
Photo courtesy Penguin Random House
New York journalist Alex Prud’homme knows a thing or two about food. His great aunt, culinary icon Julia Child, brought French cuisine to the American kitchen, and their co-authored book “My Life in France” helped inspire the film "Julie & Julia" by Nora Ephron. Prud’homme’s new book, “Dinner With The President: Food, Politics, and a History of Breaking Bread at the White House” explores the fascinating relationship between fine dining and diplomacy. I spoke with Prud’homme ahead of an author talk he’ll give at The Cornwall Library in Cornwall, Conn., on Saturday, April 15.
Alexander Wilburn: This book is so extensively researched and covers so much of American history, what first inspired this undertaking?
Alex Prud’homme: I grew up in this family of foodies and we liked to sit around the dinner table arguing about politics. My great-aunt Julia Child put on these two television specials on what it took to put together a state dinner from behind the scenes. She brought the first television cameras into the executive kitchen, first in 1967 with LBJ, and then in 1976 with Gerald Ford. I was writing about Julia and discovered she spent more time at the White House than just those two events. She became friendly with the cooks, particularly Chef Henri Haller. Julia and her husband Paul were diplomats before she became known as Julia Child the Chef. So she understood the political aspects of the state dinner, as well as the culinary aspect. In 2016, I was invited to give a talk to staff at the Obama White House. I had a friend there who gave me a tour of the White House, which was unexpectedly emotional for me, looking at the busts and portraits of the presidents and first ladies…the history came alive for me. I think the seed of the book was planted then.
AW: Since the Obama White House we’ve had two presidents really associated with food — and fairly commonplace food — Biden and his ice cream, as well as the photos of Trump’s Air Force One Big Macs. What do these staples tell us about these two very different men?
AP: It’s interesting, because my book is really about the food of politics, and the politics of food. A meal at the White House, even a seemingly simple meal, is never just a meal, is it? It’s a set of signs and symbols that go out to various constituencies, intentionally or not. So you look at Ronald Reagan and his jellybeans, which was kind of a cute candy, but it also spoke to how he had weened himself off of tobacco, the power of the sugar industry, and how he used jellybeans to judge someone’s character. If someone grabbed a whole handful of jellybeans that would mean one thing, and if they picked out just the color they liked, that meant something else. When Reagan defunded school lunches to the tune of $1.5 billion at the same time as he was promoting jellybeans, and Nancy Reagan was buying expensive china, it all backfired. That’s very similar to Trump with his burgers. The burgers are a political signal to his base saying, 'you like this food, I like this food, therefore vote for me.' He didn’t even have to say it, that was just the message everyone received as he tweeted out taco bowls and Pizza Hut and McDonald’s burgers. It’s a very primal, powerful thing. I spoke to some academics, and when we see someone eating the food that we like it signals our prehistoric brain that we are part of the same tribe and that this someone to be trusted. When it comes to Biden and ice cream, it’s similar. I think Trump genuinely likes McDonald’s and Biden genuinely likes ice cream, but there’s an internality to promoting those foods.
AW: We think of Trump as our modern president with this obsession with opulence, but if we go back to the Kennedys, it is Jackie who connects the White House with Versailles, and specifically the opulence of Louis XIV. But her Francophilia turned out to be advantageous, right?
AP: Jackie Kennedy intentionally modeled her White House entertaining on Louis XIV, The Sun King, who understood the value of food as a diplomatic tool. The older phrase ‘breaking bread’ goes back to the beginnings of mankind, bringing the tribe together to help everybody survive. In Louis XIV’s day, breaking bread at his behest not only confers power on him, but puts the onus on his guest to return the favor, or show fealty to the king. It was a way to broker business deals, agreements, and marriages, it was a way of keeping his friends close and his enemies closer. Jackie studied this and really was brilliant. She was so young, she was in her early 30s doing this, but she had a very sophisticated social quality. She made the Kennedy White House the place to see and be seen. They had a series of famous dinners there and one of my favorites was the Brains Dinner, named not because they ate brains, but because the Nobel Laureates were invited. JFK joked that this was the greatest meeting of intellects at the White House since Thomas Jefferson dined alone. Jackie understood you can get a lot of business done at state dinners, so when she hosted President of Pakistan Ayub Khan at Mount Vernon, there was a lot going on. Not only was it a magnificent, splendid evening that she staged, but behind the scenes, there was real politique going on. It turned out that Khan was furious because Kennedy had given India, Pakistan’s sworn enemy, a billion dollars in aid. But that night at Mount Vernon, Kennedy, and Khan walked through George Washington’s gardens and somehow Kennedy charmed him. So between Jackie’s mise-en-scène and Kennedy’s sweet talk, they brokered a deal where the C.I.A. was once again able to send spy planes over China from Pakistani air bases and drop insurgents into Tibet. That came in handy a year later when China attacked India. We were in the middle of the Cuban Missile Crisis, but because Kennedy had a relationship with Pakistan we were able to at least get some intel. That story is emblematic of what got me interested in this book. There was a lot more than a meal going on.
