginger cake drizzled with cardamom syrup.
The fresh food produce was sponsored and supplied by prestigious food suppliers, including Grimmway Farms, Driscolls, Frey Farms and Bowery.
This gala dinner was also a great opportunity to celebrate the fantastic work of both the United Fresh Produce Association and PAC as well as a chance for the United States Presidential Service Center to honour the work of D’Arrigo New York, United Fresh Produce Association and PAC by awarding them the Distinguished Service Medal.
The awards celebrated United Fresh Produce Association which was formed in 1904. United Fresh has built a legacy of more than 100 years from family businesses to global corporations by bringing together members across every supply chain segment.
D’Arrigo have a long history of philanthropy dating back to 1948, supporting local charities including food banks and several branches of the armed forces.
The awards were given by Chef Marti Mongiello, MBA, MA, MCFE, who provides specialty white house dinners worldwide with speeches that are both professional and entertaining, as guests were more than happy to confirm.
The speech was a great success. One of the attendees, Antwain Thomas, CDO mentioned that Chef Marti received many outbreaks of applause during his keynote speech for the United Fresh Produce Association’s annual conference.
More than six times the audience broke out in laughter after his many witty jokes and there was a great crowd of people wanting to speak to Chef Marti after the event to convey their gratitude and to find out more about his fascinating life story, which includes serving in the US Navy, teaching in his cooking school and travelling the world advising on hospitality management.
Chef Marti Mongiello is a person of many talents: a former White House Chef, who has worked with the past six Presidents for the last 25 years, from H.W. Bush through to Joe Biden. He is also an accomplished speaker, writer of nine books and television presenter. He’s been previously featured in Washington Post, LA Times, Australian, The New Yorker, FOOD TV Network Magazine, The Times of London, and many more.
His latest project includes a television series about life in the White House from a food and fine dining point of view, called ‘Inside the Presidents’ Cabinet’.