Air Force One Food Has Official Flavor

The meat loaf a la Ronnie is sometimes a laughing matter, but the cuisine aboard Air Force One generally rates moderate to rave reviews.

“We had poached chicken breast the other day,” said Susanne Schafer of the Associated Press White House team. “Terrific. But the meat loaf can be pretty heavy duty.”

The meat loaf, a favorite with President Reagan, has been the subject of some scientific speculation among the press pool at the back of the plane. It was wondered whether the presidential plat du jour or a cannonball, dropped from the top of the Washington Monument, would reach the ground first.

Speakes Apologizes for Remark

Former White House spokesman Larry Speakes spoke up only to learn that his input had nettled the Air Force stewards, sensitive artists like all chefs. So he issued a formal retraction that fell just short of asking for a second helping.

“Some journalists avoid the press pool and ride the accompanying commercial charter, thinking the food is better, but that is not always the case. I remember steaks for breakfast on Air Force One,” said Frank Cormier, who covered five Presidents, beginning with John F. Kennedy, for the Associated Press.

“I like to watch the steward turning that pan of scrambled eggs at the same angle as the plane lifting out of Andrews,” said AP photographer Scott Applewhite. “And they’re great on eggs Benedict.”

Meals nowadays can come at odd hours. “The President’s cure for jet lag is to set his watch for the time zone of his destination as soon as he comes aboard, and then eat whatever meal the time change calls for,” said Dale Nelson of the AP’s White House staff.

Charles Palmer, who just retired as chief steward after 13 years on Air Force One, used to provision Air Force One by donning civvies and pushing a grocery cart up the aisles of the Giant or Safeway supermarket in the vicinity of Andrews AFB.

Pick Up Some Food Abroad

“On foreign trips we try to be self-sufficient,” said Palmer, “but we sometimes drop into an embassy or a PX commissary to restock perishables. Basically, we buy American, which doesn’t rule out picking up fresh lobsters or good wines at a stop abroad.”

Lyndon B. Johnson insisted on a fresh bottle of soda water to cut his Cutty Sark at cocktail time, and once angrily berated Master Sgt. Joe Ayres, Palmer’s predecessor, for running out of diet root beer.

The itinerary may play a part in menu planning. “Going to Seattle usually means great salmon or crab, and Omaha is good for big juicy steaks,” said AP photographer Scott Stewart.