You would think that having the President of the United States, the First Lady and 250 guests over for dinner would make any chefreallynervous. Well, not if you’reWhite Street N.Y.C.’s executive chefFloyd Cardoz.

“We’re going to cook our asses off,” Cardoz toldGrub Streetabout the dinner he’s preparing for a Democratic fundraiser on Tuesday night. “Because how often do you get to have the president in the same zip code as you, let alone the same space?”

The formerTop Chef Masterswinner is preparing a meal of Long Island fluke, short-rib dish with grits, pumpkin-ricotta soup and a chickpea cake with avocado.

When creating the menu, Cardoz didn’t tailor his dishes specifically for President Obama’s palate (no burgers and fries here!), but tried to respectMichelle Obama’s healthy-eating initiative.

“I want him to understand that my philosophy is pretty close to his philosophy, and want to showcase what we do at White Street,” he said of the downtown New York spot he opened last month.

Cardoz even revealed that he’s not including any cream or butter in his dishes for the night. But that doesn’t mean they will let the guests leave without a sweet treat.

“We’re going to get every guest to leave with a bag of cookies,” he said. “I’ve asked for chocolate-chip cookies because that’s what I like. No nuts.”

If your invitation got lost in the mail (ticketsranged from $1,000 to $25,000), you can still have a taste of presidential flavor. Cardoz shared the soup recipe he’s whipping up for the glamorous event tonight.

Spiced Pumpkin Soup

Serves 6-8

4 tbsp. canola oil1 tsp. coriander, roughly ground3 pieces allspice, roughly pounded2 cloves, roughly pounded½ tsp. cumin, roughly pounded3 cloves of garlic, smashed1 cup each onions, carrots and celery root, diced1 inch. ginger, peeled and spiced½ tsp. turmeric1 large Mutsu or Granny Smith apple, peeled and diced2 qt. vegetable stock2 cups roasted pumpkin puree2 tbsp. apple cider vinegar½ tsp. each freshly ground black pepper and salt

1.Place a large stew pot over moderate heat. Add the canola oil and heat until it shimmers.

2.Add all roughly pounded spices and cook for 1-2 minutes. Add garlic, onion, carrots, celery root, ginger and turmeric. Continue to cook until soft and tender. Add apples and the vegetable stock and bring up to a boil.

3.Add the pumpkin puree, cider vinegar, salt and pepper and cook until vegetables are soft. Puree in a blender and strain through a soup strainer.

4.Season with salt and pepper. Garnish with diced candied ginger, seasoned ricotta and toasted pumpkin seeds, if desired.

—Ana Calderone

[

source: people.com