We ate with Clinton and Obama: gastronomic adventures in Mobile, Alabama
If you look at it from 2 degrees of separation, we had dinner with the Clinton’s and actually beat the Obama’s to the table. “Why?” you may be asking. Well, just 2 nights ago as we ran into Mobile, Alabama, we knew we were being supported with a stay at an incredible B and B called the Berney Fly Bed & Breakfast.
“We are looking forward for Matt and Stephanie staying with us. I have made some phone calls and sent out e-mails to many of the News media, radio, Newspapers, and T.V. to invite them to a reception. My friend Vincent Henderson, a chef, who cooked for President Clinton and Hillary for special events in The White House, who will be cooking for Barak Obama for special event in January, and holds the world’s record for the largest banquet served under one roof in less than 45 minutes, 12,403. He has provided food and will be cooking for the reception.
The running club would like to join Matt and Stephanie for a jog on Sunday morning. Were they planning to jog on Sunday from the B & B? The running club, Port City Pacers, would join them if they are running on Sunday, because they have a race on Saturday morning. Please let me know.”
Merry Christmas,
Steven Flaskerud
Innkeeper
And so it was that the B & B Founder, Inock and his partner, Stephen organized the most incredible “small reception” for when we arrived that we have EVER experienced – we’re still reeling from it!! We thought it was amazing enough be staying at another 18th century character house, fully and painstakingly restored back to her former glory by, Inock (an ex military veteran with an amazing story), to now serve as Bed and Breakfast luxury in the heart of Mobile. But no, it got even better.
This is where the political royalty stepped in.
After being photographed running into Mobile and then interviewing with the Mobile Press Register that Steven had arranged, not to mention a much anticipated post-run shower, we were treated like political royalty by way of being the “guests of honor” for the best meal we’d ever restored calories from! As mentioned above, Inock and Steven are friends with Vincent Henderson, who has built a solid reputation keeping Bill and Hillary Clinton gastronomically satisfied for their terms at the big white house at the end of Pennsylvania Avenue. We were treated to an array of southern cooked staples like Gumbo, shrimp Creole and potato salad fit for a President. We were happy to learn that Vincent is about to make a triumphant return to Washington and once again, keep Barack and Michelle Obama healthy and gastronomically satisfied too!
And if you can believe it, who was one of the guests who joined us, but a couple – Benji & Nick – who’d traveled all the way from our home turf in North Vancouver on holiday. Ah, memories of home and new friends!
A massive thank you goes out to Inock, and Steven for your hospitality and generosity. We also want Vincent to know that if he ever needs 3 Canadians to taste test any new recipes before he presents to the new crew in that big white house at the end of Pennsylvania Avenue