Prud’homme will discuss his book with Adam Van Doren at Cornwall Library on Saturday, April 15 at 5 p.m., in person and live on Zoom. To register go to www.cornwalllibrary.org
Photo courtesy John F. Kennedy Presidential Library & Museum
Photo courtesy John F. Kennedy Presidential Library & Museum
Photo courtesy John F. Kennedy Presidential Library & Museum
The Canaan Pirates pose as champions after defending the Northwest Connecticut District 6 Majors Little League title.
THOMASTON — The Canaan Pirates are champions once more.
In the Northwest Connecticut District 6 Majors Little League title game Friday, June 13, the Pirates defeated Thomaston JRC Transportation by a score of 6-2.
Brody Ohler pitched a two-hitter for Canaan. Milo Ellison relieved him, facing one batter who flew out to right field where Ben Young secured the final out.
Canaan never trailed in the game against top-ranked Thomaston, which lost one game all season prior to the championship. Both JRC losses came from the Pirates, with players aged 10 to 12 from Cornwall, Falls Village, Kent, Norfolk, North Canaan, Salisbury and Sharon.
Milo Ellison played second base before relieving pitcher Brody Ohler.Photo by Riley Klein
In the title game at Reeves Field in Thomaston, the Pirates started strong with a lead in the top of the first inning. Ohler singled, then stole second base. Liam Downey brought him home with a single, then Sam Hahn doubled to put runners on second and third. Ellison brought them both home with a triple and the Pirates took a 3-0 lead.
The margin held until the sixth inning when the Pirates extended their lead to 6-0. With J.T. Farr and Bentley King on, Ohler sent a deep shot to center field and rounded the bases for an in-the-park home run.
In the bottom of the sixth, Ohler surrendered two runs before reaching his pitch limit. Ellison stepped in to end the game with some help from Young in right field.
The Pirates piled on Young in the outfield chanting “Benny! Benny!” The two sides shook hands in the spirit of sportsmanship before trophies were awarded.
The Pirates rejoice around Ben Young after he secured the final out.Photo by Riley Klein
After winning the District 6 title for the second straight year, Coach Tom Downey said "It feels awesome. Especially this group who worked really hard. Last year we were dominant, this year these guys worked their butts off."
"We definitely earned it," said third baseman Michael Prisco.
Ohler finished with nine strikeouts on the mound, three hits in three at bats, two RBI and a home run. Ellison hit 1-for-2 with two RBI, Liam Downey went 1-for-3 with an RBI, Sam Hahn and J.T. Farr hit 1-for-3 and Sam Hamlin hit 1-for-2.
For Thomaston, Owen H. hit 1-for-2 with two RBI and Lucas K. hit 1-for-2. The pitching trio of Gavin M., Jackson Ether and Brody Conlon combined for 12 strikeouts.
J.T. Farr and Brody Ohler are back-to-back District 6 champions.Photo by Riley Klein
NORTH CANAAN — The Canaan Red Sox ended the season with a thrilling 14-13 win over the Tri-Town Phillies Thursday, June 12.
Canaan trailed for most of the game but kept it close. Ultimately, the Red Sox secured the victory with a final-inning comeback in front of the home crowd at Steve Blass Field.
The Red Sox rejoiced as victors. Reflecting on the season, Coach Nikki Blass stated, “My boys continue to come off the field smiling and doing better than the game before.”
The Red Sox are part of the Northwest Connecticut Steve Blass Little League AAA program, consisting of players aged 9 to 11 from Cornwall, Falls Village, Kent, Norfolk, North Canaan, Salisbury and Sharon. Tri-Town includes players from Goshen, Litchfield, Morris and Warren.
