Table Set for a Dinner Honoring German Chancellor

This photograph, taken by Eric Draper on November 9, 2007, shows a table set for a social dinner hosted by President George W. Bush in honor of Chancellor Angela Merkel of Germany and her husband, Joachim Sauer. The dinner was held at the Prairie Chapel Ranch, the president's home near Crawford, Texas. At the dinner, guests dined on citrus and arugula salad, pecan-smoked beef tenderloin, a green chili-cheese grits soufflé, and Prairie Chapel pecan pie served with Blue Bell ice cream. Food preparations were overseen by chef Matthew Wendel. Wendel became acquainted with the Bush family in 1995, while working as a waiter-caterer at the Governor's Mansion in Austin, Texas. After Bush was elected president in 2000, Wendel continued to serve the first family during visits to Camp David and the Prairie Chapel Ranch. Wendel's duties included cooking meals for the family, and ensuring the homes were ready for the arrival of the first family or their distinguished guests.