Kitchen goddess Giada De Laurentiis is headed to town for the Metropolitan Cooking and Entertaining Show next week, and even though her visit comes two days before the presidential election, she’s keeping her schedule 100 percent politics-free.
The only politician she plans to see is Abraham Lincoln — her daughter wants to see a photo of mom with “big Abe” at the Lincoln Memorial. Though De Laurentiis has cooked for royalty (Prince William and Duchess Catherine at a charity polo match in July), she has never cooked for an American elected official. And unlike many other cooking shows, including those on the Food Network, De Laurentiis has not showcased any of Michelle Obama’s healthy-food initiatives on “Giada at Home” or “Everyday Italian.”
“I don’t think the push for healthy eating has affected my show as much as becoming a mother has,” she told Yeas & Nays. “I am always looking to give parents healthy options to feed their kids as well.”
De Laurentiis is less interested in calling on Congress than she is in dropping in on Mike Isabella (“his truffle gnocchi are to die for”) or visiting BlackSalt Fish Market and Restaurant. “[D.C.] is a great place to be if you are a foodie,” she said.
She adds that politics don’t make much of a difference in the culinary world — chefs aren’t exactly watching the presidential race with bated breath. “Food is one thing we can all enjoy together,” she said. “Let’s keep the donkeys and elephants out of the kitchen, OK?”
The Metropolitan Cooking Show takes place Nov. 3 and 4.
