When Anthony Bourdain Invited Obama to Dinner... in Hanoi

[babylonsister]

https://www.thedailybeast.com/when-anthony-bourdain-invited-obama-to-dinner-in-hanoi?ref=home

When Anthony Bourdain Invited Obama to Dinner... in Hanoi
WHAT COULD GO WRONG?
Finding a funky restaurant was easy. Finding one the Secret Service would approve? Not so much. Then the AC broke. Would this meal happen or not?
Tom Vitale
Published Oct. 03, 2021 4:57AM ET

snip//

“Make sure to get a good picture I can tweet,” Tony called as Zach and I squeezed through the crowd of security personnel and bureaucrats on our way downstairs to film an entrance shot. We got into position just in time. Seeing President Obama walk through the restaurant’s front door, everyone erupted into applause. He grinned ear to ear, waving back.

I can only describe what I felt as sort of a surreal, even out-of- body experience. It was almost like I wasn’t actually there. Ironically, it felt more like I was watching the whole thing on TV.

I stood behind Zach as the president walked right past us with a big smile and a nod. Arrival shot in the can, Zach and I squeezed our way back up the staircase, which was now even more crowded with people. Zach got through first, then just as I reached the top of the stairs, the president moved through the narrow hallway landing from the holding room to the camera room. As I learned, when the president is on the move there’s no time to say, “Please stand back.” The Secret Service just pushes you out of the way. I started to fall backward down the stairs, but fortunately, in addition to pushers, they also have catchers.

I arrived in the dining room unharmed, and it was decided I would be the one to put the microphone on the president. He was relaxed, friendly, and kind enough to not mention anything about my trembling hands. In the dining room were fifteen local Vietnamese in the background filling the tables, Tony sitting with President Obama, the three cameras, and I stood just next to the table. Jared was by the door next to the president’s head Secret Service guy. The official White House photographer came in a few times to snap some pics. And that was it. The experience was unbelievably intimate.

“I feel a little awkward sitting in front of all this good food with you guys standing there working. Did you get something to eat?” President Obama asked before starting the scene. He was one of the few people in the thousands we’d filmed who inquired if the crew was hungry.
Courtesy Tom Vitale

This is an adapted excerpt from IN THE WEEDS: Around the World and Behind the Scenes with Anthony Bourdain by Tom Vitale to be published October 5, by Hachette Books. ©2021 Tom Vitale and reprinted by permission from Hachette Books.

[Hortensis]

1. Thanks, Babylon. This is obviously going to be a good book.

"They have catchers too." Who knew? I have a couple of Bourdain's own and am going to have to read this.

[babylonsister]

2. You're welcome.

Should be good; two of my favorite people!

[IcyPeas]

3. this episode was one of the best - not just because of the President - the entire episode was fantas

fantastic and touching.