Koshering the White House Kitchen

In this photograph, taken April 14, 1980, kitchen staff members and religious leaders work together to kosher the White House kitchen in preparation for a State Dinner the following day hosted by President Jimmy Carter in honor of Prime Minister Menachem Begin of Israel. As part of the process of making the White House Kitchen kosher-friendly, cooking utensils are heated with a blow torch to eliminate potential food residue. This photograph is part of the personal collection of former White House Executive Chef Henry Haller. As executive chef from 1966-1987, Haller coordinated with rabbis to kosher the Kitchen when necessary.