D.C. party planners must be in a frenzy, searching for new caterers and chefs. The Obama presidency promises to shake up the old, butter-heavy French and Southern/Texas cooking traditions favored by a number of former White House occupants. Food writer Marian Burros writes on The Caucus, the New York Times’ politics blog, that D.C. hostesses would be wise to first contact Anita Ellis if they want an insider’s take on the president-elect’s healthy eating habits.

Writers Burros:

After feeding him for the last 18 months at Washington events, Ms. Ellis, co-owner of Avalon, a union catering company here, appears to have a pretty clear idea.

“He’s remarkably careful,” she said. “He doesn’t like sweets that much but fish, fish, fish, some chicken and things with spice. He will eat hamburger occasionally. He’s a very, very healthy eater and does like Italian food.”