Kamala Harris Batch-Cooked for Doug While VP
Kamala Harris Shares Insights on Cooking, Diplomacy, and Life as a Vice President
Kamala Harris, the former US Vice President, has shared some fascinating personal stories about her life, including how she managed to keep her husband fed during her frequent travels. The 61-year-old politician revealed that she often had to batch cook for her husband, Doug Emhoff, while she was away on official duties.
Harris served as Joe Biden’s deputy from 2021 to 2025 and was frequently seen traveling abroad for state visits. During these times, her husband remained in the United States Naval Observatory, the official residence of the Vice President in Washington DC. She explained that her staff would accompany her on these trips, leaving no one to prepare meals for Emhoff.
To ensure he had something to eat, Harris resorted to cooking large batches of Bolognese, which she would freeze for later use. She described this process as a practical solution to a common problem. “As vice president of the United States, I made a few times a big pot of Bolognese to freeze containers so that my husband could eat when I was doing the business of the United States of America,” she said.
In a conversation with River Cafe boss Ruth Rogers, Harris mentioned that Emhoff, who is often referred to as “America’s first second gentleman,” learned to cook during the pandemic. “He's an apprentice,” she said. Emhoff added that he had to learn out of necessity after almost burning down their apartment. “I got a little bit better,” he said.
Harris also took a moment to criticize the current administration’s approach to state banquets. She emphasized the importance of these events in diplomacy, calling them a form of “soft power.” “Let’s break bread. It’s such a beautiful act of love. It is a gesture of kindness. It is a gesture of caring,” she said.
She also shared her hands-on involvement in planning state dinners when Biden was in office. “I would work with my Social Secretary and plan the menus. Every one of them, though, pretty much, I participated in planning,” she said. Harris noted that she would often go into the White House kitchen to teach chefs techniques, especially during formal dinners.
Harris even shared her recipe for the Bolognese she used to make for her husband. She described starting with frying pancetta in her favorite Le Creuset pot, followed by a mirepoix of onion, celery, and carrot. She added garlic later to prevent it from burning and then mixed beef and pork into the pan.
One of her key secrets was adding milk before wine. “I am of the school that you should do the milk first,” she said. She also included sage, thyme, and bay leaves. “My bay leaf tree is just the most beautiful thing you have ever seen. I bring bay leaves to people as gifts.”
Harris then added white wine and a combination of tomato paste and San Marzano tomatoes. She cooked the dish for five hours on low heat until it was ready. However, she revealed that she didn’t serve traditional spaghetti with her Bolognese. “I usually do linguini. I don't do spaghetti. I like a flat pasta. I do penne a lot, too,” she said.
Her recipe, which she dubbed “Kamala Harris's World Famous Bolognese,” highlights not only her culinary skills but also her attention to detail and passion for food. Harris, who has not ruled out another presidential run, continues to be a prominent figure in American politics and culture.
