January 9, 2009
Posted: January 9th, 2009 02:47 PM ET

From
 Meals will be served on replicas of china used during the Lincoln presidency.
Meals will be served on replicas of china used during the Lincoln presidency.

(CNN) - The Presidential Inaugural Committee announced Friday that the 2009 Inaugural Luncheon will take place in the Statuary Hall in the Capitol and celebrate the bicentennial of the birth of President Abraham Lincoln, following the swearing-in ceremony of President-elect Barack Obama and Vice President-elect Joe Biden.
 
In keeping with the theme, meals will be served on replicas of china used during the Lincoln presidency, boasting the American bald eagle and the U.S. Coat of Arms.  
 
The menu is inspired by the era of Lincoln’s presidency and features courses of seafood stew, pheasant and duck with sweet potatoes and chutney, and apple cinnamon sponge cake for dessert. Carefully-selected wines and champagne will be served to compliment the flavors of the luncheon courses.
 
Aside from the feast, the event features toasts to the new administration, presentations of gifts given by Congress on behalf of the American people, various speeches, and music by the Smithsonian Chamber Players – an ensemble known for its performances of period music played on instruments from the museum’s collection.
 
The inaugural luncheon tradition dates as far back as 1897, when one was held in honor of President McKinley and the U.S. Capitol, though the current practice began in 1953.

Filed under: Barack Obama • Inauguration • Joe Biden


Bea   January 9th, 2009 7:52 pm ET

Ab would be proud.

Meh   January 9th, 2009 7:39 pm ET

Wow, working gal. Talk about sour grapes.

ga.   January 9th, 2009 7:18 pm ET

please don't let the traitor dems. go to the luncheon.

Texas Teacher   January 9th, 2009 7:11 pm ET

From the first that I saw Obama speaking to the Democrat Convention, I said that is a man that we will see a lot more of! And I felt then the connection to Lincoln. I am open to idea of reincarnation... or at least Gestalt theory. I think if he is not the reincarnation of Lincoln, then he is part of that Gestalt from which he came! :) Just saying.... believe what you will.

Chris in Va.   January 9th, 2009 6:49 pm ET

@ Working gal.....Spoken like a true bigot. I'm sure Rush, Hannity, and David Duke would be proud. It must be terrible to be such a miserable wretch as youself.

Wish I Was There   January 9th, 2009 6:45 pm ET

Obama "You Are The One"/ Michelle -/Biden /Jill love you guys have a wonderfull day on the 20th / remember we may be absent but in spirit will be celebrating with you .
Lincoln would be happy with this.

Ernie in LA   January 9th, 2009 6:39 pm ET

They should be feeding the homeless and hungry. Washington better party hardy while they can. There are more hard times comming.

California Gold   January 9th, 2009 6:05 pm ET

I like that this President is honoring President Lincoln throughout his inauguration. Each new administration is another chapter of American history. Ackowledging our past as we celebrate the present is a beautiful tradition. I like that this inauguration embraces one of our beloved Presidents. He will be sworn in with the same Bible President Lincoln used and the inaugural luncheon also honors President Lincoln with the tableware and menu selections in the Statuary Hall of the Capitol (which is quite historical on its own). If you don't like or care for history, if you haven't been to our nation's capitol, a lot of this might be lost on you. But don't ridicule it, ok.

FAYE, NV   January 9th, 2009 5:36 pm ET

The menu is nice and hopefully they will enjoy the food.

Mari   January 9th, 2009 5:09 pm ET

That's a lovely plate! Wishing the Obamas and the Bidens a wonderful Inauguration Celebration! We will be watching from home with a breakfast and plenty of friends!

HOPE WON.......... HOPE WON......... HOPE WON.......... HOPE WON!!!

AMERICA DON'T LET THE DOOM & GLOOM GET TO YOU.......

YES WE CAN AND YES WE WILL GET THROUGH THIS TOUGH TIME!

