Equinox owner and chef Todd Gray was on his way back from Watershed, his second restaurant (which is scheduled to open next month) when he received a text from his assistant telling him that the first lady Michelle Obama’s office had called for him.
“So, I’m riding in the car and we’re talking about plans for the restaurant and I’m thinking, excuse me guys but people at the White House are trying to reach me,” Gray laughs. After getting in touch with Mrs. Obama’s office, Gray learned that Thursday’s lunch service was going to be anything but ordinary.
Not only was the first lady coming in, but she was bringing the first lady of Mexico, Margarita Zavala de Calderon, with her. “It always makes you feel special when the president or the first lady or both come to see you because you feel like you were the chosen restaurant of the moment or of the day and that’s a real honor,” Gray tells Yeas & Nays.
Even though this is the second time the first lady has dined at his restaurant located in downtown D.C. (her first visit was with President Obama for her birthday two years ago), Gray admits to us, on this occasion, he was definitely excited.
“I was back there [in the kitchen] and I thought to myself, I’m never nervous … but what if something goes wrong? When you look around and see all of the Secret Service here and you always wonder what if a sprinkler head blows over the table, or the ladies bathroom overflows or a fire alarm goes off?” Gray pauses “Fire alarm, gosh, I don’t like that word anymore.” then continues, “that could get a little interesting, but thankfully, it never does.”
Gray confidently prepared several beautiful dishes for his distinguished guests, including the Jerusalem artichoke gnocchi, Lezlee Westine’s pulled chicken salad, two sides of the macaroni and cheese, and the lemon ricotta fritters for dessert.
The First Ladies, who were joined by two translators and another female guest, ate and chatted for just over an hour. After their meal, Mrs. Obama talked with Todd and his wife Ellen about the Chefs Move! to School, a part of the first lady’s Let’s Move campaign, which Gray is actively involved in. They even have time for a little motherly chat about lacrosse and soccer.
That’s what we call well done.
