The Original White House Cook Book: Cooking, Etiquette, Menus and More from the Executive Estate - 1887 Edition

Initially published in 1887, The Original White House Cook Book is a cooking compendium penned by F. L. Gillette and Hugo Ziemann. The book is comprised of recipes, cooking techniques, etiquette instruction, household care, and cleanliness tips used in the White House. This historic book includes recipes by the first ladies Martha Washington, Mary Todd Lincoln, and many others, as well as historic menus for special occasions like Grant’s Birthday and Washington’s Wedding.

The book was compiled using the knowledge gained by Gillette in her years of cooking, as well as Ziemann’s term as a White House steward and caterer. It rapidly became a bestseller after its publication and an essential cookbook in kitchens across America.

The Original White House Cook Book includes more than five hundred recipes for soups, meats, vegetables, pastas, desserts, sandwiches, and more. Additionally, it includes hundreds of tips and tricks as well as a foreword written by John Moeller, White House chef from 1992 to 2005.

F. L. Gillette dedicated her life to cooking and housekeeping. Although some have speculated that Gillette never actually visited the White House, Gillette wrote the book predicting it would become popular due to the contemporary state of America’s economy. She resided in Washington, DC.

Hugo Ziemann—a White House steward, internationally recognized restaurateur, and accomplished chef—contributed a portion to the book, adding to its credibility and validity. He resided in Washington, DC.

John Moeller was born in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. As a chef, he worked in the Washington, DC area until starting as a White House chef under President Bush in September of 1992. He subsequently continued for eight years with President Clinton and five years with President Bush until December 2005. In the summer of 2010, he relocated back to Lancaster to start his own business, State of Affairs Catering and authored his first book Dining at the White House, which was released in September 2013.