Retro Garlic: The Vetting Paid Off

Every once in awhile, life imitates The Garlic.

While President Obama went off to the Middle East, for his Cairo Speech, than on to France, for D-Day events, it was on to Paris, for some playtime, and fine dining.

The Hill's Blog Briefing Room picked up on it, as did the AFP, however, we'll run with the ITN version;

President Barack Obama's food taster upsets chefs

Chefs at a top Paris restaurant were upset when US President Barack Obama sent his personal food taster into the kitchen to test his meal.

The incident occured at the chic La Fontaine de Mars restaurant when the President was dining with wife Michelle, President Nicolas Sarkozy and French First Lady Carla Bruni.

The Secret Service agent inspected a security-conscious Mr Obama's roast lamb and seasonal vegetables, a worker at the posh eatery revealed.

Waiter Gabriel de Carvalho, who said Mrs Obama and the Sarkozys all ate fillet of beef, added: "The President arrived with someone who tastes the dishes.

"The man, who appeared to be a Secret Service protection officer, waited in the kitchen while the chef prepared the meal for Mr Obama and his wife Michelle.

"Then he took a fork and tasted a tiny part of both meals before they were sent out to the President and his wife."

He added: "It wasn't very pleasant for the cooks at first, who are obviously very proud about their cooking.

"But they soon understood that it wasn't to test the quality of the dish, but only to ensure the food had not been poisoned in any way.

"The food tester was calm and relaxed and made light of it, so as to cause minimum offence.

"Clearly the food was fine and the president appeared to thoroughly enjoy his meal. All four of them said they had a wonderful meal and President Obama easily smoothed things over by personally thanking the chef afterwards."

Restaurant owner Jacques Boudon confirmed later: "We understand President Obama needs to have someone to test his food for security reasons. The chef understands and we are honoured at at our restaurant."

The Flying Monkeys started throwing feces on themselves over it, when, actually, it isn't uncommon, particularly when the POTUS is traveling in another country, for someone to check out the grub.

As for The Garlic, and The Retro Part, we had the jump on this, back in December;

Breaking ... Obama Team Vetting Food Tasters

Breaking ... Obama Team Vetting Food Tasters

Sources have told The Garlic this evening, that within minutes after announcing his National Security Team, President-Elect Barack Obama's transition squad began a scheduled vetting of food tasters, that will be employed in the administration.

"This has been in the cards for quite some time," indicated the source, an Obama insider.

"Once they won the primary, and began thinking about the "Team of Rivals" thing, this was put in motion."

It is not known who these potential "Food Tasters" are, how they will work, if they will actually taste the food for the President, or merely test it.

The Obama Team has no concerns, as to the integrity of the White House Chef, or any member of the staff.

However, guidelines are continuing to be worked out.

During Cabinet meetings, in which the President will attend, Cabinet members, and any staff, will have their own, separate table of food and beverages, the President, his own, guarded by Secret Service agents.

The President will drink from a covered, travel-type mug, and any food brought into the meetings must be sealed, and have a Secret Service escort.

Other meetings (outside of the White House), and formal events, in which Cabinet members are in attendance, a similar protocol will be implemented.

Should a Cabinet member visit the President in the Oval Office, that Cabinet member may have a full search conducted, before entering, and they will be instructed to sit, at minimum, ten-feet away from any food items the President may have in his office.

Another recommendation, that our source indicates the President-Elect was balking at, is that he must wear surgical latex gloves when shaking hands with any Cabinet member.

More, as this story develops ...


Bonus Links

CNN: Obama rolls out national security team

Robert Stein: Clintons Front and Center Again

Mary Ann Akers: It Hurts To Be John Kerry Today

Katharine Q. Seelye: Live Blog: Presenting the National Security Team

Frank James: Obama rebukes Bush years with Clinton

Kevin Drum: Press Conference Follies