Miro, MI   January 9th, 2009 5:08 pm ET

"Working gal",
grow-up, or shot-up, PLEASE!!!!
Thanks!

Sophia in Canada   January 9th, 2009 5:07 pm ET

Working gal, you sound bitter.
Don't get bitter, get better.

Meka   January 9th, 2009 5:06 pm ET

BEAUTIFUL GESTURE!

Karen in CA   January 9th, 2009 5:05 pm ET

Yum!! Just bring me a large piece of cake on one of those beautiful plates and keep my champagne glass full! I'll pass on everything else.

It'll be a day to remember and a great celebration for the country! Here's to a better future!!

Nelson Colorado Springs Co.   January 9th, 2009 5:04 pm ET

Getting out hand, just something else to talk about. Bad choice of food, it would have been better off going to golden carrol having the dinner buffet $7.99 per person. (SMILE)

vet   January 9th, 2009 4:50 pm ET

All of this at the tax payer's expense when unemployment is closing in on double digits.

Patty - Dallas   January 9th, 2009 4:44 pm ET

what?? not the new china

Steve   January 9th, 2009 4:36 pm ET

I imagine they will cook with fire started by rubbing two sticks togteher? The menu doesn't sound good at all!

NiceGirl   January 9th, 2009 4:31 pm ET

Eat your heart out Obama Haters!

john   January 9th, 2009 4:22 pm ET

What is it with Obama and all of this Lincoln stuff? If this man actually believes anything he has accomplished even comes close to Lincoln....then yes...he is one arrogant......

Laverne   January 9th, 2009 4:21 pm ET

Cheers to Obama and Biden, we are counting on you!

AnaB   January 9th, 2009 4:17 pm ET

Doesn't sound too good to me, except the cake and the wine.

Simmy   January 9th, 2009 4:14 pm ET

C'est tres bon!!!!!! What a day it's going to be! I'm loving it!
God bless President-Elect Obama, VP Biden and their families!
God bless us all!

Working gal   January 9th, 2009 4:12 pm ET

And doesn't he think he's just spiffy with all the Lincoln stuff? Lincoln freed him and he's the first. Oh my, what a deal!

A Woman In California For Obama   January 9th, 2009 4:09 pm ET

Just think how bored and afraid ALL of us would be if McCain/Palin were sitting at this luncheon.

Thank God they are no more!!!!!!

Proud American   January 9th, 2009 4:02 pm ET

Only the cake sounds like something worth eating.

Gloria - Minnesota   January 9th, 2009 3:59 pm ET

This will be a day to remember! (Abraham Lincoln is my favorite President too.)

Matt   January 9th, 2009 3:59 pm ET

Looks like a fantastic plate on which to serve the GOP some crow. Eat up boys. Lincoln is seriously disappointed in you.

Shaan of Chicago   January 9th, 2009 3:57 pm ET

I admire Obama, but I really wish he would stop building his image and brand around Abe Lincoln's legacy. Doesn't he know Lincoln was clinically depressed?

Matt   January 9th, 2009 3:50 pm ET

The best part? The GOP chose Reagan as their christ figure instead of Lincoln. Having any regrets guys? Yeah, "oops" doesn't even begin to describe it.

tired of corporate politics   January 9th, 2009 3:40 pm ET

C'mon someone out there has read Animal Farm and sees the OBVIOUS parallel here, right? Please don't flame me unless you have at least read or heard of the book.

I remember Carter? or Clinton? walking the parade route instead of riding to show an attempt at connecting with the common person. Maybe Obama could skip the pheasant and champagne for a day, in light of the out-of-work masses.

Unless he has abandoned the charade already, and moved into the 'farmhouse".

Rick   January 9th, 2009 3:40 pm ET

Is PETA going to protest? Or is that strictly reserved for republicans?

Biased Journalism   January 9th, 2009 3:35 pm ET

"Seafood stew, pheasant and duck"

Yeah, they're really in touch with the working poor.

obama-mama   January 9th, 2009 3:33 pm ET

Sounds nice.

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