Berkley Karcheski connects for a Red Sox hit June 12.Photo by Simon Markow
The result June 12 marked the first win of the season for the Red Sox. The night before, Coach Nikki Blass reassured her team with a letter, writing, “You should keep your heads high and know that you are all an asset to this team. Tomorrow we are clearing the slate and we will win.” She continued, “I hear in addition if you put a bat under your bed you get an amazing hit on game day.”
The bat trick paid off and many Red Sox logged hits in the game. “Everyone was on fire,” exclaimed Blass after the game.
Quinn McKniff pitched the majority of the match for Canaan with reliever Myles Shippa taking the mound for the final inning.
Blaze Freund heads for home.Photo by Simon Markow
Offensively, Blaze Freund logged his first hit of the season. His twin brother Roan scored after sliding head-first into home “Pete Rose-style.” Myles Shippa recorded an RBI double in the game.
The Red Sox gathered beneath the scoreboard for a team photo after the win. With wide smiles and baseballs held high, the players ended another joyous Little League season.
Written by Riley Klein with reporting from Simon Markow.
The Red Sox conclude the 2025 season with a win.Photo provided
State Rep. Maria Horn (D-64) was treated for her injuries at Sharon Hospital.
The day after concluding what has been described as a grueling legislative session, State Rep. Maria Horn (D-64) had a running accident, leaving her with a broken pelvis and collarbone among other more minor bruises and abrasions. Despite the injuries, she is in good spirits and recuperating at home, eager to get back on her feet.
Horn said after spending weeks in the assembly hall, she was eager to get some outdoor exercise in, but perhaps pushed a little too hard too soon. She said she was excited to get a run in on the morning of Friday, June 6, but was still exhausted from her time in Hartford and in the final stretch of recovering from a meniscus repair surgery in December.
Before the run, she told friends she was hoping for a “hard reset for [her] health,” she said with a rueful laugh.
Nearing the end of the loop, Horn said her leg was fatigued and gave out, causing her to fall on the pavement. She is grateful for the community members who helped during the ordeal, including an unknown motorist who waited with her until her husband arrived, and the staff at Sharon Hospital who she said were “wonderful.”
She was directed to keep weight off her hip for 4 to 6 weeks, and since her collarbone is also fractured, cannot use crutches so she’s partially wheelchair-bound for the time being. While she’s disappointed to be missing out on the start of hiking, biking and running season, she’s keeping her sights forward and focusing on recovery.
In the meantime, she said she’s grateful for the video and photo updates from her son, who is hiking the Connecticut portion of the Appalachian Trail: “I’m living vicariously through him.”
Milo Ellison sends a fly ball to left field, bringing home Brody Ohler and Sam Hahn in a walk-off win for the Canaan Pirates June 11.
NORTH CANAAN — The Canaan Pirates advanced to the league championship after a comeback victory over the Tri-Town Red Sox Wednesday, June 11.
Down 3-2 with two outs and two on in the bottom of the 6th inning, "Mighty" Milo Ellison stepped up to the plate and launched a fly ball deep to left field. The single brought home Brody Ohler and Sam Hahn for a walk-off Pirates win.
"Milo did it," shouted a teammate. "Let's hear it for Milo!"
Elite pitching from both sides kept the game close. Starter Sam Hahn pitched five and one-third innings for the Pirates and recorded 10 strikeouts. For the Red Sox, Joey B. struck out 11 batters over five innings.
Sam Hahn threw 10 strikeouts for the Pirates against the Tri-Town Red Sox June 11.Photo by Riley Klein
Milo Ellison led the Pirates offensively, batting 2-for-3 with one run and three RBI. Sam Norbit logged an RBI and went 1-for-2 at the plate for Canaan.
"Nothing like a walk-off," said a spectator after the Pirates won 4-3.
Canaan, which includes players aged 10-12 from the six Region One towns and Norfolk, will face top-ranked JRC Transportation in the Northwest Connecticut District 6 Little League title game.
The Pirates rejoice after winning the Northwest Connecticut District 6 Little League semifinal game.Photo by Riley Klein
The Pirates are the reigning champs of District 6 and have a 10-2 record this season. Brody Ohler, who pitched the win in last year's championship, is expected to start on the mound once again for Canaan.
JRC Transportation led the league this season with a record of 11-1. Canaan delivered JRC its lone loss 1-0 on May 27, but JRC defeated Canaan 15-4 in the June 6 rematch.
The championship will be played at Reeves Field in Thomaston Friday, June 13, at 6 p.m.
The Northwest Connecticut Steve Blass Little League Majors Pirates have a chance to go back-to-back in District 6.Photo by Riley Klein