Washington, D.C. – Chairman Roy Blunt, on behalf of the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies, today announced the menu and details for the 2017 Inaugural Luncheon, which will follow the swearing-in ceremonies of Donald J. Trump and Michael R. Pence.
The luncheon, hosted by the members of the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies, has been a tradition for more than a century. Approximately 200 guests including the President, Vice President, members of their families, the Supreme Court, Cabinet Member-designates, and Members of Congressional leadership will attend the event in Statuary Hall.
“The Inaugural Luncheon provides an opportunity for members of both parties to come together and, in the same spirit of all our Inaugural events, show the world how uniquely American we are in our peaceful transfer of power,” Blunt said. “I’m looking forward to welcoming all of the luncheon guests to the Capitol, and I thank all of the staff members who have had a hand in preparing for this wonderful event.”
The menu was created by members of the Joint Committee along with Design Cuisine, a catering company based in Arlington, Virginia. The wines that are to be served during the luncheon are from Leader Pelosi and Leader McCarthy’s home state of California. The wines were made by several of the Golden State’s prominent winemakers, and complement the flavors in each of the luncheon dishes.
The 2017 Inaugural Luncheon Menu
First Course:
- Maine Lobster and Gulf Shrimp with Saffron Sauce and Peanut Crumble
- J. Lohr 2013 Arroyo Vista Chardonnay
Second Course:
- Grilled Seven Hills Angus Beef with Dark Chocolate and Juniper Jus and Potato Gratin
- Delicato Black Stallion 2012 Limited Release Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
Third Course:
- Chocolate Soufflé and Cherry Vanilla Ice Cream
- Korbel Natural “Special Inaugural Cuvée” California Champagne
The floral arrangements were designed by Jill Medawar of Toulies en Fleur, of Woodbridge, Virginia.
On behalf of the Congress and the American people, the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies will present the President and Vice President of the United States with hand-cut, etched crystal bowls created by Lenox exclusively for the 2017 Inaugural Luncheon. The bowl crafted for the President features an illustration of the White House on one side and the Jefferson Memorial on the other. The Vice President’s bowl features an illustration of the U.S. Capitol on one side and the Lincoln Memorial on the other. Each bowl has a compass rose cut into the base that aligns with the cardinal directions of the illustrations. Both bowls rest on black cherry wood bases with inscriptions of the date and occasion engraved onto silver plaques. The bowls were designed by Timothy Carder, Vice President of Design for Lenox, and hand cut by master glass cutter Peter O’Rourke.
At Chairman Blunt’s invitation, the Smithsonian Chamber Players will perform during the luncheon. The Smithsonian Chamber Players was founded in 1976 as one of the first period-instrument groups of its kind in the United States. From its very inception, the ensemble toured extensively under the auspices of the Smithsonian National Associates, presenting programs of music by Haydn, Mozart, Schubert, Vivaldi, Telemann, and Johann Sebastian, Johann Christian, and Johann Christoph Friedemann Bach.
During the Inaugural Luncheon, the Smithsonian Chamber Players will play from a balcony overlooking the Luncheon. Their program will include a mixture of American repertoire pieces written for presidents, as well as some of the European compositions found in the extensive music library of Thomas Jefferson, who was a capable violinist.