Former White House Chefs Cook At Silver Lake Nature Center

Former White House chefs were the focus of a fundraiser at the Silver Lake Nature Center in Bristol Township on Saturday.

The day’s events began with a mingling session where attendees sampled food from local restaurants. Former White House chefs Guy Mitchell of Middletown and Michael “Woody” Raber of New Jersey then hosted a question and answer session while regaling attendees with entertaining stories from their time cooking for the nation’s top leaders.

Three attendees who won chances to sit at the chef’s table got to try the dishes the chefs produced: filet with demi-glace, Chilean sea bass, and chicken Marco Polo.

The fundraiser sold out one month in advance and will benefit preservation of the county-run nature center, according to PattiAnn Cutter, the public relations and marketing director of the nature center.

The afternoon event enjoyed support from local businesses in addition to a packed room of event attendees. Itri Wood Fired Pizza, Chuck’s BBQ, Golden Eagle Diner, and other area eateries donated food to the event. Basket raffles and chances to sit at the chef’s table were sold at the beginning of the festivities.

Between the two of the chefs, the duo has served in the White House, vice president’s residence at 1 Observatory Circle, Pentagon, and served presidents and first families on trips domestically and overseas.

Mitchell and Raber, who still advise the White House kitchen, told tales from their duties serving presidents and their trips around the globe. The audience seemed to soak in the stories, cooking lessons, and laughed at many of them. The chefs were also displaying memorabilia from their years on duty and had varying souvenirs for sale.

The two chefs are part of the White House Chef Tour, which includes five total former White House chefs who perform at different events including fundraisers and personal events and parties.

Although there is no definite date set, Silver Lake Nature Center plan to have the White House Chef Tour back for another fundraiser, organizers said.