A little more than two weeks ago, White House officials contacted Mayor Luke Ravenstahl, Allegheny County Executive Dan Onorato and other officials with two questions: Would they be interested in hosting an international event and could they keep it a secret? ...
White House officials said they focused on Pittsburgh because of the city's economic recovery from the decline of the steel industry in the 1980s, and because of its leadership in environmentally friendly buildings. The administration also is funding research on solar window panels under development for office buildings by PPG Industries.
Omitted from the story was the obvious, key connection to President Obama's fondness for the distinctive pancakes produced by Pamela's:
Ms. Klingensmith and Ms. Cohen were summoned from Pittsburgh to President Barack Obama's kitchen in the White House this weekend to make their famous, savory, crepe-thin pancakes for a Memorial Day breakfast for the president, First Lady Michelle Obama and 80 veterans.
Mr. Obama was introduced to the legendary flapjacks when he dropped in to the diner's Strip District location in April 2008 during the presidential Democratic primary race.
My prediction from a couple of years ago turns out to have an unexpected valence: The key to Pittsburgh's prominence really does lie in our stomachs and in our kitchen. Back then, I wrote: "If we bake it, will they come?" It turns out that they will. It's no surprise, I think, that the President is a member of the Cupcake Class!
